Note: This information is provided for reference purposes only. Although the information provided here was accurate and current when first created, it is now outdated.

Transition Strategies

Information Base - Planning - Implementing

1. The Information Base

The Information base

• the key to planning transition from one pest management technique to another
• especially important for crops grown on small acres, crops with limited registered alternatives, and crops with IPM and resistance management programs

Information on crop production and pest management practices

Crop Profiles (ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap) compile this information for public access and review. Profile development is an initiative of the Office of Pest Management Policy and the Land Grant Universities and includes the agricultural community. Crop Matrices prepared by EPA provide complimentary information on pesticide use and alternatives.

Information on emerging pest management techniques

The Pipeline Data Base is the USDA effort to compile information on (1) pest management tools at the research level, (2) pesticides in EPA pre-registration activities including tolerance proposals and acceptances, Section 18s, EUP's, and (3) applications for registrations. The Pipeline Data Base will be available on the web.

Information presentation for organized review and application

"Background Information for a Transition Strategy" is the USDA outline to organize information of pest control methods for a particular commodity by pest. The format provides the organized discussion tool needed for planning transition. Examples for asparagus and cranberries are attached. A similar effort for apples is in progress. Development of such background information tools for additional crops is the next phase of the Crop Profile initiative. Background information documents can also be prepared by commodity groups or other organizations.

2. Planning

Planning for transition

• reliance on knowledge of crop production, pest control, and alternatives
• open process supported by USDA
• includes agriculture community, Land Grant University commodity specialists, and EPA
• results in setting goals, responsibilities, timetables

The information base and the "Background Information" structure provide the framework for developing commodity-specific transitions strategies - strategies for moving toward alternatives for critical crop/pest combinations where current practices include pesticides with uses that may be changed or eliminated.

Certainly, many research and planning efforts already are underway in many sectors - USDA, EPA, Land Grant Universities, pesticide companies, IR4, commodity organizations, and the environmental community. Transition strategies would reflect this work.

USDA can support transition strategy development through grants to Land Grant University specialists and through the Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP). University specialists would involve the agricultural community and other interested organizations in developing a strategy. PMAP grants are not limited to the Land Grant Universities - they are available to any qualified organization or individual.

Transition strategies for commodities will be used to set priorities for USDA research and extension support. In addition to the existing support for short-term solutions through the PMAP grants program, USDA has proposed two programs planned for FY2000 support intermediate and longer-term research and extension efforts: the Crops-At-Risk program (intermediate projects/$3M) and the FQPA Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program for Cropping Systems (intermediate and longer/$10M).

Regulatory tools that could be part of transition strategies include temporary tolerances for critical existing uses during a transition phase, interim risk reduction tactics (reduced rates, longer PHIs, PPE, etc.)

Timetables are critical to transition strategies. Replacement pest management tools must be identified, and the path and schedule for their availability and grower acceptance determined.

The USDA web site could provide information on USDA support and give up-to-date information on transition strategy development - making the process open to participation.

3. Implementation

Implementation plans for commodities

• goals established
• responsibilities outlined for USDA, EPA, Land Grant Universities (research and extension), States, growers
• timetables for both interim and final stages of transition
• updated to reflect pesticide decisions and completion of research efforts
• available to the public

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www.epa.gov/oppfead1/trac/7-transi.htm
updated February 25, 1999