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JANUARY-MARCH 2005 ■ VOLUME 59 NUMBER 1 California Agriculture Beyond organophosphates University of California | Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Research in Agricultural, Natural and Human Resources Environmental laws elicit evolution in pest management he era of synthetic UC and USDA scientists released a task force report in 1992 organic pesticides entitled Beyond Pesticides: Biological Approaches to Pest Manage- beganT in the 1940s and ment in California (UC DANR Pub. 21512). This report provided brought with it many an overview of possible alternative control tactics without the Robert Van Steenwyk Frank G. Zalom benefits. The new pesti- use of broad-spectrum pesticides, and was produced with Entomologist, Entomologist, cides enabled growers an appreciation for the mounting political pressures on these UC Berkeley UC Davis to produce abundant products because of safety concerns. Two controversial Na- food and fiber, both tional Research Council reports, Regulating Pesticides in Food: economically and predictably. They enabled public health The Delaney Paradox in 1987, and Pesticides in the Diets of Infants officials to control many serious insect-vectored diseases in and Children in 1993, focused attention on dietary risk from the United States and throughout the world. However, the pesticides and on the differential effects of pesticides on vul- universal adoption of synthetic organic pesticides in the nerable groups in the population. These reports questioned 1950s also brought risks. UC scientists soon noted adverse how the EPA established pesticide tolerances, and were drivers impacts from these broad-spectrum pesticides on natural for passage of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). biological control agents and developed the concept of The FQPA is the most important regulatory reform yet enacted. “integrated control.” In addition to their adverse effect on Many broad-spectrum pesticide products and uses have been biological control agents, it soon became apparent that pests lost and more are anticipated in the future. could develop resistance to the new pesticides. This resis- The elimination of the uses of many broad-spectrum tance required that increased rates of pesticides be applied pesticides has resulted in the development and registration to achieve acceptable control, exacerbating the problem. of a number of reduced-risk and environmentally benign The publication of Rachel Carson’s famous book, Silent pesticides and control strategies. These new pesticides are Spring, in 1962, brought concerns about the environmental and more pest-specific and less robust in their control and will re- health risks of pesticides to the forefront of public awareness, quire increased vigilance on the part of pest control advisers. and began a national debate. The U.S. Department of Health, The new products are often slower-acting, will control only Education and Welfare established the Commission on Pesti- related pest species, and are more expensive. In addition, cides and Their Relationship to Environmental Health in 1969, resistance to these new materials can occur in populations chaired by UC Davis Chancellor Emil Mrak, to conduct the of many important pest species. Effective reduced-risk pes- first assessment of pesticide risks. The Mrak Commission rec- ticides have not been developed for a number of important ommended the establishment of a governmental mechanism pests. Thus, there could be substantial economic impacts on for assessing the environmental safety of pesticides. California agriculture from implementation of the FQPA. In 1971, President Nixon created the Environmental To address these concerns, the California Department of Food Protection Agency (EPA) by executive order, transferring and Agriculture supported a study to measure the economic pesticide regulation from the U.S. Department of Agricul- impact on the 13 top-valued economic agricultural crops in ture (USDA) to the new agency. Congress soon mandated California if all organophosphate insecticides were eliminated EPA’s charge to evaluate risks and benefits of pesticides by from use. The study, The Economic Impact of Organophosphates in passing the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide California Agriculture (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/publications. Act of 1972. Lawmakers had now established a mechanism htm), showed that the elimination of broad-spectrum pesticides for careful evaluation of any pesticide’s environmental and would increase the cost of production, and the amount of in- health risks, and for consideration of more environmentally crease was crop-specific. This report was the stimulus for the benign pest-management alternatives. UC scientists, who publication of this special issue of California Agriculture, in which were already leaders in the development of biological con- UC scientists discuss alternative control measures that they have trol, integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticide toxi- developed over decades of research. cology, became increasingly engaged in national programs The importance of UC maintaining its capacity to respond to identify and develop alternative pest-management strate- to future regulatory issues, introductions of invasive species, gies to broad-spectrum pesticides. They formed alliances vector-related public health issues and economic challenges with their counterparts in federal and California agencies faced by California citizens has never been greater. To meet to develop and implement new pest-management systems these challenges, a new era of cooperation and integration be- and tactics, including both biological and chemical means to tween UC’s Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperation combat pests. Extension must be implemented in the near future. This re- However, developing and implementing alternatives to organization must be substantial and collegial, and foster the organophosphate pesticides to meet the needs of California’s vertical integration of knowledge development and delivery. highly diverse agriculture, as well as its urban areas and natu- Through the closer integration of these two units, a leaner ral resources, has been and will continue to be a challenge be- and more efficient organization will be positioned to lead cause of decreasing public funding for research and extension. California as it responds to the challenges ahead. 2 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE, VOLUME 59, NUMBER 1 News departments 4 Letters California Agriculture 5 Science briefs Galen Rowell/Corbis Pyrethroids in Central Valley News and Peer-reviewed Research published by the Division of Agriculture and stream sediments toxic to Natural Resources, University of California bottom-dwellers VOLUME 59, NUMBER 1 State announces new methyl Executive editor: Janet White bromide use rules; phase-out Managing editor: Janet Byron delayed Under the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, many Art director: Davis Krauter uses of organophosphate insecticides and other broad- California Agriculture Three of four county spectrum pesticides are being phased out, with impor- 1111 Franklin St., 6th floor anti-GMO measures fail tant implications for California growers; UC scientists are Oakland, CA 94607-5200 exploring a range of alternatives. Shown on this home Phone: (510) 987-0044; Fax: (510) 465-2659 gardener’s shelf are generations of pesticides, some of [email protected] Research articles which have been banned or their uses curtailed. http://CaliforniaAgriculture.ucop.edu California Agriculture (ISSN 0008-0845) is published quarterly and mailed at periodicals postage rates at Oakland, CA and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send change of address "Form 3579" to California Agriculture at the above address. Beyond organophoshates RATES: Subscriptions free upon request in U.S.; $24/year outside the U.S. After publication, the single copy price is $5.00. Orders must be accompanied by payment. Payment may be by check or international money order in U.S. Food Quality Protection Act Various novel insecticides are funds payable to UC Regents. MasterCard/Visa accepted; requests require 7 29 signature and card expiration date. Please include complete address. launches search for pest manage- less toxic to humans, more specific Articles published herein may be reprinted, provided no advertisement for a commercial product is implied or imprinted. Please credit California Agri- ment alternatives to key pests culture, University of California, citing volume and number, or complete date of issue, followed by inclusive page numbers. Indicate ©[[date]] The Regents Van Steenwyk, Zalom Grafton-Cardwell et al. of the University of California. Photographs may not be reprinted without Organophosphate insecticides have al- A number of newly registered insecticides have permission. UC prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person on the lowed large yield increases, but under the low mammalian toxicity and target specific crop basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy FQPA many will be cancelled. Alternatives pests; however, resistance and secondary pest (including childbirth and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related are needed to maintain a viable state ag- outbreaks must be managed. or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, ricultural industry. citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Vietnam-era veteran