Performing Department
Prosser Irrigated Ag Res & Ext Center
Non Technical Summary
The WSU IR-4 magnitude of pesticide residue program will assist the National IR-4 programto develop the field residue data needed by the US Environmental Protection Agency to support the regulatory approval of safe and effective conventional pesticides and biopesticides for fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, pulse, and ornamental crops as well as specialty uses on major (corn, soybean, cotton, wheat, alfalfa, etc.) crops. WSU will in tandem with national IR-4 will focustheirefforts on registration of conventional pesticides and biopesticides deemed to be oflower risk for humans and the environment while giving the specialty crop producers improved technologiesto better manage diseases, pests and weeds in a economically sustainable and environmentally sound fashion.
Animal Health Component
95%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
95%
Developmental
5%
Goals / Objectives
Food Program: Obtain regulatory approval of safe and effective pesticides for fruits, vegetables, nuts and other specialty food crops and minor uses on major food crops with an emphasis on low hazard or reduced risk products and uses that are compatible with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Annually, IR-4 will initiate about 100 multiyear residue studies consisting of 600 field trials and 50 efficacy/crop safety trials to facilitate pesticide tolerances and registrations. IR-4 will also assist specialty crops through the establishment of international Maximum Residue Levels to remove pesticide residues as a barrier to trade which allows producers better access to lucrative export markets. The need for IR-4’s services will increase with introduction of new/invasive pests, with pests becoming resistant to available pesticides, with increased need for product performance data, with increased complexity of regulatory data requirements, with internationalization of data requirements, and with emerging regulatory issues (e.g. pollinator protection).
Biopesticide/Organic Support Program: Research to enhance the development and registration of biochemical pesticides, microbial pesticides, plant incorporated protectants and other technology to manage pests for use in conventional and organic production systems. IR-4 will also assist public sector associates and small biopesticide companies by providing guidance on how to successfully navigate through EPA’s biopesticide registration process. IR-4 will also provide regulatory support for USDA deregulation of genetically modified organisms associated with plant incorporated protectants. IR-4’s intends to conduct 20 studies to determine which biopesticide(s) exhibit potential to manage critical pests and provide regulatory support for at least two project, annually. The need for IR-4’s Biopesticide Program services will increase given growing demand for a more natural approach to pest management, including organics, for the continued challenge of new pests or pests becoming resistant to available pesticides, and for emerging regulatory issues (e.g. pollinator protection) with conventional pesticides. There is also anticipation that there will be emerging biopesticides (e.g. RNAi) that will require IR-4’s assistance.
Public Health Pesticides: Provide assistance in the development/registration of pesticides and for use in controlling arthropod pests that transmit diseases to humans and minor animal species. IR-4’s activities target mosquitoes, ticks, sand flies, etc. that impact human health through vectoring diseases (e.g. West Nile virus, Lyme disease, malaria, dengue). IR-4 works with Department of Defense (DoD) and ARS to get the products registered through EPA. Specifically IR-4 will identify and assist in the evaluation of underutilized pesticides with vector control relevance, will evaluate novel products and technology developed for registration feasibility and regulatory data needs, will provide regulatory consulting services for public sector collaborators leading towards EPA registrations and will collaborate with international to facilitate global development of new technology.
Project Methods
Field research plots will be established under defined protocols that will be provided by study directors located at Rutgers University. The food product that has been treated in compliance with the provided protocols will be shipped to the assigned analytical laboratory for residue analysis. All work will be completed in compliance with EAP-mandated good laboratory practices.