ANLA Requests Congress to Implement FQPA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The latest in the American Nursery Landscape Association's (ANLA) efforts to manage the potential impacts of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) occurred on June 25, 1998, when ANLA member Danny Shreckhise of Shreckhise Nurseries in Virginia testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture on the FQPA implementation. Shreckhise focused on how the nursery and landscape industry may be harmed by the needless loss of critical pest management tools. He urged Congress to hold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable for implementing FQPA in the way Congress intended when the law was passed unanimously in 1996. The following is the guiding principles Shreckhise offered for FQPA implementation:

·EPA must use good science and reliable, real-world information. If such information doesn't exist now, the Agency should compel the development and submission of such information. In the interim, EPA should not use unrealistic and unreliable assumptions in its decision-making process that overestimate risk.

Growers and other users must have a seat at the table and input into the process early enough to refine actual use information; recommend risk reduction measures; and prepare, where necessary, for a smooth transition to other tools or practices.

EPA's decision-making processes must be clear and understandable to those who will be affected. Approaches to the more controversial or complex issues should be published for public review and comment.

For information on how to reach your legislative representative, or guidance on formulating a letter to Congress, contact ANLA at 202-789-2900.