IPMA President’s Message

Our December 2022 Pest Expo and Twin Falls Education day were very well attended and I want to thank all who participated!  

One of the topics was Paul Castrovillo’s update on the Emerald Ash Borer.  As most of you know, the Emerald Ash Borer has recently been found west of the Rocky Mountains.  In June it was spotted in a park in Forest Grove, OR.  Oregon Department of Ag has been working diligently with monitoring as well as working with a biocontrol to help eradicate the population.  This pest has been devastating to trees in other parts of the country and is something that we’ll have to keep a close watch for here in Idaho.

We did learn of some good news for our industry.  On September 28^th, California governor, Gavin Newsom, vetoed House Bill 2146, which would’ve prohibited the use of all neonicotinoid pesticides for all non-agricultural uses. Newsom stated that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation has already taken significant steps to restrict neonicotinoid uses, based on scientific review and documented uses that pose the greatest risk to pollinators and human health. It is great to see the governor defend the authority of the department and stand behind their findings and opinions.  I know this was very concerning to our industry as a whole and that it got all the way to the governor’s desk was very frustrating to thousands of people but hopefully this ruling will slow the momentum a little bit with states wanting to take quick action and not understanding the science behind the product.

We are also still monitoring the progression of H.R. Bill 7266 which was introduced this past March. If passed, this bill would amend FIFRA to prohibit local regulation of pesticide use.  This is one we must all stand behind and show our support for.  The bill is currently under review with the US House of Representatives Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research sub-committee.  More to come on this one.

I hope you all get a little bit of rest and relaxation before the start of the new season! 

Sincerely,

Pat Sherer

National Updates

Larry Treleven, IPMA Board of Director, Sprague 
The Environmental Protection Agency reviews pesticide labels every 15 years to make sure that they are relevant, effective, and meet the guidelines established by the Agency.  The big focus this year are rodenticides. The State of California passed a law severely restricting the usage of second generation rodenticides.  Since that time, other States have been considering other restrictions of these products and materials. Both at the professional level and in retail stores as well. An anti-rodenticide group has formed under the title of RATS which is Raptors are the Solution – not baits!  Obviously birds of prey are not a solution to control rodents.

There are other restrictions being considered by the EPA as well such as requiring second and third trips to a facility to retrieve any dead carcases which would significantly increase the pricing for these services.  Another label change by the Agency – EPA – is to require technicians to wear gloves when handling rodenticides and NPMA was supportive of this change, but the NPMA is NOT in favor of requiring technicians to wear respirators performing rodent control services. 

Representing the Pest Management Industry is the well-respected Jim Fredericks, PhD, who has spoken at previous Conferences that we have had in Boise.  Dr Fredericks is the “point guard” for both the manufacturers, the retail industry, and the pest management operators.  Death from hanta-virus deaths from field mouse infestations were pushing this legislation.  Idaho has had some deaths from these infestations in the past.  EPA promised the draft recommendations to be released last Spring and then delayed it until August.  It is now promised by the end of the year and IPMA will update our membership once we have some drafts to share.

Several states are introducing Bills that would limit various pesticides from usage inside their boundaries.  The primary challenge came from the State of California.  Their Bill passed both Houses in the Sacramento Legislature and sat on the Governors desk for his signature.  But Governor Newsom considered the fact that he had an agency the regulated pesticides in the State of California and did not want legislators to usurp their authority and vetoed this Bill.  Other States are considering similar legislative action as well.  But the veto in California may help to curb future political activity of this nature.

Preemption is the rule of the land with regard to pesticide regulations being administered by the various states with the EPS’s approval in the various Department of Agriculture at the state level. This procedure is in place for 44 of the 50 States.  The National Pest Management Association, under the direction of their Public Affairs Committee, did get a Bill entered to make this the normal way to enforce pesticide regulations Nationwide. Our bill was sponsored by Congressman Rodney Davis and we were successful in  getting other members of congress to sign on in support.  But Congressman Davis lost his seat in the last election cycle.  So now we have this same language in the Farm Bill which Congress will deal with in 2023 .  We will keep all of you updated on our progress in the future.  Have a great spring season.