BPIA includes several committees that bring together the resources and focus
to 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 Dialog 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. 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), Fred Betz (AgraQuest), Steve Spalding (Wellmark), Tom Schreier (Novozymes), Keith Pitts (Marrone Bio-innovations), Donna Bishel (BioSafe Systems), Gordon Sargent (Becker Underwood), Gary Libman (GNL)
Chair: Amy Roberts (TSG)
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)
Chair: Rick Melnick (Meister Media Worldwide)
BPIA's Membership Committee recruits new members for BPIA that meet the criteria set for the four membership categories (Voting, Associate. Ad Hoc and Individual). 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 approval. New members agree to confirm that they have read the BPIA Operating Principals and understand their importance. The Membership Committee had a record year in 2009, adding 18 new members to BPIA. The current membership of 50 consists of 32 Voting and Associate ,9 Ad Hoc and 9 Individual Members. The Committee expects this trend to continue as interest in biopesticides continues to escalate industry wide, and as potential biopesticide companies, service providers, and individuals become better acquainted with the benefits that BPIA membership offers.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Membership Chair Bob Holm at 919-267-5404 or BobHolm@nc.rr.com
Learn more about BPIA MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.
Download a BPIA APPLICATION FORM.
Members: Mike Donaldson (Valent BioScience), Steve Hartmeier (Suttera LLC), Olav Messerschmidt (OMC Ag Consulting), Tom Rutherford ( Oil-Dri Corporation) and Bill Stoneman (Executive Director).
Chair: Bob Holm ( Consultant).
The BPIA Standards Committee is charged with evaluating and recommending 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. Feedback from the survey participants clearly indicated that the perception of biopesticides, as a category, was below expectations and reduced the adoption rate for commercial applications. The key issues included negative or neutral quality and efficacy perceptions of biopesticides products. Based on this feedback, BPIA created a Standards Committee to clearly define requirements that would be needed for end use and trade channel customers to be assured that these products would provide expected value in their crop protection programs.
The committee developed 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, BPIA is now using the Standards Committee recommendations as a part of the new membership application, whereby 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., Steve Hartmeier, Suterra LLC, Mike Donaldson, Valent BioSciences)
Chair: Pam Marrone, Marrone Bio Innovations
As provided for in the BPIA By-Laws, the Chair of the BPIA Board appoints the Nominating Committee, which consists of at least three Directors chosen from among the Board of Directors of the Alliance. The Nominating Committee meets annually to nominate individuals from BPIA member companies to serve as Directors of the BPIA Board of Directors and to recommend three individuals to serve as officers and chairs of standing Committees. The Nominating Committee reports its recommendations to the BPIA Board prior to the elections by the BPIA membership.
For members interested in becoming a Board member, the following are the general criteria for Selection of Nominees for BPIA Board of Directors:
1. The prospective Board member (their Company) is preferably a Voting Member of BPIA. However, otherwise qualified non-voting members of BPIA will also be given consideration.
2. Their company’s membership dues must be current.
3. The candidate should have relevant experience in the biopesticide / pesticide business – applicable to helping achieve BPIA’s mission.
4. They (or their company) should have been a BPIA member for at least one year, and the candidate should have served in some capacity on a committee, demonstrating a history of participation.
5. The candidate must be willing and able to commit necessary time for Board meetings and related business, to serve on committee(s) of interest and relevance based on expertise, and/or take on special assignments as appropriate.
6. The candidate must understand that 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.)
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