The enabling legislation (HB 1009: July 23,1995) that created the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration (WSCPR), also directed the WSCPR to provide a program for tracking the availability of effective pesticides for minor crop and emergency uses in Washington. This mandate resulted in the creation of the Pesticide Notification Network (PNN) which is operated for the WSCPR by WSU’s Pesticide Information Center (PIC). The PNN began operation in early 1997, and following a short phase-in period, has been in full operation ever since.

The purpose of the PNN is to inform Washington State pesticide users of registration and label changes for products of interest to agriculture. The system does this by distributing information to commodity/commissions and grower groups representing Washington State’s diverse agriculture. These groups comprise a network of contacts that have agreed to pass along information to the pesticide users that they represent. The PNN also distributes information to Washington State University Cooperative Extension personnel. The system currently distributes information to a total of 153 contacts across the state.

One goal of the PNN is to get the right information to the right people. This is done by sending each PNN notification to a targeted distribution list. In the PNN database, each contact is linked both with a list of specific usage sites and the types of pesticides they wish to receive information about. In this manner, a WSU entomologist conducting research on tree fruit will receive only information about insecticides registered for use on tree fruits while the Washington Blueberry Commission receives all notifications relating to pesticide use on blueberries.

In CY 2000, the PNN distributed 344 notifications via 11335 individual transmittals (e-mail messages, faxes, and notifications mailed through the US mail). While the number of notifications sent on the PNN roughly equaled that sent in 1999, the number of transmittals rose by 33%, indicating that each notification covered more information and was sent to a larger distribution list.

The following table shows the number of notifications and transmittals sent each year of operation of the PNN.

Again in 2000 the PNN also distributed several "special topic" notifications. These types of notifications cover issues outside the registration and labeling information that is normally provided on the PNN. Where applicable, the notifications include an electronic citation for those wishing for more in-depth information or a person's contact information. Special topic PNN notifications distributed in 2000 included:

• a request for input on whether there is a need for a Section 18 for Raptor to control wild mustard on canola;
• information on the implementation of WSDA's Section 18 compliance project;
• information on the changes ahead for diazinon;
• a notice regarding the future supplies of Surflan;
• iformation about new WSDA rules requiring Section 18 labels;
• a notice about the revision to several Washington State pesticide regulations; and
• a request for input on the importance of 2ee information.

Our office also reviews the Federal Register each month. A summary of tolerance information and any other pesticide-related information of interest to Washington agriculture is summarized and referenced. The tolerance and Federal Register summaries are also posted in the electronic version of the Agrichemical & Environmental News (See the URL listed above).