WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, more than 400 leaders from the pesticide industry, government, and allied stakeholders gathered virtually for the 2021 CropLife America (CLA), RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)®, and the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) Regulatory Conference to discuss how the past year has highlighted the importance of science and the role it plays in improving our daily lives. The conference, which kicked-off on Earth Day, addressed issues including the integrity of the regulatory process and the role of pesticides in addressing climate change and enhancing agricultural sustainability.

“The timing of this year’s conference, coinciding with Earth Day, provided an important reminder of the role that technology and innovation, including pesticides, have played in improving the safety of our food and the quality of our environment” said Chris Novak, president and CEO of CLA. “Pesticides have enabled farmers to use conservation tillage and cover crops as tools to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and sequester carbon. Better chemistries delivered through better science are helping improve our planet and preserve our soils and our productivity for future generations. Science underpins everything we do as an industry in serving farmers and consumers. This conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss these important topics.”

“The Regulatory Conference continues to be our industry’s preeminent regulatory and scientific gathering, bringing together expertise and perspectives from within our industry, from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, from EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator and from other federal agencies. This week’s conversations gave us deeper insight into the current state of pesticide innovation and regulation, and what we are working toward for the future so we can continue to deliver the solutions people count on,” added Megan J. Provost, president of RISE.

Since 2009, the Regulatory Conference has provided a forum to discuss the evolving science and regulation behind crop protection and specialty pesticide products. Each year, interactive sessions encourage open discussion among industry, stakeholders and federal regulators about the issues facing our industries. This is the first year that CPDA, the premiere advocate for agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient suppliers, joined the conference as a co-host, offering perspective on issues facing their members.