20021022 Cpda Festf Update

FESTF Update CRADA: FESTF will formally present a concept for a “CRADA Alternate” to EPA. This and concerns about the circumstances surrounding SDTF have brought any movement of the CRADA to a halt within OPP. FESTF met with FEAD to develop a means to move forward on the CRADA or an alternate plan and has a series of meetings set up to reach a conclusion on this issue. IMS Operations: The IMS is available for use by FESTF members and EPA-FESTF liaison representatives on a non-regulatory basis. The FESTF extension request is in the hands of Debra Edwards and while the time interval appears to not be an issue, we do not know how EPA will react to our “deadline” for action on their end on the CRADA. We have proposed that an alternate to the CRADA be agreed to if the CRADA is not signed by the end of November. Meetings: The task force held several additional strategic planning calls, and two regular committee meetings (Administrative and Technical). Jennifer Shaw and others have participated in CLA’s “STRESS” meetings and have provided input where appropriate. ESPP held a public meeting on its proposed program that was well attended by industry, users and the environmental community. While many thoughts and opinions were collected (and none unexpected), the meeting appeared to be rather canned and simply a box that had to be checked before the formal program is announced (scheduled for December FR publication). FESTF’s latest “Critical Interactions” meeting was rather difficult because Arty was quite unhappy about the user community “surprising her” with an alternate proposal to the CRADA. However, we have a clear path forward to address her concerns. Financial Issues:

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Transcript of 20021022 Cpda Festf Update

FESTF Update

CRADA: FESTF will formally present a concept for a “CRADA Alternate” to EPA. This and concerns about the circumstances surrounding SDTF have brought any movement of the CRADA to a halt within OPP. FESTF met with FEAD to develop a means to move forward on the CRADA or an alternate plan and has a series of meetings set up to reach a conclusion on this issue.

IMS Operations: The IMS is available for use by FESTF members and EPA-FESTF liaison representa-tives on a non-regulatory basis. The FESTF extension request is in the hands of Debra Edwards and while the time interval appears to not be an issue, we do not know how EPA will react to our “deadline” for action on their end on the CRADA. We have proposed that an alternate to the CRADA be agreed to if the CRADA is not signed by the end of November.

Meetings: The task force held several additional strategic planning calls, and two regular committee meetings (Administrative and Technical). Jennifer Shaw and others have participated in CLA’s “STRESS” meetings and have provided input where appropriate.

ESPP held a public meeting on its proposed program that was well attended by industry, users and the environmental community. While many thoughts and opinions were collected (and none unexpected), the meeting appeared to be rather canned and simply a box that had to be checked before the formal program is announced (scheduled for December FR publication).

FESTF’s latest “Critical Interactions” meeting was rather difficult because Arty was quite unhappy about the user community “surprising her” with an alternate proposal to the CRADA. However, we have a clear path forward to address her concerns.

Financial Issues: The projected total expenditures for the year are as expected. The total expenditures of FESTF are still projected to be under the cap set at the initiation of the program. An assessment for the year was issued this month, and it is expected that this assessment will fund the FESTF through most of 2003. Member Status: There have been no membership changes. Members of the task force are Albaugh, BASF, Bayer/Aventis, Dow Agrosciences, DuPont, FMC, ISK, Monsanto, NuFarm, Nissan, Syngenta, Uniroyal and Valent. There have been two inquires on possible new memberships (confidential at this time).