Long before being defined in modern times, farmers have been implementing strategies called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. The Environmental Protection Agency defines IPM as "the coordinated effort of pest control methods in preventing unacceptable levels of pest damage by economical means, and minimizing any hazards to people, property, and the environment." Over the years, the potential and adoption of IPM has grown substantially. Through effective government programs and policies, and grower and public education, use of IPM techniques is ever increasing.
In 1993 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pledged to have 75 percent of the U.S. agricultural acreage under IPM by the year 2000 and to reduce the use of pesticides. In an effort to further streamline and coordinate these efforts, uniform guidelines were developed. The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), a voluntary public/private program, was developed to reduce pesticide use, and is headed by Janet Andersen, Ph.D., director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, EPA. As a PESP requirement, PESP Partners (pesticide users), and PESP Supporters (organizations that work with pesticide users) are required to "follow the goals of PESP and sign a strategy that describes their long-term approach… to achieve pesticide risk reduction."
The USDA has responsibility for monitoring the federal government's IPM goals and activities to date. Dr. Harold Coble is the IPM coordinator for USDA. Consumer surveys have shown a significant increase in demand for IPM produce such as fruit, nut and vegetable crops. Implementation of the IPM initiative has helped to foster such goals and ideas as: increasing the role of people on both state and local levels in USDA programs; streamlining the research and development techniques necessary to expedite funding processes to ensure delivery to the most important needs; ensuring that producers have the newer tools to combat critical pests; and finally pulling together resources needed into a single department-wide effort that is more efficient and effective in putting information into the hands of the producers.
IPM implementation is steadily increasing. Since 1992, an estimated 15-50 percent of U.S. growers have already, in part or whole, adopted IPM. Food producers and retailers are aware of IPM's economic and growth potential. Many federal and state programs are being initiated to allocate funds to IPM growers, thus increasing an ever-growing and safe food supply while preserving the land's long-term productivity and sustainability.
