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MB - USDA to Conduct Chemical Use Survey

Fruit growers will be contacted this fall by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to participate in the 2009 Fruit Chemical Use Survey.   NASS will survey growers in 12 states, including Georgia, to collect information on pesticides and fertilizers used, acres treated and rates applied to more than 20 fruit crops. In Georgia, peach and blueberry operations will be surveyed.

The Fruit Chemical Use Survey, last conducted in 2005, will provide much needed information on the current crop production practices used in the United States. The survey was just recently reinstated to meet grower and consumer demand for the data. The results will help clarify the facts about chemical use in agriculture.

NASS interviewers will contact selected Georgia producers to arrange in-person interviews for conducting the survey. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. Survey results will be published in the Fruit Chemical Usage report, to be released in July 2010.

All NASS reports are available on the agency's web site: www.nass.usda.qov. For more information on the Fruit Chemical Use Survey, call the NASS Georgia Field Office at 1-800-253-4419.