Regulatory officials go on farm during pesticide tour

Farm and Ranch August 7, 2009 Regulators, other government officials, lawmakers and chemical company representatives recently participated in the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration’s annual tour. Andy Jensen, Director of Research for the Washington State Potato Commission, who also serves on the Pesticide Registration Commission, says the tour included a stop in Mount Vernon at the farm of Darrin Morrison, chairman of the Potato Commission’s Research Committee.

Jensen: “Normally growers host each of the stops and the growers explain something about the crop they are talking about and discuss the major pest management issues faced by that crop. The purpose of this is to let the regulators and government officials understand to better pressures that growers face in the field and the importance of pesticides and related products for control of those problems. And it is also to help the pesticide companies understand the needs that certain crops may have so that they might be encouraged to invest the money to develop new pesticides for those crops.”

Jensen says the tour is a real eye opener for government regulators who spend most of their time in an office.

Jensen: “I think those of use involved are firmly convinced that it helps our cause and it also helps them to be more effective in their jobs as regulatory officials.”

The Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration funds research on integrated pest management and pesticide registration issues.

That’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition Today! Good health tomorrow! I’m Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.