Mission Statement:  The Weed Control Association promotes responsible weed management stewardship through Education, Communication and Public Policy.

There are three main areas of concentration for IWCA:

     1.  Education and Public Awareness

     2.  Participate in Public Policy Development and monitor State and Federal Legislative Activities (IWCA Legislative

            Policies are listed below)

     3.  Leadership and Communication

Legislative Policy Statements

Environmental Issues

The IWCA recommends sound environmental practices to ensure clean air and water.  These practices should be based on scientific research with a balanced response of public opinion.  Each environmental practice must be evaluated as to the fiscal and social impact on the individual and society.

Policy Statements:

Agricultural Chemicals

      We support the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and their jurisdiction for regulating agricultural chemicals.

      We support reasonable regulation of use and storage of agricultural chemicals, and dissemination of factual information on their need, use, hazards and safety.

      We support sound science validated evidence to warrant curtailment of legal application or storage of agricultural chemicals on agricultural land.

      We recognize that, due to improved testing technologies, a negligible tolerance rather than a “zero” tolerance evaluation should be used in registering agricultural crop protection products.

      We support legislation to facilitate the registration and re-registration of minor use crop protection products.

Aerial Applicators

      We recognize the importance of aerial applicators to the agricultural community and support regulations that allow latitude to operate in meeting the demands of our industry.

Crop Protection Harmonization

      We support that crop protection registration and regulations be harmonized between the United States, Mexico and Canada.  Idaho producers continue to be at a competitive disadvantage because of crop protection technologies available to Canadian and Mexican producers that are not available to US producers.  We encourage EPA to move without delay to expedite the harmonization of crop protection regulations and registrations between US, Canada and Mexico as provided by in NAFTA.

      We further encourage USTR and USDA to diligently include similar provisions in their negotiations in the current round of World Trade Organization (WTO) and other bilaterial and multicultural trade agreements.

Noxious Weeds in Idaho

      We support funding from the General Fund and through a broad assessment of all citizens of Idaho to generate funds to control and combat noxious weeds on all Idaho lands.  We support the establishment of Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA’s) in Idaho and that aggressive action should be taken by these CWMA’s for the control and elimination of noxious weeds.  We further support annual reporting by the Noxious Weed Advisory Board to the state legislature on the progress and costs of controlling noxious weeds in Idaho.

Funding Noxious Weed Control in Idaho

      We support reinstatement of the $1.00/tire tax on all tires (except for recaps) sold in Idaho as a method of funding a Noxious Weed Control Fund to provide necessary monies for fighting and controlling noxious weeds in our state.  We recommend that this fund should be ongoing with annual financial reports submitted to a germane committee of the Senate and House Agriculture Affairs Committee.  We support that this tire assessment be collected and administered through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

Bio-control or Natural Pest Control

      We support continued use and research for the development of alternate, environmentally-sound crop protection products.

Governmental Affairs

      The IWCA supports a responsible, efficient and fiscally-sound government for the citizens of Idaho.

Weed Free Hay and Straw on Public Lands

      We support the use of weed free hay and straw on all public lands in Idaho and encourage all public land agencies to adopt the guidelines established by the USDA Forest Service.

Nez Perce Tribe Bio Control Center

      We support the continued funding of the Nez Perce Tribe Bio-control Center at Lapwai and recognize the potential bio-control efforts have in combating noxious weeds.

Governmental Affairs

The IWCA supports a responsible, efficient and fiscally-sound government for the citizens of Idaho.

Policy Statements:

Noxious Weed Free Hay

      We support the cooperation of all federal and state land agencies to require that only certified noxious weed free hay be allowed on federal and state lands.

State Director of Agriculture

      We support the appointment of a director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture who possesses the skills to provide quality leadership, vision and direction for the agricultural industry.  We support the appointment of an individual possessing competence in communication, working with people and understanding the challenges of agriculture in Idaho.  We support the appointment of a director who can be endorsed by the commodity and agricultural organizations in Idaho.

Initiatives

      We support the initiative process in Idaho as a method for citizens to express themselves on issues.  We support a legislative review of the initiative process in Idaho and strict adherence to the rules governing the process.

ISDA Noxious Weed Advisory Committee

      We support the continued appointment of an Idaho State Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Advisory Committee by the Director of Agriculture as a way to maintain an open communication between agencies, commodity groups, individuals, and government on issues and programs related to weed control in Idaho.

State Noxious Weed Coordinator

      We support the appointment and employment of a State Noxious Weed Coordinator within the framework of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and recognize the important role that individual plays in executing the State Noxious Weed laws.

County Weed Superintendents

      We support each county in Idaho establishing a position for coordinating, education and implementing weed control efforts in each county. We further support adequate funding for the position to provide continuing education and available dollars for implementing a coordinated weed control program within the county.

Invasive Species Council

      We support the creation of the Invasive Species Council and recommend adequate legislative support, funding, and oversight be given to the Council to protect Idaho’s environment from threatening invasive species.

Industry Relations

The IWCA supports and encourages involvement in activities and organizations that enhance our industry and the members we represent.

Policy Statements:

Food Producers of Idaho

      We support annual voting membership with Food Producers of Idaho.  We further support activities sponsored by Food Producers as a way of collaborating with other Ag organizations and commodity groups to showcase the Ag Industry.

Agriculture Natural Resource Industry Political Action Committee – ANRI-PAC

      We support the ANRI-PAC for Idaho agriculture and recommend that the IWCA maintain a position on the board of directors of ANRI-PAC to represent Idaho agricultural cooperatives in determining support of state political candidates who endorse the needs of the agriculture industry/co-ops and the members we represent.

