An organization that promotes the safe stewardship of crop protection products throughout the supply and distribution chain was formed recently. CropLife America and Agricultural Retailers Association announce the creation of the American Agronomic Stewardship Alliance.

“Stewardship does not stop at the manufacturer's gate - broadening the stewardship avenue is essential to maintaining our public franchise to operate,” notes Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America.

“We believe that support for stewardship throughout the value-chain is vital,” adds Jack Eberspacher, president and CEO of Agricultural Retailers Association.

The American Agronomic Stewardship Alliance is a unified industry inspection and accreditation program for crop protection retail facilities. The new organization will be managed by a board of directors comprised of manufacturers, retailers, distributors and ag-related trade groups. It will oversee a warehouse and retail facility and site inspection process. It will also manage an inspection database. Crop protection manufacturers will be the end users of inspection data.