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. The committee disseminates its findings to the membership via minutes posted on the website, email updates, and reports at membership meetings. Input and questions from BPIA member companies regarding regulatory issues are welcome.
Members: Fred Betz (AgraQuest), Donna Bishel (BioSafe Systems), Chris Dively (Certis USA), John Fournier (Marrone Bio Innovations Alternate), Maria Herrero (Valent Biosciences), Patrick Langille (Agri-Neo), Olav Messerschmidt (OMC Ag Consulting), Keith Pitts (Marrone Bio Innovations), Liz Rea (Sipcam Agro USA, Inc), Amy Roberts (TSG), Gordon Sargent (Becker Underwood), Steve Spaulding (Wellmark), Bill Stoneman (Ad hoc member-BPIA Executive Director), Jeannie S. Hemiller ( Amvac Chemical Corporation), Nikki Yepez (Gowan Alternate)
Co-Chair: Nina Wilson (Gowan Co LLC)
Co-Chair: Sue MacIntosh (MacIntosh & Associates)
BPIA's Public Relations and Outreach Committee facilitates the communication of biopesticide benefits through activities in person, in print, and online. These activities include collaborative relationship building, knowledge transfer and outreach activities with individuals and organizations across the food value chain, the creation and placement of biopesticide-related articles in trade publications and websites, and the coordination of BPIA promotion at industry trade shows and media gatherings. The committee acts as the BPIA liaison to trade and mainstream journalists seeking interview contacts with information about biopesticide technology.
It is the responsibility of the PR and Outreach Committee to further elaborate these objectives and establish specific plans/tactics and anticipated outcomes in accordance with the BPIA long-range strategic plan. The PR and Outreach Committee is responsible to the BPIA board.
Chair: Rick Melnick (Valent BioSciences)
Members: Bill Stoneman (Executive Director), Eda Reinot, BPIA Chairman (Becker Underwood), Tobias Laengle (AAFCA), Ashish Malik (Bayer CropScience, Pam Marrone (Marrone Bio Innovations), Maureen Mazurek (Monsanto), Bill Foster (BioWorks), Tim Damico (Certis USA), Ramon Georges (Brandt/Monterey), Michael Braverman (USDA-IR-4), Deena Newell (Scotts), Ann Petersman (Emery Oleochemicals), Brian Dunay (Meister Media Worldwide)
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 four years to over 65. Company membership has gone from predominately North American to one of global representation with members from Argentina, Austria, Germany, Inda, Israel, Korea, The Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. 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, James Driver/Biological Applied Research, Steve Hartmeier/Vestaron, Olav Messerschmidt/OMC Ag Consulting, Tom Rutherford/Oil-Dri Corporation, Kurt Schwartau/Phyllom LLC, Mark Trimme/Dunham Trimmer and Bill Stoneman/Executive Director.
Chair: Bob Holm (Consultant) 919-267-5404 or BobHolm@nc.rr.com
The BPIA Standards Committee evaluates and recommends 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.)
Government Affairs Committee Charter is to
1. Monitor federal and state legislative initiatives as may affect the biopesticide industry
2. Establish a position as to each initiative, and to solicit and support advocacy of such
position by the directors and members.
3. Educate legislators and senior government officials about biopesticides and their value
proposition in mainstream ag and home pest management.
4. Educate legislators and senior government officials and seek help about issues and problems that threaten the industry. These include PRIA timelines and other EPA/CAL-DPR issues that cannot be resolved in a timely manner directly with the EPA or CAL-DPR
Specific tasks
1. Be knowledgeable of all proposed federal and state legislative initiatives as may have an affect or impact on the biopesticide industry
2. Provide information on pending legislation to the directors and members
3. Identify the particular legislators who should be contacted concerning pending legislation or serious problems at the EPA/DPR that affects the biopesticide industry.
4. Prepare "speaking points", sample mailings, and other items containing the agreed position statement of the Committee to assist those selected by the Committee when contacting legislators.
5. Identify and solicit directors and members to advocate the BPIA's position to identified legislators. Prepare those solicited to convey the agreed position of the Committee.
6. Arrange "fly-ins", receptions and lunches with legislators to educate them on biopesticides
7. Coordinate with CropLife and other appropriate organizations our contact with legislators/government officials if we have common issues
Chair: Dr. Pam Marrone (Marrone Bio Innovations)
Members: Ashish Malik- AgraQuest, Willem Ravensberg- Koppert, Steve Hartmeier- Vestaron, Bill Foster-Bioworks
The Meeting Planning Committee is a very active committee that develops the meeting themes, agenda, scheduling and plans & prepares the Semi-Annual meetings with the assistance of the BPIA Executive Director and BPIA Board Chairman. The Committee selects, locates and books speakers from all aspects of the agriculture/food community. Past speakers have come from governmental agencies (EPA/FDA/USDA….), universities & extension, food industry, biopesticide industry, crop protection industry, consultants and other areas. The Committee also provides support for registration and organization during the meetings.
MEMBERS:
Addie Waxman - 1,4 Group
Ashish Malik - AgraQuest
Bruce Kirkpatrick - Valent Bioscience
Kelly Cecil - Certis USA
Roger Henderson – Oil-Dri Corporation
Scott Peterson - Sipcam/Advan
Eda Reinot - BPIA Board Chairman & Becker Underwood Inc.
Bill Stoneman - BPIA Executive Director
Ned French – Committee Co-Chairman & AMVAC
Bill Dunham - Committee Co-Chairman & Int'l Bio Consultants/DunhamTrimmer LLC