Crop Protection Labels and Licensing

      We support the proper use of labeled crop protection products.  We encourage all members to work cooperatively with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in the implementation of its chemical and educational programs related to labels and licensing.  We further support this education as a method of protecting the public and ensuring safe, effective use and application of crop protection products in our state.

Storage of Crop Protection Products

      We support sound science as the validation for approved applications or storage of agriculture crop protection products.

Idaho Weed Coordinating Committee

      We support the continuing of the Idaho Weed Coordinating Committee (IWCC) as a way of bringing together local, state and federal agencies and organizations to work on common issues related to weed control in Idaho. We support IWCA maintaining representation on the IWCC.

Industry Research/Education

The IWCA believes in research and educational programs.  We encourage legislative funding and support of these essential programs in Idaho.

Policy Statements:

Agriculture’s Image and Future

      We support activities and events that work to create an awareness of the importance of America’s agriculture.  We believe the cooperation, collaboration and networking between agricultural organizations, commodity commissions, and agricultural agencies of local, state and federal government are vitally important to our industry’s future.  The IWCA is dedicated to being a leader in this area of industry communication and cooperation for the strengthening of agriculture’s future in the minds of every man, woman and child.

Regional Research Centers

      We support the concept and encourage the continuation of the University of Idaho regional research centers. We support legislative and industry funding for research projects and activities.  We support annual reporting of progress on research projects to all entities involved in the research area.

Interstate Research

      We support and encourage interstate cooperation between neighboring land grant universities to avoid costly duplication of research.

Cooperative Extension System

      We support funding at a federal, state and local level for the Cooperative Extension System and support further services and methods of communication which will enable rural agricultural producers to receive the latest in technology and education.

Agricultural Science and Technology - FFA

      We support and encourage agricultural programs at the secondary and post-secondary level.  We encourage the teaching of vegetation management in these agricultural classes.

Agriculture in the Classroom – AITC

      We support the program “Idaho Ag in the Classroom” in Idaho schools.  We recommend an approach to the citizens of Idaho in supporting the AITC program by purchasing the agriculture license plate.  AITC receives a portion of the funds from each plate purchased or renewed.  We further support legislative funding through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture - Administrative Budget for the operation of this program.  We support the maintenance of AITC in the structure of USDA to offer leadership and coordination of this program across the U.S.

Leadership Idaho Agriculture – LIA

      We support the Leadership Idaho Agriculture Foundation and the programs it provides.  We encourage weed control organizations to sponsor individuals to participate annually in this valuable leadership training.

FFA in Idaho

      We support the high school programs and activities offered by the FFA organization.  We encourage young men and women to participate in these programs for personal, leadership, and career development opportunities.  We encourage IWCA members support FFA activities at the local, state, and national levels.  We encourage IWCA members to explore work experience opportunities for FFA members in the local communities that will enable them to learn more about the weed control industry and agribusiness.  We support every high school in Idaho offering an FFA experience to students in their school.

4-H in Idaho

      We support the 4-H program in Idaho and support state funding that provides adequate funds for staff and programming to support volunteer leaders in the 4-H program.

Funding for R & E Centers in Idaho

      We support ongoing allocation of General Fund money for the Research and Extension (R & E) Centers in Idaho.  We recognize the importance of quality equipment and necessary repairs to these centers in order to facilitate the research and education they provide.  We further encourage strong cooperation between agriculture organizations and commodity groups to increase legislative awareness and participation in the funding of these improvements.

Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign

      We support the Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign (IWAC) and their commitment to public awareness related to weed control in Idaho. We support continued funding of the IWAC by all agencies who have involvement related to weed control in Idaho and the establishment of a stable funding base for IWAC future.

U of I Extension Regional Weed Specialists

      We support the continued funding and placement of individuals with Extension/Research weed responsibilities in each of the four U of I Extension Districts in Idaho. Idaho is a very diverse state geographically. Idaho also has a very diverse agriculture and population in each region. We support an Extension Weed Specialist in all four regions to meet the needs of Idaho’s citizens.

Labor

The IWCA recognizes the value of an adequate labor force for agriculture and supports programs and policies that treat both employees and employers fairly.

Policy Statements:

Worker Protection Standards

      We support the regulations and provisions of the Worker Protection Standards as administrated by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture for providing education and safety information for farm field workers exposed to crop protection products.

Natural resources/energy

The IWCA recognizes the need to preserve and protect our state and country’s natural beauty and resources.  We also recognize the importance of an adequate energy supply to our industry.  We encourage programs to protect our natural resources while still meeting the needs of our industry.

Policy Statements:

Idaho’s Water

      Idaho’s water is a valuable resource to the state.  We support a water plan that protects Idaho’s water for industry (agribusiness/transportation), environment, and recreation and that alterations to this plan must come only after adequate scientific research and fiscal impact studies of proposed changes.  We endorse state and individual water rights.

Water Quality

      We recognize the need to maintain the quality of Idaho’s water resources.

Clean Water Act

      We support the agriculture industry’s commitment to reducing non-point source pollution.  We support volunteer nutrient/pesticide management.  We encourage all agriculture interest to use Best Management Practices as guidelines for protecting our water.  We support re-authorization of the Clean Water Act and encourage the Idaho congressional delegation to work to ensure that the Act recognizes agriculture’s progressive history of pollution abatement.

Public Lands

      We support multiple-use management of public lands within Idaho with due regard for the privileges extended to traditional users.  We further support that weed control policies, regulations and guidelines as established by specific agencies of government be maintained on all public lands.