Number: 2001-039-1-600
Title: Pest management for small-acreage
crops: a cooperative global approach
Task Group
Chairman: R. Don
Wauchope
Members: P.
Cimino, D. Hamilton,
G. Roberts, R.
Gonzalez, Y.-H.
Kim, R. Bhula,
B. Rubin, J.
Linders, R. Dieterle,
K. Tanaka, G.
Stephenson, and D.
Rautmann
Objective:
(1) Review Procedures used worldwide for risk assessment for pesticide
uses in small-acreage crops.
(2) Develop recommendations for international harmonization, exchange
of data and predictive capability.
Description:
Problem Statement
Commercial pest control chemicals are increasingly being produced
by fewer and larger companies with little interest in the small
profits or the added liability associated with the use of pesticides
on small-acreage crops. This is not a "developed vs. developing
country" issue. Every country in the world has small farms raising
specialty crops which are grown on too small an acreage to warrant
pursuit of registration of crop protection chemicals by the manufacturers.
But plant diseases, weeds and insects can be just as devastating
in these "minor crops" as in major crops. Furthermore, the economic
value of these crops is often comparable to that of major crops
and often critical to a region.
The situation has been exacerbated in re-registration programs
where, for example, old registrations for "grain crops" and "tree
fruits" have become more specific such as "wheat" and "apples".
Previously included crops have become excluded in this process.
Individual countries have developed responses of varying effectiveness
to this problem .We believe IUPAC is in a position to bring these
countries together to share experiences and data, and to suggest
harmonized registration approaches and modelling procedures which
will facilitate and expedite registrations of crop protection chemicals
for minor crops, contributing to their economic survival.
The minor use issue impinges also on international trade. The Codex
Committee on Pesticide Residues has been seeking consensus on minimum
data requirements for setting MRLs related to minor uses.
Methodology