June 2003

Pesticide Potpourri

• The IFAS bookstore has recently added a guide that addresses termite infestation and damage. Termites in Florida - A Guide for Homeowners and Building Professionals is an 82-page booklet which covers control methods, tips to avoid infestation, information on termite life cycles, and current building practices and codes. (IFAS Bookstore Release, 5/21/03).

• Based on a letter dated February 13, 2003, the Federal Aviation Administration, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, has approved the suggestion of the National Agricultural Aviation Association that “cut-off” switches be installed and hidden on agricultural aircraft. Additionally, the FAA has determined that these installations are minor, and need be noted only in maintenance records which are filed in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a). Questions can be directed to Wayne Fry, at (202) 493- 5228. (Agricultural Aviation, May/June 2003).

• According to researchers at Ohio State University, consumers could not tell the difference between organically grown and conventionally grown strawberries. Researchers grew the berries under matted row conditions, and consumers were asked to judge the produce based on taste, looks, and smell. The judges were able to differentiate between varieties. (The Grower, May 2003).

• A comparison of pesticide use during 1978 and 1998 for 15 vegetable crops grown in the State of New York found a 65 percent decrease in insecticide use, a 24 percent decline for herbicide use, but a sharply elevated (76 percent) use of fungicides. Declines in pesticide use generally were associated with substitution of low-use rate for high-use rate insecticides or herbicides. ("Pesticide Use Changes in New York Vegetables: 1978 to 1998," JRNL. OF EXTENSION, 41(2), April 2003 via IPM net).

• CropLife America and the European Crop Protection Association released results of a study which shows that the average discovery, development, and registration costs to bring a crop protection product to market have increased from $152 million in 1995 to $184 million in 2000, a cost eight times higher than 20 years ago. The consulting firm conducting the study attributed the increase primarily to the adoption of new technology, stricter regulatory standards instituted to ensure environmental and consumer protection, and a rise in the amount of data required by regulatory authorities. Also, the development period for a new product (from first synthesis to commercialization) has increased from 8.3 years in 1995 to 9.1 years in 2000 and the average number of molecules screened leading to the introduction of each new product increased from 52,500 to >139,000 for these same respective years. (CropLife America Spotlight, 5/16/03).

• The Belgium company UCB has renamed their agrichemical division Taminco Crop Protection. (Agricultural Chemical News, May, 2003).

• India Institute of Science researchers have achieved a breakthrough in developing an 'oral candidate vaccine' from a transgenic plant to fight a deadly virus which is affecting thousands of sheep and goats in that country. Scientists have demonstrated that a genetically modified pigeon pea plant has been effective on the rinderpest virus, which has killed thousands of cattle in Africa, West Asia and South Asia. The vaccine may be tested on sheep and goats in a year or so, with field trials to follow. (Islamic Republic News, 4/27/03 via Agnet).

• A spokesman for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) was cited as saying that only two biotech companies have sought federal approval to plant pharmaceutical crops this year, with stiff new regulations prompting the industry to review its technology. Last year, APHIS approved 20 permits to plant medicine crops on about 130 acres of land in nine states. But this year, with the U.S. planting season underway, APHIS has not yet authorized any plantings of experimental pharmaceutical crops. (Reuters 5/2/03 via Agnet).

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