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NTC EPA ANNOUNCES CHARTER MEM. OF PRO. TO PROMOTE SAFER PEST.

Release Date: 07/12/96
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NTC EPA ANNOUNCES CHARTER MEM. OF PRO. TO PROMOTE SAFER PEST.

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1996

EPA ANNOUNCES CHARTER MEMBERS OF PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SAFER PESTICIDE USE

Ten companies and associations have formally joined as Charter Supporters of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), an EPA initiative to reduce the health and environmental risks of pesticide use.
The purpose of the Stewardship Program, created in December 1994, is to encourage pesticide users in both agricultural and nonagricultural settings to join in public/private partnerships and develop approaches to pest control that are safer than traditional chemical methods. The role of the PESP "supporter" was created in response to the high level of interest expressed by groups with significant influence over pest management practices, but not directly engaged in using pesticides.

"I commend the organizations that have stepped up and made the commitment to reduce the potential risks of pesticides, said Administrator Carol M. Browner. "Ensuring food safety -- especially through safer pesticides and pesticide use -- is vital to protecting the health and environment of all Americans."

The charter supporters announced today are: Aqumix Inc., Cloverdale, Va.; Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association, San Francisco, Calif.; Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J.; Del Monte Foods, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Gempler's Inc., Mt. Horeb, Wis.; General Mills, Minneapolis, Minn.; Gerber Products Co., Fremont, Mich.; Glades Crop Care, Inc., Jupiter, Fla.; National Farm*A*Syst/ Home*A*Syst Programs, Madison, Wis.; and the United States Golf Association, Far Hills, N.J.

Organizations can join the PESP as a supporter or partner. Partners are organizations that use pesticides or represent pesticide users and agree to develop and implement formal strategies to reduce the risk of pesticides. Forty-two private organizations and the Department of Defense are partners with EPA in the PESP.

The PESP is an outgrowth of the 1993 Pesticide Risk Reduction Initiative jointly adopted by EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The two major goals of the initiative are to: 1) develop specific use/risk reduction strategies that include reliance on biological pesticides and other approaches considered to be safer than traditional chemical methods; and 2) have 75 percent of U.S. 

agricultural acreage adopt integrated pest management programs (the practice of using a variety of methods -- cultural pesticidal, biological, etc.-- to control pests) by the year 2000. The PESP focuses on risk reduction, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture is focusing on integrated pest management programs.

The list of supporter initiatives is attached. For more information, call the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Hotline at 1-800-972-7717.

R-100 

CHARTER SUPPORTERS OF EPA'S PESTICIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

° Aqumix, Inc. has developed a returnable-refillable pesticide container management program for utility right-of-way markets. The goal is to eliminate pesticide container disposal problems and encourage use of closed handling systems that will reduce exposure to workers who mix and load pesticides.
° Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association is a consortium of seven San Francisco Bay Area municipal stormwater programs, representing 89 agencies and including 78 cities and 5 counties. Its focus is on regional challenges and opportunities for preventing contamination of the San Francisco Bay and Delta by stormwater runoff containing pesticide residues.
° Campbell Soup Company adopted an innovative pesticide control program in dealing with its growers beginning in 1989. The program has involved development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce the need for synthetic pesticides, taking advantage of such innovative agricultural techniques as control with beneficial insects, insect mating confusion, computer forecasting and planting disease resistant varieties. As a result, use of synthetic pesticides by Campbell's growers has fallen by about 60 percent, and the potential for pesticide residues in finished products has been greatly reduced.
° Del Monte Foods is a major producer of processed and fresh foods. In recognition of the need to address concerns about the safety and environmental effects of agricultural chemicals, the company is involved in developing disease resistant vegetable crops, encouraging research on alternative pest control methods, and educating cooperating growers on the use and benefits of safer, integrated pest management methods.
° Gempler's, Inc. is a farm safety equipment supplier serving professionals in agriculture, horticulture, grounds maintenance and related public agencies. Their goal as a PESP supporter is to improve workplace efficiency and safety through the provision of tools, supplies, and information on pesticide safety and integrated pest management.
° General Mills has committed to working closely with all partners in the food supply chain to achieve safe, healthful, environmentally sound and sustainable results. They will be measuring success in terms of economic viability and consumer confidence. 

° Gerber Products Company, a major processor of infant foods, has adopted the goal "to eliminate pesticide residues in our food products." The company is working actively with its growers and suppliers to achieve this goal.
° Glades Crop Care, Inc. is a crop consulting firm specializing in innovative, integrated pest management programs for fresh market vegetables and citrus fruits. Their goal is to optimize production profits and food safety while protecting the environment and promoting safe working conditions.
° Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Programs supports locally-based programs in nearly every state to help farmers, ranchers, rural landowners and homeowners prevent pollution on private land. These voluntary programs are aimed at building awareness of pollution sources like pesticides among landowners, providing management tools to reduce pollution risks and supplying technical assistance to support environmentally-responsible action.
° The United States Golf Association is incorporating PESP principles in its work on turfgrass research and management, focusing particularly on the development of grasses that are more tolerant of drought and diseases and therefore require less pesticide use.

° Aqumix, Inc. has developed a returnable-refillable pesticide container management program for utility right-of-way markets. The goal is to eliminate pesticide container disposal problems and encourage use of closed handling systems that will reduce exposure to workers who mix and load pesticides.
° Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association is a consortium of seven San Francisco Bay Area municipal stormwater programs, representing 89 agencies and including 78 cities and 5 counties. Its focus is on regional challenges and opportunities for preventing contamination of the San Francisco Bay and Delta by stormwater runoff containing pesticide residues.
° Campbell Soup Company adopted an innovative pesticide control program in dealing with its growers beginning in 1989. The program has involved development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce the need for synthetic pesticides, taking advantage of such innovative agricultural techniques as control with beneficial insects, insect mating confusion, computer forecasting and planting disease resistant varieties. As a result, use of synthetic pesticides by Campbell's growers has fallen by about 60 percent, and the potential for pesticide residues in finished products has been greatly reduced.
° Del Monte Foods is a major producer of processed and fresh foods. In recognition of the need to address concerns about the safety and environmental effects of agricultural chemicals, the company is involved in developing disease resistant vegetable crops, encouraging research on alternative pest control methods, and educating cooperating growers on the use and benefits of safer, integrated pest management methods.
° Gempler's, Inc. is a farm safety equipment supplier serving professionals in agriculture, horticulture, grounds maintenance and related public agencies. Their goal as a PESP supporter is to improve workplace efficiency and safety through the provision of tools, supplies, and information on pesticide safety and integrated pest management.
° General Mills has committed to working closely with all partners in the food supply chain to achieve safe, healthful, environmentally sound and sustainable results. They will be measuring success in terms of economic viability and consumer confidence. 

° Gerber Products Company, a major processor of infant foods, has adopted the goal "to eliminate pesticide residues in our food products." The company is working actively with its growers and suppliers to achieve this goal.
° Glades Crop Care, Inc. is a crop consulting firm specializing in innovative, integrated pest management programs for fresh market vegetables and citrus fruits. Their goal is to optimize production profits and food safety while protecting the environment and promoting safe working conditions.
° Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst Programs supports locally-based programs in nearly every state to help farmers, ranchers, rural landowners and homeowners prevent pollution on private land. These voluntary programs are aimed at building awareness of pollution sources like pesticides among landowners, providing management tools to reduce pollution risks and supplying technical assistance to support environmentally-responsible action.
° The United States Golf Association is incorporating PESP principles in its work on turfgrass research and management, focusing particularly on the development of grasses that are more tolerant of drought and diseases and therefore require less pesticide use.