Karen Morrison

The meeting included discussions on volatile organic compound emissions from pesticides, focusing on the 2019-2023 period, and an update on DPR's continuous evaluation and mitigation efforts. The VOC emissions discussion covered the history of DPR's VOC Emissions Report, key findings, and regulatory limits in various non-attainment areas. The update on DPR's efforts included reevaluation and mitigation activities, timelines, milestones, and the implementation of AB 2113, which aims to improve transparency and accountability. The committee also discussed pesticide prioritization processes and scientific advisory committees, as well as active ingredients going through active mitigation.

The meeting included a grants program update and presentations on Alliance Grant projects. One project focused on demonstrating UV-C technology for strawberry pest management, discussing its cost-effectiveness, impact on fruit quality, and potential integration with other IPM methods. Another project presented strategies for promoting insect pest suppression through natural enemy habitat, addressing outreach to growers and potential conflicts with plant health. A third project covered best management practices for herbicide-based approaches to invasive plant management, including updates to a related website.

The meeting included opening comments and background, with welcomes to new committee members and announcements from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The Alliance Grant proposal overview highlighted the focus of the meeting, updates regarding the 2025 Alliance Grants Program, available funding of $1.9 million, and six priority topic areas. There was a discussion of proposals, including merits, concerns, and points of clarification for projects such as Grapevine IPM, Small Farm Resources, IPM for Low-Income Housing, Roadside Weed IPM, IPM in Lassen County, SIT for ACP, Pollinator Partnership, Healthy Homes in South Los Angeles, IPM for Beekeeping, Backyard Citrus, XR Tech for Training, Precision Weed Control, Smart Probes, Contra Costa RCD, SPM Training, Laguna Beach EDRR, Shot Hole Borer Pilot Project, and Sanitation Trainings. The meeting concluded with a decision on recommendations and closing remarks.

The meeting included opening comments, background information, and a research grant proposal overview. Discussions covered topics such as nonchemical control in pistachio and almond, entomopathogens for walnut husk fly, microwave technology to control Macrophomina in strawberry, receptor interference technologies for insect pests, low-risk mosquito control, the impact of high temperature and chitin synthesis inhibitors on termites, RNAi-based resistance in walnut, dusts and sucralose for cockroach control, biofungicides for powdery mildew, a bedbug insecticide resistance diagnostic test, biocontrols for fungus in California forestry, rootstock incorporated protectants, borate timber treatment, citrus screen houses, AI for IPM in tree nuts, IPM for eucalyptus beetle, fungicide effects in citrus, a biochemical fungicide for powdery mildew, nematicide testing, and pesticide residues in pistachio. The committee also made decisions on recommendations.

The meeting included discussions on the 2023 VOC Emission Inventory Report and a proposed regulatory action for regulations concerning the groundwater protection list. A presentation was given on fumigant use in California and an assessment of available alternatives, focusing on 1,3-D and chloropicrin. The CDFA's Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) was discussed, including its role, work categories, and recent projects. Additionally, human health findings from draft assessments of non-agricultural uses of neonicotinoids were presented, covering health effects, incident reports, and exposure scenarios.