Article 9. University Of California Center For Pest Research of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 9.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the University of California Pest Research Act of 1990.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
  (a) There is a need to develop and apply ecologically based pest management alternatives that are environmentally sound to prevent, control, and eradicate pests.
  (b) The continuation of pest control technology in agriculture which relies primarily on synthetic chemicals may be impractical, given the dwindling number of newly registered chemicals, increasing resistance of numerous pests to pesticides, public concern about pesticide residues, and potential threats posed to environmental quality and human health.
  (c) To be adequately prepared for existing and new infestations of agricultural pests, California needs to have a means of coordinating and evaluating long-term basic and applied pest research, including the impact of prevention, control, and eradication efforts upon public health and the environment.
  (d) The state should facilitate, promote, and support collaborative pest research programs and projects by its agencies, public and private universities, the federal government, and the agricultural industry that work toward developing environmentally sound, ecologically based pest management techniques.
  (e) In order to strengthen pest prevention, control, and eradication efforts, it is the intent of the Legislature that an administrative structure be created within the University of California which, in cooperation with California's public and private universities, the state, the agricultural industry, and persons experienced with environmentally sound, ecologically based pest management alternatives, advances pest research and formulates innovative solutions that better safeguard the environment and public health. Toward these ends, the Legislature requests that the Regents of the University of California establish a pest research center which will review and prioritize pest-related research activities conducted through the university. It is the intent of the Legislature that University of California programs engaged in pest research shall, when applicable, follow the research priorities established by the center. The center is encouraged to develop research priorities in cooperation with other public and private universities and with state, federal, and county agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Food and Agriculture, State Department of Health Services, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, county agricultural commissioners, United States Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the agricultural industry, and with environmental and public and occupational health groups.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this section govern the construction of this article.
  (a) "Center" means the University of California Center for Pest Research.
  (b) "Pest" means any of the following pests that are, or are likely to become, dangerous or detrimental to the agricultural or nonagricultural environment of the state.
  (1) Any insect, nematode, or weed.
  (2) Any form of terrestrial, aquatic, or aerial plant, virus, fungus, bacteria, or other microorganism, except viruses, fungi, bacteria, or other microorganisms on, or in, a living human or any other living animal.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the responsibilities of the center include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
  (a) Establishing multidisciplinary, long-term research priorities for the University of California which focus on the application of ecologically based, environmentally sound prevention, control, and eradication practices against pests which pose a significant threat to the welfare of California's agricultural, forest, or urban settings.
  (b) Recommending how pest research funds obtained by the center on or after January 1, 1991, should be allocated within the University of California.
  (c) Encouraging the use of biological controls, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, and other alternative pest management methods to combat pests, and, thereby, reducing exposure to toxic substances in air, water, and soil.
  (d) Supporting basic and applied pest research, including practical field trials and awarding competitive grants, when economically feasible, and other projects administered by the center.
  (e) Developing information systems that enable academics, farmers, and public policymakers to quickly analyze and apply pest research data.
  (f) Providing information and advice to the department, county agricultural commissioners, the agricultural community, and other interested parties concerning pest prevention and detection through outreach consultation, information dissemination, education services, demonstrations, seminars, and publications.
  (g) Printing and distributing information related to center-sponsored and other University of California pest management research projects.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the center, through its director, develop a list of recommended pest management research priorities for the University of California that emphasize and encourage the development and implementation of biological controls, sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management strategies, agroecology, cultural and mechanical practices, and other alternative pest management methods and programs which are ecologically based and environmentally sound.
  (b) In developing pest management research recommendations, the center is encouraged to give high priority to alternative practices and strategies that address the reduction, control, or eradication of pests, including exotic pests, which represent the greatest threat to public health and safety or the economy of the state.
  (c) In developing recommended exotic pest research priorities, the center is encouraged to give high priority to all of the following:
  (1) Development of methods to determine the origin of exotic pests.
  (2) Determination of the age and origin of exotic pests.
  (3) Geographic analysis of exotic pests to determine place of origin, including acoustical fingerprinting.
  (4) Improvements to existing exotic pest insect baits.
  (5) An examination of the manner in which the sterile insect technique actually works and improvements in sterile insect technology.
  (6) Assessments of wild exotic pest populations, and their regulating biological agents.
  (7) Studies of exotic pests and their natural enemies in climates similar to that of the various regions in California.
  (8) The exploration and introduction of natural enemies, including those from foreign countries, if necessary.
  (9) Computerization of all records of exotic pest captures.
  (10) Improvements in detection technology, which include better attractants.
  (11) Compilation, maintenance, and updated data about exotic pest research and exotic pest management programs operating within and outside the state.

To the extent that it is economically and scientifically feasible, it is the intent of the Legislature that the center shall award pest research funds obtained by the center on or after January 1, 1991, based upon a competitive application process and peer review. The center is encouraged to give high priority to exotic pest research proposals. In awarding pest research funds, the center shall give priority to proposals that support pest control methods which use ecologically based and environmentally sound alternatives to pesticides and other chemicals, and eliminate or reduce pesticide use or eliminate or minimize pesticide residues, protect the public health and environment, and satisfy a majority of the following criteria:
  (a) Are cost-effective.
  (b) Improve the agricultural industry and the state economy.
  (c) Do not significantly or extensively duplicate other research.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the University of California appoint a director of the center who is knowledgeable about pest management practices and research and alternative pest management techniques.

(a) The University of California shall prepare an annual report describing the activities of the center, major objectives and significant accomplishments of pest management research and extension programs at the University of California, and obstacles and opportunities toward developing and implementing pest management alternatives in the state. The report shall also include all of the following:
  (1) Identification and evaluation of major policy issues and needs in pest management research in California.
  (2) Identification of the long-range and short-term management research priorities established by the center.
  (3) Identification of environmentally sound, ecologically based alternatives to pesticides that are possible or probable human carcinogens or reproductive toxicants.
  (4) A summary and status information on all research proposals submitted through the center. The summary shall include both proposed and approved research projects.
  (b) The report shall be submitted to the Legislature not later than October 15 of each year.

If the center is established by the Regents of the University of California, it is the intent of the Legislature that the administrative costs of establishing the center shall be supported from existing resources of the university.

This article shall apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make any of these provisions applicable to the university.