Glyphosate MRL Action Plan

Todd Scholz, Director of Research USADPLC

IR-4 Western Region SLR Meeting: Glyphosate Lentil MRL Issue

March 14, 2012

Poster Children

Summary

• What happened?

• What did we do?

• What else can we do?

• Lessons Learned

The Situation

• Organic Trade Show in Germany

• January, 2011 • Glyphosate Found • Exceeded EU MRL for all

lentils

• Glyphosate is often used for pre-harvest crop management in lentils

• Labeled for all Pulses in US and Canada

The Situation

• Pre-2004 every country issued its own MRLs independently

• Canadian and US pulse industry began “quest” for harmonization through NAFTA processes (part of our “Reduced Risk” strategy)

• EPA and PMRA agreed to do a Pulse Harmonization for MRL’s

• By 2007, the two countries were using same calculations and issuing coordinated MRL’s

Roots to the Problem

Source: UN/FAO ProdSTAT, USDA/FAS

Crop EU Canada US Lentils 0.1 4 8

Peas 10 5 8

Beans 2 2 5

Canola 10 10 20

Wheat 10 5 30

Barley 20 10 30 Wild Mushroom 50

•Problem: Glyphosate on Lentils Vastly Different than other crops in EU

Glyphosate MRL Comparison (ppm)

What are the Potential Impacts to Industry?

2009 Select EU Countries Lentil Production & Imports (MT)

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

France Germany Greece Italy Spain UK

Production

Imports

Source: UN/FAO ProdSTAT, USDA/FAS

Fact Sheet • EU lentil production falls far below lentil

demand.

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

2009 Total EU Production & Imports

Other ImportsUS ImportsCAN ImportsEU Production

Source: UN/FAO ProdSTAT, USDA/FAS

MT

85% of all EU lentils are imported

Glyphosate MRL Does Not Pose a Human Health Risk

1. Studies show no adverse health impacts on daily intake of 2 mg of glyphosate per KG of body weight. (Source: EPA)

2. A 50 kg person would have to consume 20 kg per day of foods with glyphosate residues of 5 ppm to reach the intake threshold.

• Blocking lentil imports from the US and Canada is not likely to reduce glyphosate dietary intake in the EU. • Lentils provide advantages in health, nutrition and the environment. • Imported lentils in the EU have a retail value over US $500 million.

Facts About Glyphosate and Lentils

Water Footprint

1,857 Gallons/lb

756 Gallons/lb

368 Gallons/lb

216 Gallons/lb 469

Gallons/lb

43 Gallons/lb

Beef

Pork

Chicken Peanuts

Soybeans

Pulses

43 gallons of water to produce one pound of pulses. 1,857 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.

Source: Arjen Y. Hoekstra and Ashok Chapagain, Globalization of Water, U. of Twente, Waterfootprint.org National Geographic, April 2010

EU MRL Process Application- Data package

Monsanto EPA, PMRA

EU Commission

EU Rappatour – Glyphosate Karston Hohengardt, German BVL

EU Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

DG SANCO- Poudelet

EU Commission 12 Months/More

Short Term Strategy

Goal: How to keep the trade flowing until the EU Regulators and Commission approve a science based MRL for lentils

• Met with DG SANCO, May 4, 2011

Long Term Strategy

Goal: Establish a science based MRL in the EU for lentils

• Submit data package to EU Rapporteur • Work through EU regulatory process • Technical Strategy • EU Political Strategy • Communication Strategy

Communication Strategy

• Sheet

• Frequently Asked Questions

• What is glyphosate and an MRL?

• Why is the EU MRL different from the US and Canadian MRL for lentils?

• Does glyphosate pose a human health risk?

• What is the approved procedure to test for glyphosate?

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

• How long will it take for the EU to change the MRL for lentils?

• Is there an interim plan in place to continue providing lentils that are compliant with EU regulations?

• Why are glyphosate-free lentils not available from the US and Canada today?

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions, con’t

Further Actions

• Met w/Administrators and Industry in May

• Package to CODEX in June • Communications with Growers! • CODEX submission takes two years. • Conducted Residue Trials this summer. • Ring Test of Laboratories

Further Actions

• More Communications with Growers

• International Priority Listing of Pesticides—MRLs in CODEX

• Crop Group Definitions • NAFTA Harmonization Renewal • Alternatives to Glyphosate

Status Report

• Glyphosate MRL Approved by DG SANCO • Glyphosate MRL to be reviewed at CODEX CPR • Priorities submitted to CODEX • Developing International Coordination among

Pulse Industry

Where do we go from Here?

MRL’s

Visit to Parma

Parma Ham & Parma Cheese

Todd Scholz, USADPLC and Mark Goodwin, Pulse Canada

MCFA Team with EFSA Representatives at Parma

Coordination with European Food Safety Agency

MRL Coordination Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and CODEX

DG Sanko, DG Agriculture, COPA CoGECA,

Lessons Learned

• An Emergency Action Plan is Good.

• MRLs are next Non-Tariff Trade Barrier

• It is good to attend meetings sometimes.

• IR-4 is Critical for Minor Crops.

• Lois Rossi is the Greatest!

Thank you, are there any questions?