National IPM Program Goals

The goal of the National IPM Program is to improve the economic benefits of adopting IPM practices and to reduce potential risks to human health and the environment caused by the pests themselves or by the use of pest management practices. The components of the goals for IPM are further described below. IPM originally began in the agricultural area; however, in recent years, federal and state governments have broadened their focus on the interface between pests, pest management, and people in the human environment, including residential, recreational, institutional facilities and in natural wild land areas. Through state and federal cooperation, a successful IPM in Schools program exists. The impact of exotic, invasive species in natural environments has received tremendous support with the 1999 Invasive Species Act. Federal and state agencies are developing Exotic Plant Management Teams towards this effort. IPM programs are under development at all levels to mitigate the impact of pest organisms. The National IPM Program will focus its efforts in three areas-production agriculture, natural resources, and residential and public areas. At the core of each area lies a requirement for building and maintaining research, education, and extension programs that are tuned to the priorities outlined in the National IPM Road Map. Priorities for each of these focus areas are identified below.

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Last updated: 03/10/2009