ASSOCIATION UPDATE RISE seeks support for PRIA 5 By Megan Provost | PMP Contributor T he Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) authorizes a fee-for-service program for pesticide registration and review activities within the U.S. Environmental Protection Speakers at the RISE Industry Issues Breakfast held at PestWorld 2022 included, Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Pesticide from left, Megan Provost, RISE; Karen Larson, Clarke Mosquito Control, Programs (OPP). PRIA is coming up for St. Charles, Ill.; Ted Brayton, Griggs and Browne Co., Cranston, R.I.; and Jim Steed, reauthorization for the fourth time since Neighborly Pest Management, Roseville, Calif. originally passing into law in 2004. Along with other national pesticide registrant associations, we’re Supporting appropriate funding for the OPP is one working on passing PRIA 5 during 2022 in the 117 th way we ensure innovative products and new product uses Congress. To achieve this goal, we are seeking broad get to the pest management marketplace in a predictable support from pesticide applicator’s associations, including and timely way. Taking up the grassroots call to action the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). and proactivity, especially with new legislators elected You may find it unusual for pesticide manufacturers this November, is another way to ensure the pesticide to advocate for additional resources for EPA and to seek technology PMPs need is available for current and broad support for PRIA from external stakeholders emerging threats to public health, safety and infrastructure. and across party lines in Congress, but that is what we are doing as an industry. PRIA 5 is both unusual LOOKING AHEAD and important, because the fees paid by pesticide As 2022 wraps up, we are planning for a new wave of manufacturers under this program support business national public opinion research that we look forward to predictability within the EPA’s pesticide registration sharing with PMPs early in the new year. In the meantime, process, providing established timelines for bringing our 2022 research gives us good reason to plan for and new products and new product uses to the market. seek out conversations about pesticides to promote greater Predictability supports innovation, and the fees our understanding and to support sound public policy. members pay ensure the OPP has the resources it needs I’ll leave you with four of these highlights (and to complete its assessments on a set schedule. This conversation starters): predictability helps our members deliver new tools and ⦁ Most Americans use pesticides. Fifty-eight percent of technology to pest management professionals (PMPs) so respondents have personally used, or paid someone to they can continue to make people’s lives better. use pesticide products around their home this year. ⦁ Approximately 76 percent of respondents agree NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES pesticides are necessary to protect families from health We’re also looking forward to the 2023 legislative session problems and discomfort caused by bugs and weeds. and thinking about outreach to new and tenured elected ⦁ Learning about the pesticide regulatory framework officials and appointees. We had the opportunity to at the federal and state levels increases people’s talk about the importance of storytelling and proactive perceptions of product safety, with 78 percent of outreach to policymakers at all levels of government respondents in agreement. during our RISE Industry Issues Breakfast last month ⦁ Last, but not least, 62 percent of Americans agree during PestWorld. PMPs and industry leaders Ted their local government should not Brayton, of Cranston, R.I.-based Griggs and Browne implement pesticide regulations that Co., and Jim Steed, of Roseville, Calif.-based Neighborly override federal or state regulatory Pest Management, shared their personal experiences authority. PMP talking about benefits and advocating for appropriate and balanced public policy to support the good work PMPs are PROVOST is president of Responsible Industry doing — and will need to do in the future, as pest pressure for a Sound Environment (RISE). She may be reached at 202-872-3860 or RISE@pestfacts.org. and society’s expectations about health and safety evolve. 20 November 2022 • Pest Management Professional mypmp.net PHOTO: PMP STAFF
Pest Management Professional November 2022: Page 20
