Pesticide Advisory Committee Minutes

Guyer Conference Room, East Lansing

October 21, 2005

Members: Brian Hughes, Bill Weil, David Schwallier, Abby Schwartz, Russ Ives, Bruce Walker, Roger Wabeke, Carolyn Randall, Bob Heyd

Guests: Ken Rauscher, Brian Rowe, Larry Swain, Gina Davis, Jim Johnson, Antonio Castro-Escobar, Kelly Millenbah, and Nichole Rubeck-Schurtz

Brian Hughes welcomed everyone to the meeting. Members of the committee introduced themselves.

The minutes from the August 2005 were approved with corrections.

Discussion was held about the Lindane and the harmonization of the label (Canada, U.S., and Mexico). Comments are to be sent to the Center for Environmental Cooperation by November 4, 2005. It was noted that Canada does not have any agricultural or veterinary uses for Lindane only the pharmaceutical use remains. The U.S. has both agricultural uses (subject to review in 2006) and pharmaceutical uses. Mexico has agreed to eliminate all agricultural, veterinary and pharmaceutical uses through a phase-out approach. The link to this information is: http://www.cec.org/files/PDF/POLLUTANTS/Lindane-NARAP-Public-Comment_en.pdf.

Ken Rauscher, Director, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, said MDA Director Irwin has initiated a new council, Michigan Food Policy Council that will focus on food policy, food product, and accessibility of food. Ken will provide Brian Hughes with information about the council so he can share it with the committee. Ken suggested that Director Irwin be invited to the January PAC meeting

Ken distributed a map showing the Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Areas, Quarantined Areas, and Recent Detections in Michigan (October 19, 2005). A new quarantine map will be released in the near future. Ken discussed the current areas of infestation and tree removals. The tree removals will slow the spread of EAB and will give researchers more time to study biological organisms that hopefully will decrease or eliminate EAB. There has been an infestation noted in Brimley, in the Upper Peninsula. Trees are being marked for removal one half mile around the infestation. Of further note, legal action has been taken against an individual who tried to conceal firewood movement across the Mackinac Bridge. The person moved his firewood from a trailer to the inside his camper. The individual was stopped at the check station at the bridge. MDA arrested and is in the process of prosecuting the individual. New legislation allows for MDA staff to write tickets when a violation is found. Training for staff is in process.

Ken distributed the 2006 Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program – October 21, 2005. Ken discussed the suppression program. The gypsy moth population size is weather dependent in that the biological controls that operate best in a cool wet Spring which Michigan did not have this year. The program is a success due to the biological controls and good management.

Antonio Castro-Escobar gave an overview of the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS) program. This program was a federally mandated seven years ago. Some violations that are found when PPPM staff make inspections are: pesticides are applied in farm greenhouses, no central notification of pesticide applications, no soap/water to wash, etc. These violations are handled by MDA’s PPPMD. Antonio explained how implementation/enforcement is viewed differently by different groups, such as advocacy groups, health care agencies, government, etc. MDA makes the determination what type enforcement action is necessary. Many times it is a Producer Establishment Inspection (PEI) or Planned Use Inspection (PUI). A use investigation could be initiated if the violation warranted it. MDA continues its educational work with commodity groups’agricultural workers.

Carolyn Randall distributed the Fourth Quarter Report from MSU. Some of the highlights from the report are: the National Core manual was completed by the August deadline, the category 5 Aquatic Pest Management manual changes submitted for lay out, the rough draft completed for Category 3B manual, Category 9 manual is completed and exams will be generated to reflect the new manuals.

Abby Schwartz, Michigan Department of Community Health, distributed and discussed the Michigan Occupational Pesticide Illness and Injury Surveillance Project Report for July through September 2005. Abby stated no migrant worker cases were reported this quarter. Brian Rowe asked Abby to share information with MDA for follow-up. Abby will forward information that is not confidential.

Larry Swain gave an update on Incidental Use Exemptions. The enforcement, pesticide registration, and certification managers have reviewed the current exemptions. Larry distributed proposed criteria to use in the approval process for Incidental Use Exemption requests. After the managers reviewed the current exemptions, eight were assigned to inspectors for PUI inspections, one was sent a letter to request more information, and two were denied as they did not fall within the criteria. Larry will review the PUIs with the PAC. Larry asked the PAC for two members to work with MDA when an exemption request is received.

The following motion was made by Brian Hughes: to appoint two members of the PAC to work with MDA to review new Incidental Use Exemption requests in a timely manner on behalf of the PAC. The motion was second by William Weil. The motion passed. Russ Ives and Abby Schwartz volunteered to review the exemption requests with MDA.

Dr. Kelly Millenbah and Nicole Rubeck-Schurtz of MSU presented "The Reconciliation of the Endangered Species Act and Michigan Agriculture Interest." Dr. Millenbah said the project came about because EPA denied a pesticide application for the tart cherry association because the application was scheduled for a location where Karnal Blue Butterfly (endangered species) was known to inhabit. MSU received a grant for the project. A working group has been established. Maps will be redefined for habitats for endangered species using GIS. This is a pilot project that is hoped to set a national example. The Cherry Marketing Association is working with Dr. Millenbah to map the tart cherry orchards. At the end of the project, the researchers will keep the maps of endangered species; however, they will give the landowners a list of endangered species in their area.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40.