The purpose of the state fifra issues research and evaluation group (sfireg) is to identify, evaluate and recommend solutions to pesticide issues that result from the implementation of fifra by…

The purpose of the state fifra issues research and evaluation group (sfireg) is to identify, evaluate and recommend solutions to pesticide issues that result from the implementation of fifra by state regulatory programs. The office of pesticide programs (OPP) has national program management responsibility for the federal insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide act (fifra), and works together with states, tribes, and other partners, to protect public health and the environment by regulating the sale and use of pesticides. The sfireg working committees include the pesticides operation and management (POM) working committee, which addresses policy and regulatory issues, the environmental quality issues (EQI) working committee, which addresses technical and environmental risk issues, and will stand up a new ESA working committee which will address state issues related to new ESA regulatory requirements. Sfireg will hold four in-person meetings each calendar year (2 full sfireg meetings; 2 joint working committee meetings). This cooperative agreement will support sfireg activities, which are critical to maintaining strong pesticide programs at the state and national level. Under this award, sfireg will continue its work identifying and evaluating emerging pesticide issues, and collaborating with EPA and other CO-regulators to address topics as they arise. Sfireg provides state regulatory agencies (slas) a platform from which to share their 'on-the-ground' perspective on issues such as certification and training, water quality, and endangered species. The strong partnership between sfireg and EPA ensures that information is communicated effectively and widely. The success of the national pesticide program depends on effective communication and cooperation between OPP and pesticide state lead agencies. Sfireg ensures that this essential regulatory relationship remains strong.activities:sfireg will hold four in-person meetings each calendar year (2 full sfireg meetings; 2 joint working committee meetings). In addition, they will stand up a new ESA working committee which will address state issues related to new ESA regulatory requirements. Organization approximate dates meeting length locations full sfireg june 1.5 days washington, D.C. Area december 1.5 days washington, D.C. Area joint WC april 2 days washington, D.C. Or other area september 2 days washington, D.C. Or other area subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:deliverables include: 1. 20 meetings over the five-year period. The sfireg committee will host four meeting annually for state lead agencies (slas) and EPA and maintain ongoing communication with EPA in the form of special purpose calls, issue papers, and comments to the docket on specific pesticide proposed actions. 2. Issue papers as needed on national pesticide issues of mutual concern. 3. Communication as needed on time sensitive state pesticide concerns and challenges.