Pesticide

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is responsible for the “Residue Tracking Project” whose goal is to develop procedures that accurately identify the source of produce from Mexico with residue over-tolerance levels. The project allows Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Nutrition (SAGARPA) to locate the source more effectively and take steps to avoid such lots in the future.

The Pesticide Episode Response Project (PERP) was originally established in response to an aerial drift incident in California. County agricultural commissioners (CACs) and representatives from DPR and Mexico will continue work to develop a system to share data on human health, investigative and sampling techniques, and pesticide exposure.

The Coordinated Press Release Project coordinates efforts with Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego CACs on the transport of pesticide products from Mexico for personal use, and coordinate outreach efforts to educate the public about the hazards associated with many of these pesticide products.

The U.S. - Mexico Pesticide Information Exchange (USMPIE) program has sponsored three inspector exchanges. USMPIE is funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Regions 6 and 9, and is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The goal of the program is to share information and to foster cooperation with pesticide regulators on both sides of the border. Highlights of this program include:

• During August 2000, the first two inspectors from Mexico visited Sacramento and Yolo CACs, and then traveled to Fresno and Bakersfield for training and overview inspection experiences in the San Joaquin Valley.
• In October 2000, two DPR Senior Pesticide Use Specialists traveled to the headquarters of SAGARPA for training regarding the functions of SAGARPA and the pesticide regulations of Mexico. Their training included SAGARPA inspection/verification procedures, inspections at pesticide dealers and formulators, and visits to an avocado packinghouse, processing plant, and an organic avocado grower.
• During October 2001, USMPIE sponsored its second Mexican inspector exchange. DPR hosted two inspectors, on from each of the Mexican Departments of Labor and Health. The inspectors received an overview of DPR’s program, visited CAC offices, observed pesticide applications, and visited packinghouses and pesticide applicator facilities. Other Mexican inspectors visited the states of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico during the same month.