CropLife America Supports New EPA-Led Scientific Review Process on Pollinator Health
11 September 2012 CropLife America (CLA), the national trade association representing the developers, manufacturers and distributors of crop protection products, welcomes review of the “Proposed Risk Assessment Process for Bees” by EPA’s Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP).
Meeting on September 11-14, the FIFRA SAP will conduct a rigorous review of a proposed tiered process for quantitatively evaluating the potential risks crop protection products pose to honeybees. Bee health is determined by multiple factors — including nutrition, genetics, weather, hive management, diseases, and parasites; pesticides constitute only one potential factor. Establishing a deeper understanding of these factors and how they impact bee health is vital to agriculture.
“CropLife America and our members support the EPA’s effort to increase the scientific basis for assessing any potential impacts of pesticides on honeybees and other pollinators,” said Dr. Barbara Glenn, senior vice president of science & regulatory affairs with CLA. “Sound and validated science is at the core of our industry’s innovative technologies. We strive to find new ways to partner with regulators and researchers to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of both the benefits and potential impact brought by crop protection products.”
The work of pollinators, including honeybees, is extremely important to the farmers and growers of the United States. It is estimated that one-third of all foods and beverages are made possible by pollinators, accounting for nearly $20 billion in agricultural production each year. A decline in managed honeybee colonies puts great pressure on our nation’s agricultural industry.
For more information about CLA and the crop protection industry visit www.croplifemerica.org.
Source: CropLife America, Edited by FCI Staff
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