Pesticide Registration Improvement Act PRIA
The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act amended FIFRA in 2004 to give the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the authority to collect fees to review and register pesticide products. The popular statute was subsequently renewed twice by Congress. Although PRIA III was set to expire on September 30, 2017, it has been included in stopgap government funding measures known as “continuing resolutions” to temporarily carry PRIA III forward while Congress considers a full reauthorization.
HCPA continues to advocate for the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act (PRIA IV). HCPA works alongside allied trade associations and other organizations representing environmental and worker safety concerns to help usher the legislation through Congress. Passing PRIA IV remains one of HCPA’s top federal legislative priorities.
Registration Fees
Legislators across the country are constantly reviewing the cost of registering pesticides in their states. Consumer pesticides provide vital public health benefits. These products are used as disinfectants, protect against disease carrying pests, and play crucial roles in creating healthy homes, and workplaces. HCPA does not oppose reasonable registration fees that fund the cost of administering state registration programs and services that benefit all pesticide registrants. However, HCPA opposes fees that are dedicated to funding of special programs, unrelated to consumer protection and health benefits. For example in Florida this year, HCPA was successful in repealing a supplemental pesticide registration fee that was used to fund a research program at a state university.
Collaborating on Efficient Pesticide Regulations
In addition to its legislative work in Congress and state legislatures, HCPA works alongside the U.S. EPA on the implementation of various pesticide regulations. Recent projects include:
- Working with EPA’s Pesticide Registration Division to reduce inconsistent regulatory decisions on pesticide applications, requests for amendments, and other regulatory actions.
- Sharing concerns with EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs regarding disclosure of inert ingredients and compliance with retailer transparency initiatives.
- Developed comments for submission to EPA on “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda”, and comments on diquat dibromide to address industry-wide concerns of the proposed restrictions.
- Developing comments on the registration review of “Preliminary Comparative Environmental Fate and Ecological Risk Assessment for the Registration Review of Eight Synthetic Pyrethroids and Pyrethrins” to ensure that EPA considers the benefits to consumers and risk assessment refinement opportunities as part of the registration review.
- Coordinating efforts of members working with the EPA Pesticide Registration Division to draft updated and contemporary efficacy guidelines. EPA is planning to release revised guidelines on bed bugs, premise and fire ants in the near future.
