Pesticide Industry Executives Available for Comment About Endangered Species Act Lawsuit in Washington State

10/9/2003

From: Karen Reardon of CropLife America, 202-872-3864 or kreardon@croplifeamerica.org

News Advisory:

On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, parties to the lawsuit, Washington Toxics Coalition v. Environmental Protection Agency, including intervenors, CropLife America, filed statements about proposed injunctive relief to be ordered by the court. The case is pending in United States District Court Western District of Washington at Seattle and was originally filed in January 2001 with plaintiffs alleging that EPA had failed to implement an Endangered Species Act-compliant consultation process with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Services for certain aspects of pesticide registration. At an Aug. 14, 2003, oral hearing Judge Coughenour ordered plaintiffs, defendants and intervenors to negotiate the form of injunctive order -- these discussions were unsuccessful, resulting in individual proposals being submitted by Earth Justice Foundation, representing Washington Toxics Coalition and U.S. Justice Department, representing EPA.

WHO: E. Allen James, president, RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)

Douglas T. Nelson, executive vice president and general counsel, CropLife America

WHAT: Available to discuss the consumer-use pesticide and crop protection industry positions as intervenors in the lawsuit.

Representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other members of the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry, RISE unites and speaks for the industry on environmental and regulatory issues. Specialty pesticides are used in forestry, nursery and greenhouse operations, turf and ornamental applications, vegetation management and to control public health pests such as mosquitoes, cockroaches and ticks. Specialty fertilizers improve the environment by promoting health and vigorous growth of desirable plants. Association members believe it is important to highlight the specialty industry's contributions to the research and development of environmentally sound products and to show support for appropriate legislation, based on demonstrated need and sound science.

Established in 1933, CropLife America represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all the crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers.