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NEW COUNSELOR TO ADVISE EPA ADMINISTRATOR ON AGRICULTURE ISSUES PELTIER OF CALIFORNIA TO ASSUME POST

Release Date: 05/10/2001
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman today announced the creation of a position of Counselor to the Administrator on Agriculture Policy. Whitman said Jean-Mari Peltier of California will fill the post.

“I am pleased that Jean-Mari Peltier has agreed to come on board and take on the challenges of this position,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “Certainly her familiarity with both agricultural and environmental issues will ensure that we balance the two when pursuing our goal of a cleaner environment.”

Peltier, of Newcastle, most recently represented the California Citrus Quality Council, serving as its President since May of 1999. Peltier served on numerous industry and government advisory committees including the U.S. delegation to the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Pesticide Residues, the EPA Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition, the North American Plant Protection Organization and the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee on trade.

“Since assuming the role of EPA Administrator I have stressed an approach to decision making that carefully considers the concerns of various stakeholders in our communities,” said Whitman. “By establishing this position we will be better able to integrate the concerns of the agriculture community when making important decisions about how best to protect our natural resources.”

The new advisor will also serve as the central contact for EPA cooperation with the USDA. This will include working on joint policy, cooperative efforts between agency staff, and other interagency issues. The new advisor will also maintain an awareness of Congressional activities related to agricultural issues.

“In addition to bringing valuable input to the table, she will help enhance communications with non-agency agriculture groups,” Whitman continued. “This process will allow us to better convey and explain the rulemaking processes, public participation opportunities and regulatory decisions that are made and foster a more transparent process.”

Prior to joining the California Citrus Quality Council, Peltier was Chief Deputy Director in the Department of Pesticide Regulation for the California Environmental Protection Agency. In that capacity, Peltier oversaw day-to-day operation of the pesticide regulatory program. Peltier developed and expanded a program of grants and alliances to develop economically feasible and environmentally friendly solutions to agricultural and urban pest management problems. In addition, Peltier represented California on the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act through the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee and represented the state at the pesticide harmonization negotiations under the North America Free Trade Agreement.

Peltier’s experience also includes time as the Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board and the President of the California Pear Growers. Peltier was a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Governor George Deukmejian for the California State World Trade Commission and was a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Tony Coelho where she worked on agriculture and interior issues. Prior to joining the Congressman’s staff, Peltier was the Director of Public and Government Relations for the California Grape and Tree Fruit League.

Peltier graduated summa cum laude from California State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Communications.

The last time an official position at the EPA was geared towards advising the Administrator on agriculture issues was under the previous Bush Administration. This re-establishes that position.

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