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Success Stories in Reducing Pesticide Risk
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Note: This information is provided for reference purposes only. Although the information provided here was accurate and current when first created, it is now outdated. |
Committee to Advise on
Reassessment and Transition
Paper # 14
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Success Stories
IPM demonstration projects have been established by EPA with additional funding by the Pew Charitable Trust. These projects use full-time field scouts and trainers to help farmers transition to reduced-risk pesticides.
- Pears in Yakima, Washington–Over 2,000 acres enrolled and have reduced use of organophosphates (OP) and carbamates by 30-50%. Partners include DelMonte and Sno*kist.
- Apples in Michigan–2500 acres have reduced OP use by 50-75% and fungicide use by 15%. Partners include Michigan State University and Gerber Products Company.
- Potatoes in Wisconsin–Partners include World Wildlife, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers. The project will use market-based (green) incentives to create a price premium for growers. Target reductions in OP use will be established.
- Cotton in Georgia–The project will demonstrate cotton production without TEMIC as a pre-emergent herbicide, 75% reduction of in-season pesticides, and a 50% reduction in nitrogen use. Refugia for natural predators and rotations will be demonstrated.
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) Success Stories
PESP is a voluntary partnership between EPA and pesticide users. The goal is to reduce pesticide risks from both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. EPA’s Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division coordinates PESP, which includes more than 120 partnerships.
- Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii. The Association is pioneering new "smart" sprayers that release herbicides only where they are needed. The Association is also testing a "living mulch" grass cover crop that is stunted in height and out-competes other weeds.
- Mint Industry Research Council. The Council promotes the use of predatory mites to control spider mites and the use of clean rootstock that will prevent the introduction of diseased material into new fields at the time they are being established.
- Monroe County Community School Corporation. The Monroe County Schools in Indiana have implemented an IPM program throughout their school system. Under the program, pest control costs have decreased by 35% and use of pesticides has decreased by 90%. Spraying and fogging have been completely eliminated and replaced with baits and traps, which present less exposure to pesticides.
For more information:
- The PESP website is found at www.pesp.org.
- EPA’s pesticide homepage www.epa.gov/pesticides as information about pesticide regulation as well as publications about pesticide issues for consumers.