California Department of Pesticide Regulation
News Release
June 22, 1999
DPR Awards More Than $700,000 to Reduce Pesticide Risks and Use
SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation
today announced $737,000 in Pest Management Alliance grants to
fund 10 large-scale projects aimed at reducing the use of
high-risk pesticides in the growing of cotton, tree fruit,
almonds, rice, walnuts, sugar beets, seeds, and cut flowers.
This is the second year of the Alliance program, which is
designed to encourage industry-wide adoption of pest management
techniques that reduce pesticide risks to workers, consumers, and
the environment. In these public-private alliances, the grant
recipients provide matching funds equal to the DPR grant. Last
year, the Alliance awarded eight major grants that ranged up to
$100,000 each.
Among the 10 recipients of this year's grants are four projects
from last year that will receive another year of funding to
continue their innovative work.
"I am especially pleased at the quality of the projects that
received second-year funding," said DPR Director Paul E.
Helliker. "Their projects demonstrate reduced-risk pest
control practices that are economical--and that work.
"For example, almond and prune growers are getting together
to learn about innovative pest management methods, walnut growers
are evaluating and demonstrating regional reduced-risk practices,
and pear growers are applying innovative methods learned in one
area to crops in other parts of the state. Typically, Alliance
groups focus on communicating information through demonstrations,
field days, and publications about reduced-risk practices."
Helliker said that the new Alliance participants would show the
same commitment to implementing alternative methods to the use of
conventional pesticides. "They have a great incentive to
succeed," Helliker said. "Farmers are being pressured
to find alternatives to conventional pesticides, and are willing
to put up their own money to help do it. Beyond our grants, we
help the Alliance participants by giving them technical advice on
what has worked*and what hasn't*with other crops."
Four groups received Alliance funding for the second year:
-- The Walnut Marketing Board, based in Sacramento, to continue
development of a project designed to encourage adoption of
reduced-risk pest management strategies in walnuts statewide.
($65,750)
-- The Almond Board of California, based in Modesto, to promote a
reduced-risk system of almond production through use of
alternative products and practices, on-site demonstrations, and
grower education. ($98,976 )
-- The California Prune Board, based in Pleasanton, to expand and
strengthen existing reduced-risk pest management strategies and
improve communication and cooperation among different segments of
the industry. ($92,727)
-- The California Pear Advisory Board, based in Sacramento, to
establish a pheromone-based insect management project with new
growers in Lake, Mendocino, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties.
($100,000)
Six groups are first-time Alliance participants:
-- The California Cotton Growers Association, based in Fresno, to
encourage adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies
by improving outreach and field evaluation in Pima and Upland
cotton. ($100,000 )
-- The California Beet Growers Association, based in Stockton, to
improve integrated management of insect pests in sugar beets.
($88,841)
-- The California Cut Flower Commission, based in Watsonville, to
demonstrate and implement a reduced-risk pest management strategy
in fresh cut roses. ($85,000)
-- The California Seed Association, based in Sacramento, to
develop an alfalfa seed pest management implementation training
program for the central San Joaquin Valley. ($55,000)
-- The California Tree Fruit Agreement, Reedley, for a project to
evaluate and implement sustainable pest management practices for
key insect pests in clingstone canning and fresh market peaches,
plums and nectarines. ($31,325)
-- The California Rice Research Board, Yuba City, to develop a
reduced-risk program for control of rice water weevil and to
demonstrate program efficacy to rice growers. ($20,000)
DPR distributes grants under two major programs: the two-year-old
Alliance program, which focuses on statewide projects, and the
Innovations in Pest Management program. The latter, established
in 1996, focuses on local and regional projects. DPR has awarded
$4.3 million in grants in the two programs.
DPR is one of six boards and departments within the California
Environmental Protection Agency. DPR regulates all aspects of
pesticide sales and use, recognizing the need to control pests,
while protecting public health and the environment and fostering
reduced-risk pest management strategies.
For a list of Alliance grants with additional details and contact
names, go to
<http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pressrls/redpestrisk.htm>.
Media Contacts: Veda Federighi, Glenn Brank (916) 445-3974
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