2010 Vegetable Chemical Use Survey - Background

	Vegetable Chemical Use Survey
United States Department of Agriculture		National Agricultural Statistics Service
		2010

The Vegetable Chemical Use Survey, conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), provides detailed estimates of farm operators’ use of fertilizers and pesticides and pest management practices on vegetable crops. The survey gives producers the opportunity to provide first-hand information on their crop production practices, ensuring that accurate data are available to government agencies and other decision-makers.

HOW ARE THE DATA COLLECTED?

The Vegetable Chemical Use Survey is conducted every other year, alternating with the Fruit Chemical Use Survey. In 2010, NASS will conduct the survey in 19 states, collecting data for 29 targeted crops. Because of varying crop harvesting periods, the survey will run from October 1, 2010 through January 12, 2011. NASS representatives will conduct personal interviews with survey participants to collect data on fertilizer use, chemical use and pest management practices. Specifically, farm operators will be asked to report:

• Acreage of the targeted commodities grown during the year.

• Targeted commodities treated with chemical applications.

• Name, amount and method of application of all chemical products applied.

• Details on their operations’ pest management practices.

HOW IS THE INFORMATION USED?

NASS will release survey results online in the Quick Stats database on July 27, 2011. All sectors of the agriculture industry – producers, buyers, suppliers, policymakers and others – rely on NASS chemical use data to make sound business decisions. For example:

• The information collected is a critical component of the decision-making process for the federal Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), helping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency make informed decisions about pesticide registration, re-registration and product alternatives.

• Accurate pesticide use data is the only way to ensure that producers continue to have access to the chemicals they need. If growers do not accurately document their use of these products, the products might not be re-registered.

• Agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service use the data to document the quality and safety of U.S. food products, providing assurances to domestic and international customers alike.

• Government and farm organizations use the information to help form their policy positions and make decisions impacting U.S. agriculture.

The information provided by survey respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes data only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

All reports are available through the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540.