IPM Committee Tasks: Developing IPM Plan Components: Policy Statement

Creating a Policy Statement

Developing an official IPM policy statement is a useful first step in making the transition from a conventional pesticide program to an IPM program. In addition to stating a commitment to support and implement an IPM approach, the policy statement will help to guide the IPM Coordinator in developing a specific IPM program.

The policy statement will explain the reasons for and objectives of the program. This will show the importance of pest management, the intention of using an IPM approach to accomplish this, and how pesticides may be involved to parents and other interested parties. This policy can provide an incentive to school staff to actively implement the IPM procedures needed. {48}

Sample: Structural and landscape pests can pose significant problems for people and property. Pesticides can pose risks to people, property, and the environment. It is therefore the policy of (school or district name) to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures for control of structural and landscape pests. The objective of this program is to provide necessary pest control while minimizing pesticide use.