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Mission Statement: The Weed Control Association promotes responsible weed management stewardship through Education, Communication and Public Policy.
Idaho
Weed Control Association Legislative
Policy Statements
The
Idaho Weed Control Association (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
and Natural Resource Management Chemicals
We support the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),
and their jurisdiction for regulating agricultural chemicals and
herbicides used for managing vegetation on Federal and State administered
lands. We support the passage of federal legislation to amend the Clean
Water Act such that National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permits for pesticide applications are not required as long as the
application meets the standards and requirements of pesticide labels
developed under FIFRA. 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 and products
used to control vegetation on Private, State and Federal lands. We support legislation to facilitate the registration and re-registration of minor use crop protection products. 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 bilateral and multicultural trade agreements.
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 continuation and strengthening 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 ISDA, IWCA and IAWCS to
the state legislature on the progress and costs of controlling noxious
weeds 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, crop protection and
vegetation control products. We support a statewide biological control
coordinator to strategically manage and coordinate biological control
resources. Governmental
Affairs
The IWCA supports a responsible, efficient and fiscally-sound
government for the citizens of Idaho. Weed
Free Forage and Other Materials on Public Lands
We support the use of weed free forage and other materials on all
lands in Idaho and encourage all land managers to adopt the guidelines
similar to those established by the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of
Land Management. We also support the development of weed free criteria for
materials used in road maintenance, road construction and rehabilitation
of State and Federal lands in Idaho. 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. The
IWCA supports a responsible, efficient and fiscally-sound government for
the citizens of Idaho. Policy
Statements:
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.
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 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.
We support each county in Idaho establishing a fulltime, dedicated
position for coordination, education and implementation of weed control
efforts. We further support adequate funding for the position to provide
continuing education and for implementing a coordinated weed control
program in each county.
We support the Invasive Species Council and recommend continued
legislative support, funding, and oversight for the Idaho State Department
of Agriculture and the Council to protect Idaho’s environment from
threatening invasive species. We recommend that the Idaho Weed
Coordinating Committee and the Idaho Weed Control Association be
represented on the Council Invasive
Species Check Station
We support the continual operation of invasive species check
stations at designated points throughout Idaho for the prevention or
establishment of new invasive species. Furthermore, we support the
continued implementation of the “Invasive Species Sticker Fee” to
support program implementation. ISDA
Noxious Weed Cost Share Program
We
support the continued funding of the ISDA noxious weed cost share program
including funding from State legislative appropriations, gift, grant,
contract, other funds, grants in aid from the federal government or other
entities. The
IWCA supports and encourages involvement in activities and organizations
that enhance our industry and the members we represent. Policy Statements:
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 weed organizations
in determining support of state political candidates who endorse the needs
of the agriculture, natural resource industry. Crop
Protection/Vegetation Management Labels and Licensing We support the proper use of labeled crop protection/vegetation management 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/vegetation management products in our state. Storage of Crop Protection/Vegetation Management Products
We support peer reviewed science for approved applications or
storage of agriculture crop protection/vegetation management 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. 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. We support and encourage interstate cooperation between neighboring land grant universities to avoid costly duplication of research. 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 land managers to receive the latest in technology and education including weed management. Agricultural
Science and Technology
We support and
encourage agricultural programs at the secondary and post-secondary level.
We encourage the teaching of vegetation management, including
management of invasive weeds in 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. 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. 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 that 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 three 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 three regions to meet the needs of Idaho’s
citizens. Non
Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) We encourage land managers to continue to work with NGO’s with similar interests to coordinate weed control efforts for national resource protection from invasive weeds and to utilize their funding effectively. 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 StandardsWe 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/vegetation management products. 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.
We recognize the need
to maintain the quality of Idaho’s water resources.
We support the
agriculture industry’s commitment to reducing non-point source
pollution. We support
volunteer nutrient/pesticide management.
We encourage all agriculture interests and land managers 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. We
support the passage of federal legislation to amend the Clean Water Act
such that NPDES permits for pesticide applications are not required as
long as the applications meets the standards and requirements of pesticide
labels developed under FIFRA. We support multiple-use management of public lands within Idaho with due regard for the privileges extended to traditional users. We further support that effective weed control policies, regulations, guidelines, and funding be established and maintained by specific agencies of government on all public lands.
Read, Revised and Approved – July 2012
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