March 21, 2005

ISSUE 1055



FFVA PROVIDES TESTIMONY AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON METHYL BROMIDE

FFVA's Environmental and Pest Management Division Director, Dan Botts, provided testimony on behalf of FFVA and the Crop Protection Coalition at a Day Hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives, Agricultural Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research March 10, 2005 on the Methyl Bromide Critical Use Exemption process under the Montreal Protocol. FFVA's petitions under the process represent over 40% of the total amounts requested by the U.S. for approval. Botts was joined in the industry panel by Jim Bair, North American Millers Association, Rebeckah Freeman, American Farm Bureau Federation, Michelle Castellano, Society of American Florists, Rodger Wasson, California Strawberry Commission. The U.S. Government was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Claudia McMurray, with Burleson Smith, USDA, and Susan Hazen, EPA.

The well-attended and well-received hearing raised several points relating to the shifting criteria, lack of transparency and arbitrary nature of the internal review and decision process. It also highlighted issues with the reduction included in the U.S. Nominations prior to submission to the international community.

Copies of the testimony of all panelists are available upon request from the Environmental & Pest Management division.

 

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(Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.)