CLA President Encourages Modern Agriculture Education and Outreach

Oct 17, 2011

RENO, NV – CropLife America President and CEO Jay Vroom challenged the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) to continue their commitment to high standards of professionalism in the pest control industry while speaking at the 37th Annual CAPCA Conference and Agri-Expo on Oct. 17. As the agricultural industry faces a rising world population and proliferation of regulations based on the precautionary principle, it is essential for the industry to unite and openly communicate the vigorous science behind the development and use of crop protection products. The pest control industry also has the opportunity to effectively educate consumers and policymakers about the benefits of modern agriculture, the rigorous regulatory process behind the crop protection industry, and to dispel commonly-held myths about the inputs that help to safely grow the world’s food supply.

"CAPCA members have set the standard for professionalism in advancing sound stewardship in the use of modern crop protection tools,” said Vroom. “The organization’s endorsement of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in support of high grower productivity is truly a highlight of modern American agriculture, and CAPCA’s dedication to the continued development and enhancement of pest control advisors’ education contributes enormously to the crop protection industry."

Vroom touched upon the many legislative, regulatory and litigation issues surrounding agriculture that impede the businesses of CAPCA members. A final decision is still pending for the issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for certain pesticide applications to, over or near water bodies, including applications for mosquito control. A similar set of pesticide restrictions are visible in Endangered Species Act litigation and would thwart the normal pesticide licensing process, forcing California to take a disproportionate hit. Vroom noted that CAPCA’s strong grassroots support provides a solid framework of regulatory and legislative solutions, and the continuation of grassroots outreach is the agricultural industry’s best opportunity to educate legislators about the inputs needed to grow the nation’s food and to help ensure public health.

World Food Day (WFD) is another opportunity for growers, national organizations and local coalitions to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of world hunger in order to find solutions for a food secure future. Celebrated annually on Oct. 16, WFD began in 1981 in recognition of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and is observed by 150 nations. WFD affords the agricultural community the chance to band together to tell the story of crop productivity and the active role that crop protection products and modern agriculture techniques play in increasing crop yields to put more food on more tables worldwide.

“The crop protection industry recognizes that increased U.S. agricultural productivity benefits American consumers and has produced enough food to export more than $100 billion annually to benefit consumers around the world,” Vroom said. “The crop output that farmers and ranchers currently achieve is extraordinary. Yet, as population numbers are now estimated to climb above 7 billion this year, and with the increased expectation for better diets, it is not enough. Farmers, along with the crop protection industry, continue to investigate the most efficient and safest methods to grow enough food to meet demand, and this goal is achievable only through consistent innovation and communication with policymakers in Washington, D.C.”

For more information about WFD and similar events in the month of October, please visit www.alliancetofeedthefuture.org/farm-to-fork-resources/food-day.aspx.