Comment Period Extended to July 29

EPA Plans Public Webinar on its Proposal to Protect Bees from Acutely Toxic Pesticides    The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public webinar on June 23 at noon Pacific time to provide background information and additional details about its proposal to prohibit the use of all acutely toxic contact pesticides when crops are in bloom and bees are present under contract for pollination services.        The EPA has already held a webinar for states and tribes, which are encouraged to develop managed-pollinator protection plans and best management practices.      And in response to requests from the Western IPM Center and others, EPA has also extended the deadline to submit comments about the plan for 30 days and will now accept comments until July 29.

RMA Reminds Growers of Sales Closing Dates for Apiculture and the Pasture , Rangeland, Forage Vegetation Index Program

SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 5, 2013 – USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers in Idaho and Oregon of the November 15 sales closing dates for the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) pilot program, Vegetation Index program, and the Apiculture (API) pilot program for the 2014 crop year.