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About
RISE
What is RISE?
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® is a national
not-for-profit trade association representing producers and suppliers
of specialty pesticides and fertilizers. Established in 1991, RISE serves
as a resource and advocate on pesticides and fertilizers and provides
current and accurate information on issues and research affecting the
industry. The association also monitors legislative and regulatory issues
in Washington, D.C. and in the states.
What are specialty pesticides?
Specialty pesticides are pest management tools used to protect health
and safety as well as enhance the quality of life and the environment.
Specialty pesticide products as well as fertilizers are used in and around
homes, businesses and public areas; on lawns, flowers and trees; in commercial
greenhouses and nurseries; on sports turf including golf courses; and
for vegetation management in water, along roadways, railroads and utility
rights-of-ways. The problems caused by plant diseases as well as pests
such as cockroaches, termites, fire ants, mosquitoes, weeds and rodents,
call for the safe and responsible use of pesticides. Without pesticides,
pests pose a serious health and safety risk to children and adults and
can cause serious damage to homes and structures.
What are specialty fertilizers?
Specialty fertilizers provide essential plant nutrients, including micronutrients.
These products are formulated to deliver the optimal amount of nutrients
to plants to promote healthy and vigorous growth. Healthy plants are better
able to withstand environmental stresses like drought, insect infestations,
disease, weeds, air and water pollution and overuse. The safe and responsible
use of specialty fertilizers improves our environment by promoting the
vigorous growth of desirable plants.
Who Are RISE Members?
RISE members are basic manufacturers, formulators, distributors and others
involved with specialty pesticides and fertilizers used for professional
applications and general consumer use through retail outlets. The industry
served by RISE is comprised of seven major segments:
1. Structural Pest Control
-pesticides used to control termites, fleas, carpenter ants, rodents &
cockroaches to lessen threats to human health and risk of structural damage.
2. Turf and Ornamental
-pest management products and fertilizers used to promote healthy turfgrass
and landscaping.
3. Vegetation Management
-pesticides to control noxious weeds and brush along roads, railroad rights-of-way
and public utilities. Fertilization for encouragement of desirable vegetation
and turf.
4. Nursery and Greenhouse
- pesticides, sometimes used with fertilizers, to protect and enhance
commercially grown shrubs, trees and plants from weeds and insects.
5. Forestry - Specialty
pesticides and fertilizers are used to control undesirable vegetation
and enhance tree growth, thus reducing the chance of wildfire and improving
the quality of the forest.
6. Aquatics - products used to keep weeds from choking lakes, rivers and
streams, and to protect human lives.
7. Public Health - products
that control mosquitoes and ticks as well as other carriers or transmitters
of infections, disease or human allergens.
What does RISE do?
RISE is a resource to the media and key influencers. RISE provides journalists
and others such as Extension agents with current and accurate information
on key pesticide and fertilizer issues. The association provides industry
viewpoints from its members, as well as legislative viewpoints through
its work with legislators and regulators in Washington and in states.
RISE has news releases, fact sheets and other valuable information posted
on its web site at www.pestfacts.org.
RISE communicates with
legislators. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., RISE staff provides information
to key lawmakers whose decisions affect the entire industry. RISE educates
legislators about the benefits of specialty pesticide and fertilizer use
and the risks posed by pests, that left untreated can cause serious health
and safety threats.
RISE works with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). RISE has an excellent working relationship
with the EPA and is a resource for the Agency. RISE and EPA have also
worked together on projects such as the Consumer Labeling Initiative,
a campaign encouraging people to read and follow household product labels
(including pesticides) before using.
RISE teams up with other
national industry associations. RISE allies itself with an array of groups
serving the pest management and fertilizer industry. A few include:
- Golf Course Superintendents
of America
- National Arborist
Association
- National Pest Management
Association
- Professional Lawn
Care Association of America
- National Roadside
Vegetation Management Association
- Mountain Lakes Vegetation
Management Society
- State turf, ornamental
and vegetation management associations
- State fertilizer
associations
- State agribusiness
association
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