The U. S. IR-4 Program and the Canadian Connection

As a significant Canadian delegation traveled back from the most recent U. S. IR-4 Food Use workshop in Cleveland, Ohio, I took time to reflect upon the 14 year relationship we have built with our colleagues down south.

Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) began over 45 years ago to assist U. S. specialty crop and minor crop producers in accessing much needed pest management solutions and to ensure that producers of these crops could compete in a global marketplace.

The IR-4 project is a cooperative program of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the U. S. land grant university system, with the principle goal of developing data to support and to expedite regulatory clearances of newer, reduced risk pest control products for specialty crop growers. With headquarters at Rutgers University, and Regional State University Offices at the University of California, Cornell University, University of Florida and Michigan State University, and research laboratories and field research centers located in twenty-five states, the IR-4 project conducts the research necessary to support a wide variety of specialty crop pest control applications necessary to maintain a stable and safe food supply for the U. S. and to deliver a wealth of ornamental crops that brings value to U.S. households and neighbourhoods. The IR-4 project provides the field trial and laboratory residue data necessary for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clearance of minor crop tolerances and approval of new uses for pest control product labels. By securing labelled registrations for pest management tools, the IR-4 project has been filling the gaps in pest management tools for specialty crop growers for many years.

Because both Canadian and U. S. specialty crop producers suffer from many of the same crop pests (insects, diseases and weeds) and trade of produce and food products between the two countries is very significant, efforts were initiated during the late 1990's to facilitate collaboration between Canada's minor use program for specialty crop producers and the U. S. IR-4 project.

Because of a long-standing history of non-harmonized access to pest control products between the U. S. and Canada efforts were undertaken to meet with our U. S. colleagues on a regular basis to determine areas of common concern and interest. In order to facilitate trade and reduce the headaches of non-tariff trade barriers on both sides of the border, this relationship has blossomed into a full-fledged partnership that benefits specialty crop producers in both countries.

For crops that are grown in both countries and that have been identified as having specific pest management needs, our collaborations with the U. S. IR-4 program have led to the establishment of many joint projects between the two countries. Research to establish new uses of reduced risk pest control products is conducted at the same time on both sides of the border, saving both countries valuable resources. Data preparation and submission to both countries' regulatory agencies at the same time facilitates not only access to these new pest management options, but reduces or eliminates trade barriers.

Producers of cucumbers in Michigan and Ontario can protect their crops from devastating pests equally when joint projects are undertaken. Producers of cranberries in Quebec and Maine can protect their crops from diseases which know no borders and apple producers in British Columbia and Washington state can work together to manage new pests that may occur along the Pacific coast.

Today almost 20% of the active minor use label expansion projects in Canada are joint projects with the U. S. IR-4 program. In fact in 2002, the Canadian federal government responded to the serious concerns of Canadian specialty crop producers and formed the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (PMC) which mirrored the structure and goals of the U. S. IR-4 program.

As a result of over a decade of this close working relationship, we have built trust and a mutual understanding that we share common concerns and goals. At the most recent IR-4 meeting in Cleveland a strong delegation of Canadians representing producers, provinces, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the PMC and Canadian pest control product companies took part in this annual priority-setting workshop where the top priority projects for the coming year are established.

In March of each year, colleagues from the U. S. attend the Canadian version of this meeting held in Ottawa. The relationship has greatly improved upon our ability to address North American specialty crop producer's needs while at the same time built robust and long-standing partnerships between producer organizations and governments.

In an era of global trade and global economic challenge it is more important than ever that we work together to address issues of common concern. Furthermore the success of the Canada - U. S. partnership has captured the attention of other nations such as Australia, New Zealand and several European countries which have recently led to the establishment of multilateral joint minor use projects.