BPIA includes several committees that bring together the resources and the focus
necessary to achieve the organization's many objectives.
BPIA's Regulatory Committee is dedicated to fostering continued improvements to the biopesticide regulatory process. The committee meets periodically with key regulators at US EPA, California DPR and Canada's PMRA; individual members officially represent BPIA on the PRIA coalition and EPA's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC); other members cover key stakeholder meetings and often provide comments on behalf of the industry. Interactions with the regulators are utilized to raise and resolve issues, comment constructively on emerging policies and regulations, and learn how registrants can improve their submissions. It disseminates its findings to the membership via minutes posted on the website, email updates, and reports at membership meetings. The committee welcomes input and questions from the membership regarding regulatory issues that warrant attention.
Members: Olav Messherschmidt (OMC), Maria Herrero (Valent Biosciences), Chris Dively (Certis USA), Nina Wilson (Gowan), Steve Spaulding (Wellmark), Keith Pitts (Marrone Bio Innovations), Donna Bishel (BioSafe Systems), Gordon Sargent (Becker Underwood), Sue MacIntosh (MacIntosh & Associates)
Chair: Amy Roberts (TSG)
Secretary: Fred Betz (AgraQuest)
BPIA's Public Relations Committee facilitates the communication of biopesticide benefits through activities in print, in person, and online. These activities include the creation and placement of biopesticide-related articles in trade publications and websites, the coordination of BPIA promotion at industry trade shows and media gatherings, and serving as a resource for trade and mainstream journalists seeking interview contacts associated with information about biopesticide technology.
Members: Tim Damico (Certis USA), Mike Donaldson (Valent Biosciences), Pam Marrone (Marrone Bio Innovations), Eda Reinot (Becker Underwood), Bill Stoneman (Executive Director), Robin Siktberg (Meister Media Worldwide), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Valent Biosciences), Sarah Reiter (Agraquest)
Chair: Rick Melnick (Valent Biosciences)
BPIA's Membership Committee recruits new members for BPIA that meet the criteria for membership for the five membership categories ( Voting, Associate, Ad Hoc, Individual, and Public Research & Education ). The committee confirms that the applicants meet the criteria for membership in the appropriate categories and recommends prospective new members to the Board of Directors for final approval. New members agree to confirm that they have read the BPIA Operating Principals and understand their importance. BPIA membership has doubled the past two years to over 60 including 41 Voting and Associate companies and 20 Ad Hoc and Individual members. It is anticipated that the Public Research & Education membership will increase significantly as this new category is promoted. The committee expects overall membership to continue to increase as interest in biopesticides continues to escalate industry wide and as potential biopesticide companies, service providers, individuals, and public educators/researchers become better acquainted with the benefits that BPIA membership offer. Learn more about BPIA membership categories and qualifications by downloading a BPIA APPLICATION FORM.
Members: Mike Donaldson/Valent Bioscience, Steve Hartmeier/Consultant, Olav Messerschmidt/OMC Ag Consulting, Tom Rutherford/Oil-Dri Corporation and Kurt Schwartau/Ag Technology & Business Development.
Chair: Bob Holm (Consultant) 919-267-5404 or BobHolm@nc.rr.com
The BPIA Standards Committee evaluates and recommendes quality and efficacy standards for biopesticides, with the goal of supporting BPIA's mission of increasing the adoption of biopesticides.
Two surveys of growers, consultants and trade channel participants were commissioned in 2003 and 2008 to determine the specific barriers to the adoption of biopesticides. Based on these results, the Standards Committee has defined requirements that would be needed for end use and trade channel customers to assure that Biopesticide products provide expected value in their crop protection programs. A set of guidelines that include verification from companies selling biopesticides of valid and scientific efficacy trials, promotion and efficacy claims that are supported by these efficacy trials, as well as complaints records and other processes that insure the appropriate distribution, storage and overall product stewardship that is expected of these products. While official independent third party "certification" programs are under evaluation, all new members must agree to a set of "BPIA Operating Principles" in order to be accepted as a BPIA member.
Members: Bill Foster, (Bioworks Inc.), Mike Donaldson, (Valent BioSciences)
Chair: Pam Marrone, (Marrone Bio Innovations)
Three members are appointed by the BPIA Board Chair chosen from among the Board of Directors. It meets annually to nominate individuals from BPIA member companies to serve on the Board of Directors and to recommend individuals as chairs of standing Committees. The recommendations are made to the BPIA Board prior to the elections by the BPIA membership.
General Criteria for Selection of Nominees for BPIA Board of Directors:
1. Be a Voting Member of BPIA. (Non-voting members will also be given consideration.)
2. Membership dues must be current.
3. Have relevant experience in the biopesticide business – applicable to mission.
4. Membership in BPIA for at least one year, and served on a committee, demonstrating a history of participation.
5. Be willing and able to commit necessary time for Board meetings and related business, serve on committee(s) of interest based on expertise, and special assignments as appropriate.
6. This is volunteer position – all time and travel and other expenses are pro bono.
Members: Mike Donaldson (Valent Biosciences), Eda Reinot (Becker Underwood), and Fred Betz (AgraQuest, Inc.)
Established in 2010, the Outreach Committee, develops collaborative relationships with other organizations with similar objectives where appropriate to the benefit of BPIA and its members. Plans for 2011 are include Identifing target organizations and a rationale for the relationship. From 2011 to 2015 the objective will be to solidify the chosen relationships and develop collaborative plans to enhance both organizations. It is the responsibility of the Outreach Committee to further elaborate these objectives and establish specific plans/tactics and anticipated outcomes. The Outreach Committee is responsible to the board and its activities are subject to board review.
Chair: Marcus Meadows-Smith (AgraQuest, Inc.)
Members: Tobias Laengle( AAFCA), Sarah Reiter( AgraQues)t, Eda Reinot( Becker Underwood), BPIA Chairman (Ad hoc to this committee), Bill Foster (BioWorks),
Bill Stoneman BPIA, Ramon Georges (Brandt/Monterey), Tim Damico (Certis),
Pam Marrone (MBI), Rick Melnick (Valent Biosciences), Michael Braverman (USDA-IR-4), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Valent Biosciences), Deena Newell,( Sotts)
Established to develop efforts to educate lawmakers about BPIA and biological pesticides and to influence legislation as outlined in the BPIA 5-Year Strategic Plan, the Government Affairs Committee will be responsible for elaborating these objectives and establishing specific plans/tactics and anticipated outcomes. The Government Affairs Committee is responsible to the board and its activities are subject to board review. Plans for 2011-2015 include:
Identifing BPIA "Key Issues" and develop a plan to educate and influence legislation to meet BPIA needs.
Collaborating with other organizations.
Developing rapid response strategies and processes for Government Affairs and policy issues.
Chair: Dr. Pam Marrone (Marrone Bio Innovations)
Members: Ashish Malik (Agraquest), Willem Ravensberg, Steve Hartmeier, Bill Foster (Bioworks)