Pest Control Technology Asks PCOs to Stop Torricelli's (IPM) Amendment

Torricelli's amendment affects the pest management industry by imposing several restrictions regarding school pest management practices. It would require every parent to be notified 72 hours prior to any pesticide application at the school

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Subject:    Pest Control Technology Asks PCOs to Stop Torricelli (IPM) Amendment
 Date:        Tue, 8 May 2001 09:05:59 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

School Pest Management Legislation Expected To Be Introduced This Week

By Amanda Paskiet
Wednesday, May 2, 2001
URL: http://www.pctonline.com/features/feature.asp?ID=159/

The National Pest Management Association expects Sen. Robert Torricelli (D, N.J.) to introduce an amendment to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) this week that would require schools to implement IPM programs and provide universal notification to parents when pesticides are applied on school grounds.

Torricelli's amendment affects the pest management industry by imposing several restrictions regarding school pest management practices. It would require every parent to be notified 72 hours prior to any pesticide application at the school - whether the parent is interested or not. It would establish a category of "least toxic" pesticides, which schools would be required to use at all times. The pesticides that qualify as "safe" or "least toxic" would be determined through criteria set out in the legislation.

Finally, the amendment would establish a national IPM advisory board that would work to develop an IPM program for schools across the United States. "The problem with establishing a national program for the schools is that it pesticide laws are different throughout the U.S.," said Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs, NPMA. "According to this amendment, Alaska would follow the same rules as Louisiana, even though there are different pesticide pressure regulations."

NPMA is currently working on an alternative to Torracelli's amendment that is modeled after many state legislations regarding pest management in schools. NPMA's amendment would require that only interested parents be notified of school pesticide applications. "Schools would send out a notice at the beginning of the school year informing them that pesticides are used periodically through the school year and they have the option to receive a notice when the applications are made," Harrington said.

In addition, the alternative amendment would also allow only certified, licensed operators to apply pesticides in schools and would require individual state pesticide agencies to develop IPM programs for schools.

If Torracelli introduces his amendment to the Senate this week, NPMA hopes the pest control industry will help urge senators to vote against the amendment and to support NPMA's alternative amendment. "We're asking any PCO, lawn care operator and any pest control company employee out there to help us win this battle," Harrington said.

Well, maybe you should also call and ask your Senators to vote. Steve

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