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The IR -4 Ornamental Program is beginning to plan for the 2013 IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Workshop. Ornamental crop producer input is critical in helping the IR – 4 program identify pest control priorities for plant diseases, insects and weeds. This data is considered a valuable and much needed part of the 2013 Ornamental Horticulture Workshop. At the Workshop research priorities are determined for 2014/2015. These priorities allow the IR – 4 program to direct appropriate research and funding to address the data needs required in applications to US EPA for ornamental pesticide label approvals. The IR – 4 program has designed a survey through Survey Monkey to get ornamental crop producer input. Ornamental growers are encouraged to take a few minutes and participate in the brief survey found here to help establish priorities for next year's IR – 4 Ornamental Workshop. For more information contact Dr. Cristi Palmer, IR – 4 Ornamentals Program Manager at palmer@aesop.rutgers.edu.

Filed under: IR-4 • research

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ANLA, the National Christmas Tree Association, and dozens of other organizations concerned about preserving tools to manage pests have mobilized to oppose a budget consolidation that threatens the IR-4 Project. IR-4 is a special cooperative project that develops data critical for registering crop protection tools for so-called “minor uses” like nursery and greenhouse crops. Over time, IR-4 has facilitated the registration of at least half the tools available to our industry to manage pests. Yet, the program is in jeopardy due to a proposed bureaucratic program consolidation. Thanks to all who have contacted Congress to oppose this consolidation. For more, visit www.capwiz.com/anla/, or www.SaveIR-4.org.

Filed under: legislation • IR-4