15TH INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION CONGRESS
RE-SCHEDULED FOR 11-16 MAY 2004
The 15th IPCC was postponed because of the SARS problem. The hope is that most of those that originally planned to attend will be able to do so. The organizers recognize that there will be some cancellations so that the Programme and Proceedings will need to be reframed. For important information regarding the change of dates and the schedule for abstracts and registration for the 2004 meeting date, please visit the web site at:
http://www.ipmchina.net
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 35TH SESSION OF
THE CODEX COMMITTEE ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES
The 35th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) was held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands from 31 March to 5 April 2003. The session, which was chaired by Dr. H.J. Jeuring of the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, was attended by 51 member countries and 11 international organizations. Considerable discussion occurred related to the increasing workload of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). JMPR is responsible for reviewing toxicological and related data in the process of establishing pesticide residue limits in food and thus is an integral part of CCPR's process of gaining member acceptance of residue limits, which are an important aspect of world trade. The use of dietary exposure in the process of setting residue limits was a topic of discussion. Because the process of establishing maximum residue limits (MRLs) takes so long, the possibility was introduced of establishing national MRLs as interim MRLs for newly introduced, often safer, pesticides. CCPR agreed in principle to initiate this project at the next session with the stipulation that certain preparatory work must occur.
U.S./CANADA METHYL BROMIDE WORKING GROUP
ANNUAL MEETING
The U.S./Canada Working Group was formed as a means of discussing issues of mutual interest associated with the phase out of the fumigant, methyl bromide, under the provisions of the Montreal Protocol. The 2003 meeting was held May 28-29 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was devoted to post harvest issues. Prior to the formal meeting, the group enjoyed a tour of the Dow AgroSciences facility in Indianapolis. In the meeting several presentations addressed the process for evaluating nominations for critical uses of methyl bromide that would be allowed after the 2005 phase out. Registration issues of alternatives to methyl bromide were discussed by both Canadian and U.S. representatives. Seven presentations addressed various possibilities for post harvest treatments including chemicals, storage environmental factors, methyl bromide removal and heat treatment. The meeting ended with a tour of a flour mill that had been fumigated with a chemical alternative to methyl bromide.
3RD PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON PESTICIDE SCIENCE
The third Pan-Pacific Conference on Pesticide Science was held June 1-4, 2003 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaii. There were 178 attendees from 13 countries. Oral presentations were divided between two topics, New Discoveries and Environmental Fate & Safety Management. Under the topic of New Discoveries, sessions were held on (biopesticides and transgenic crops, (2) combinatorial chemistry, (3) mode of action, (4) natural products, (5) new chemistry/green chemistry, and (6) control agents for vectors of communicable diseases. The topic of Environmental Fate & Safety Management included sessions on (1) environmental chemistry/residue analysis, (2) environmental fate, (3) environmental risk assessment, (4) metabolism, (5) resistance and management for pesticides, and (6) advances in formulation and application technology. The attendees showed particular interest in biopesticides and transgenic crops, natural products, green chemistry and control agents for vectors of communicable diseases. The poster session on general topics had outstanding participation with 60 posters presented. In this session the Best Presentation Award was given to Dr. Minakuchi of Kyoto University for her poster entitled "Binding Activity of Ecdyson Agonists Against Expressed Ecdyson-Receptor Proteins of Chilo suppressalis."
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GLOBAL COOPERATION TO CONTROL INVASIVE SPECIES
German or Cape ivy (Senecio mikanioides) was introduced into the U.S. from South Africa as an ornamental vine in the late 1800s. Taken out of its native environment, the vine escaped and now infests natural coastal areas from California to Oregon and is also a problem in the native upland forests on the island of Hawaii. In its native South Africa the vine is actually difficult to find. Scientists found this interesting and realized that there must be natural enemies that suppressed the spread of the vine there. Researchers from the ARS Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California and from the Plant Protection Research Institute in Pretoria, South Africa initiated a search for natural enemies. They have identified several insects that could possibly serve as biological controls. Two of these have been brought to the quarantine facility in Albany for further testing. This testing is expected to take three to four years and is designed to make certain that the insects don't feed on desirable plants. Finding an insect that feeds specifically on this invasive plant is a key criterion for a safe biological control agent.
NEW EDITOR FOR THE IAPPS NEWSLETTER
Beginning with the next newsletter, Dr. Manu Tamo will assume the duties of Editor. Dr. Tamo is with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture posted at their Biological Control Center in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Dr. Nancy Ragsdale, ARS/USDA, is stepping down from the position after having served several years in this capacity.
The IAPPS Newsletter is published by the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences and distributed in Crop Protection to members and other subscribers. Crop Protection, published by Elsevier, is the Official Journal of IAPPS.
IAPPS Mission: to provide a global forum for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, integrating, and promoting plant protection concepts, technologies, and policies that are economically, environmentally, and socially acceptable.
It seeks to provide a global umbrella for the plant protection sciences to facilitate and promote the application of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to a the world's crop and forest ecosystems.
Membership Information: IAPPS has four classes of membership (individual, affiliate, associate, and corporate) which are described in the IAPPS Web Site at .
The IAPPS Newsletter welcomes news, letters, and other items of interest from individuals and organizations. Address correspondence and information to:
Dr. Manu Tamo, Editor
IAPPS Newsletter
