Understanding the California regulatory process for crop protection chemicals can be difficult. Here’s your opportunity to hear about the necessary steps – working with the proper agencies, gathering and submitting data, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, taking action when necessary and more. Speakers will also address some of the unique complexities managed at the state level in California, our nation's largest state in terms of agricultural receipts. 

“Hundreds of scientists and researchers around the globe are working to develop safer and more effective crop protection comments, but they need to travel through a very robust regulatory system. Unfortunately, that process can sometimes take years and serve as a disincentive to investments in sorely needed innovation,” said Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant.

During the upcoming Dec. 14 Agri-Pulse webinar, “Understanding the CA regulatory environment and your role in bringing new technology to market,” you’ll have a chance to hear from key leaders who will discuss how you can have an impact on the overall process; learn what growers, PCAs and other stakeholders in the industry can do to be more effective and efficient. 

The webinar is free but registration is required. It takes place at noon pacific time and is sponsored by BASF. You can sign up by clicking on this link.

Speakers include:

Mary Fryczynski is a state regulatory affairs manager with BASF’s North American Regulatory Affairs department. She is primarily responsible for working with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to secure and maintain registration for BASF’s Agricultural Solutions products. Fryczynski also actively participates on the Western Plant Health Regulatory Affairs Committee. She has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a minor in genetics from North Carolina State University.

Kevin Caffrey, Ph.D., is a technical services representative for BASF serving the Southern San Joaquin Valley. For his first three years with BASF, Caffrey supported the Mid-South business focusing on soybeans, cotton, rice, sugarcane, corn and various other associated crops where he supported various products launches including Engenia Herbicide and Provisia Herbicide & Rice Trait package. In 2018, he transitioned to supporting the BASF business in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, CA. Caffrey has supported expansions to the BASF portfolio across all major sectors while launching key new innovations including Cevya Fungicide, Versys Insecticide and Sefina Insecticide as well as dozens of label amendments. Caffrey graduated from North Carolina State University with a Ph.D. in Biological & Agricultural Engineering.

Chris Reardon is the new director of government relations for the California Farm Bureau. Previously, he was the Executive Vice President of the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) since August 2016. Before working with PCOC, he served as Chief Deputy Director for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Prior to this position, Reardon was initially appointed by Governor Gray Davis in 2003 to serve as Director of Legislation and Regulations for DPR. Before joining DPR, Chris was Executive Director of the Manufacturer’s Council of the Central Valley and he also spent time working in the Legislature. Reardon received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from California State University, Stanislaus.

Matt Bristow is the treasurer of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA). He currently works for Nutrien in Coachella. In addition to his Pest Control Advisers license, which he obtained in 2004, Bristow is also a Certified Crop Adviser. The major crops he consults in are vegetables and citrus, but also works with dates, table grapes and alfalfa. Bristow graduated from California Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science.

Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant will serve as moderator for the event on Dec. 14 at noon PT. Registration for the webinar is free. You can sign up by clicking on this link.