The IR-4 Project, a unique USDA funded program that’s mission is to facilitate the registration of safe and effective reduced risk pesticides and biopesticides for fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, ornamentals and other specialty crops. Farmers of organically and conventionally produced specialty crops must protect these high value commodities from economic damage caused by insects, plant diseases, weeds and other crop pests. The US EPA regulates products that protect crops as conventional pesticides or biopesticides. The private sector invests significant resources in research to meet US EPA and other regulatory requirements, which ensure that products are safe for humans and the environment. Because of the research costs, the crop protection industry concentrates their registration efforts on large acreage “major” crops like corn, soybean, and cotton where potential sales support an acceptable return on investment. Small acreage, specialty crops are deemed orphan crops. Due to limited potential sales, it is economically unfeasible for the crop protection industry to commercialize pest control products for specialty crops. Recognizing the dilemma, the IR-4 Project was created in 1963 to help America's specialty crop growers and food processers while promoting public wellbeing. The IR-4 Project has facilitated over 48,000 national registrations of pest management uses that have benefitted agriculture in all states and added value to the public. The IR-4 Project remains relevant today. Specifically, destructive and invasive pests continue to attack and damage specialty crops causing reductions in quality and quantity of the final product. Newly emerging pest problems disrupt integrated pest management systems. Additionally, there is a rapid increase in the number of pests that are becoming resistant to existing conventional pesticide and biopesticide products. IR-4 also helps U.S. farmers gain access to lucrative international markets by reducing/eliminating trade barriers through global harmonization of pesticide registrations standards. IR-4 helps ensure that domestic farmers of fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, flowers, nursery and other specialty crops can continue to grow quality and wholesome products demanded by food processors and consumers.

IR-4 Project: Faciliating the registration of crop protection products for specialty crops

254th National Meeting (2017)

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