ABOUT US
The Commission has 12 voting members representing agricultural and non-agricultural sectors including: nursery and landscape, professional pesticide applicator, hop, grape, vegetable and seed, potato, wheat, tree fruit, food processing, berry, chemical manufacturing, and forestry. The Commission also has five non-voting members representing state agencies including the Washington State Departments of Agriculture, Health, Ecology, and Labor and Industries as well as Washington State University. The WSCPR funds projects are in three categories: protection of human health, protection of the environment, and supporting the local and regional economies.
our STORY
WSCPR
The Legislature created the Commission to address the high cost of obtaining and maintaining EPA pesticide registrations and ensure Washington growers had access to safe and effective pest control products. Since its inception in 1995, the cost to secure EPA required pesticide registrations has increased due to strengthening of regulations and registration requirements. The EPA registration process includes evaluating a wide variety of potential human health and environmental effects associated with use of the product. Recognizing the need to provide a broad array of pest management options, the 1999 legislature instructed the WSCPR to expand its mandate with projects that do not rely on registration of pesticides including biological, mechanical and cultural control of pests.
The Commission holds an annual specialty crop tour to educate agrichemical company managers, legislative and regulatory representatives and their staff, and academic administrators on the pest control needs and pesticide issues important to Washington agriculture.