From: The Honorable Tulsi Gabbard
Sent By: Dave.Chun@mail.house.gov
Date: 3/14/2016

DEADLINE: COB Monday, MARCH 14.

Dear Colleague,

We ask that you join us in our letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies requesting them to fund Areawide Integrated Pest Management (AIPM) in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Agricultural Research Services (ARS).

AIPM has a proven record in helping to increase return on investments for farmers, ranchers, dairymen, and land managers in their battle to suppress invasive species.  Invasive species are responsible for crop loss, livestock deaths, and deforestation that cost our economy billions of dollars each year.  The goal of AIPM is to:

• Support long-term and sustainable solutions to reduce the impact of noxious pests on agriculture, ranching/dairy, and natural resources.
• Increase return on investments for farmers, ranchers, dairymen, and land managers by providing them with multiple pest management tactic options.
• Empower end-users – farmers, ranchers, dairymen, and land managers – to take a larger role in creating solutions for their businesses and industries.
• Support improved use of federal dollars through competition to control and/or eradicate nuisance pests.
• Protect human health and the environment.

The request to support AIPM in NIFA and ARS is consistent with the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, which directs federal agencies to use IPM techniques in carrying out pest management activities and promote IPM through procurement and regulatory policies.  It also is in line with NIFA’s Crop Protection and Pest Management Program, which is to provide support for research, extension and education through a mixture of national and regional competitive grant competitions that address five program areas as follows:  plant protection tactics and tools, diversified IPM systems, enhancing agricultural biosecurity, IPM for sustainable communities, and development of the next generation of IPM scientists.

We must fully support these AIPM efforts that have proven results and will help curb the economic losses caused by invasive species.  If you would like to sign on the letter, please notify my legislative assistant, Dave Chun at Dave.Chun@mail.house.gov or 5-4906 by Monday, March 14, 2016.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Tulsi Gabbard                                                                         Jerry McNerney

Member of Congress                                                               Member of Congress

Pedro R. Pierluisi                                                                   John Garamendi

Member of Congress                                                              Member of Congress

Mark Takai

Member of Congress

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March XXX, 2016

Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Farr:

As you consider the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we respectfully request that you support Areawide Integrated Pest Management (AIPM) systems in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (CP/PM Program) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).  We request the following language be included in the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee report.

Report Language:  “The Committee supports NIFA in the development and implementation of AIPM projects.  We are impressed with the development of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program.  The Committee adds an additional $5 million to this program and directs the Agency to implement AIPM programs that are to be planned in coordination with ARS and other federal agencies and implemented by cross-institutional teams (including farmers, ranchers, land managers, etc.) at the local level.”

Report Language:  “The Committee supports the highly effective efforts of ARS’ work on AIPM and commends the Agency for its continued commitment to AIPM.  The Committee directs the Agency to use $5 million for AIPM so that existing programs can be adequately funded and new efforts can be designed and implemented across the country.”

AIPM systems consistently show an increase return on investments for farmers, ranchers, dairymen, and land managers.  AIPM systems provides them with multiple pest management options using tactics that are developed specifically to control pests on appropriate geographic areas typically larger than a single field or farm.

Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), scientists, farmers, ranchers, and land managers agree that AIPM strategies have important economic, health, and environmental benefits.  The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 directs federal agencies to use IPM techniques in carrying out pest management activities and promote IPM through procurement and regulatory policies, and other activities.

AIPM is in line with NIFA’s CP/PM Program, which is to provide support for research, extension and education through a mixture of national and regional competitive grant competitions that address five program areas as follows:  plant protection tactics and tools, diversified IPM systems, enhancing agricultural biosecurity, IPM for sustainable communities, and development of the next generation of IPM scientists.

Former Presidents have highlighted the significance of IPM techniques.  President Richard Nixon directed the USDA, National Science Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency “to launch a large-scale integrated pest management research and development program.”  President James Carter directed federal agencies to “support and adopt IPM strategies wherever practicable.”  In 1993, the Clinton IPM Initiative was launched with a goal of having 75 percent of U.S. crops acreage under IPM by 2000.  More recently, President Barack Obama, directed federal departments to utilize IPM tactics to enhance pollinator habitat.

Clearly, the mandate to develop and implement large scale AIPM has been around and generally supported for many years.  The problem however, has been lack of adequate funding and a coordinated central effort to select and implement such projects.

NIFA and ARS have a long history of managing large research grants that adhere to a consortium approach involving multiple institutions such as federal agencies, state governments, educational and research institutions, and extension efforts in combination with local communities and stakeholders.  Thus, we fully endorse funding for AIPM within NIFA and ARS, and ask for your favorable consideration of our request.

Again, thank you for your consideration.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Dave Chun at 6-1205 or Dave.chun@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Tulsi Gabbard                                                                         Jerry McNerney

Member of Congress                                                               Member of Congress

Pedro R. Pierluisi                                                                   John Garamend

Member of Congress                                                              Member of Congress

Mark Takai

Member of Congress