No other grower organization offers more expertise on crop protection than FFVA. FFVA's Environmental and Pest Management Division works to defend essential product registrations and foster governmental and regulatory policies that keep essential crop protection tools available for growers.

Supporting access to methyl bromide -- as well as finding effective alternatives -- is a top priority for FFVA. The division continues each year to develop petitions for critical-use exemptions in Florida for the plastic mulch culture of strawberries, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes.

The division also monitors discussions and presents input at international meetings to represent Florida producers in negotiations for access to critical-use stocks. FFVA also works with the U.S. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation as it regulates critical-use exempted production and use of methyl bromide under the conditions of the Montreal Protocol. On the research side of the equation, FFVA continues its leadership in coordinating research to maximize efficacy of methyl bromide and alternatives while reducing emissions of any of the fumigants during use.

The Environmental and Pest Management Division represents FFVA members on several advisory and regulatory committees at the federal, state and regional levels.  Division staff also serve in leadership roles on advisory groups as diverse as the North American Plant Protection Organization Industry Advisory Committee, the IR-4 Program at USDA, the Commissioner's Food Security and Food Safety Advisory Committee, the USDA NAREE Board's Specialty Crop Advisory Committee, the Florida Ag Council and Florida's Operation Cleansweep.

Third Party Registrations, Inc., an FFVA subsidiary, provides resources for making critical labels available exclusively to FFVA growers. Without this popular service, these important registrations likely would not be possible. TPR actively holds labels in sod, brassicas, celery and other leafy vegetables.

As well as materials covered under TPR, FFVA seeks Section 18 exemptions on crop protection materials for vegetables, citrus, legume vegetables and blueberries when emergency conditions make it necessary.

For more information about FFVA's Environmental and Pest Managment Division or Third Party Registrations Inc., click here or call 321-214-5200.