The California rice industry takes a proactive approach to the registration, use and maintenance of pesticides also known as crop protection tools.
All pesticides used in California receive registration at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), followed by registration with the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Usually, rice pesticides receive registration in California one to two years later than other rice growing states. The California Rice Commission only supports registration of pesticides that do not have negative impacts to the environment or the economy.
Hosting rice tours for state and federal regulators and annual meetings with the U.S. EPA has built credibility between regulatory, decision makers and the California rice industry. The California Rice Commission is proud of its long-standing and positive relationship with the county agricultural commissioners, the UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Davis, and state and federal regulators.
The California rice industry takes a positive approach to working with the county and state and federal regulators on stewardship practices to ensure the rice industry maintains the short list of pesticides available to growers.