Fruit Growers Asked To Fill Out Chemical Use Survey

Over the next couple of weeks, NASS will ask fruit growers in a dozen states, including in the Northwest to participate in the biennial Fruit Chemical Use Survey.  The USDA survey will collect information on fertilizer and pesticide applications, and pest management practices for bearing fruit acres.  Acres treated and application rates will be collected for more than 20 fruit crops.

“Growers benefit from providing this information because it is used to re-register products for their use, to illustrate the industry’s environmental practices, and to assure the quality of U.S. food to consumers here and around the world,” said Christopher Mertz, NW Regional Director.

“The Northwest Horticultural Council (NHC) strongly encourages tree fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest to participate in the upcoming NASS Chemical Use Survey,” stated Mark Powers, President of the NHC.

NASS officials say the Fruit Chemical Use Survey provides much needed information about the current crop production practices used in the U.S.  The results of this survey will paint a detailed picture of pesticide use and other pest management practices used by the fruit growers across the nation.  To participate, NASS representatives will contact selected Oregon and Washington growers to arrange in-person interviews.

The results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law.  Survey results will be published in NASS’s online database, Quick Stats, in July 2020.  This database and all NASS reports are available on the NASS' Website.

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