Conclusions

Chemical pesticides play an important role in allowing Americans to enjoy an abundant and inexpensive food supply. However, these chemicals can have adverse effects on human health and the environment, and their long- term effectiveness will be increasingly limited as pests continue developing resistance to them. Consequently, it has become clear that sustainable and effective agricultural pest management will require continued development and increased use of alternative pest management strategies such as IPM. Some IPM practices yield significant environmental and economic benefits in certain crops, and IPM can lead to better long- term pest management than chemical control alone. However, the federal commitment to IPM has waned over the years. The IPM initiative is missing several management elements identified in the Government Performance and Results Act that are essential for successful implementation of any federal effort. Specifically, no one is effectively in charge of federal IPM efforts; coordination of IPM efforts is lacking among federal agencies and with the private sector; the intended results of these efforts have not been clearly articulated or prioritized; and methods for measuring IPM’s environmental and economic results have not been developed. Until these shortcomings are effectively addressed, the full range of potential benefits that IPM can yield for producers, the public, and the environment is unlikely to be realized.
What GAO Found

Chemical pesticides play an important role in providing Americans with an abundant and inexpensive food supply. However, these chemicals can have adverse effects on human health and the environment, and pests continue to develop resistance to them. Sustainable and effective agricultural pest management will require continued development and increased use of alternative pest management strategies, such as integrated pest management (IPM). Some IPM practices yield significant environmental and economic benefits in certain crops, and IPM can lead to better long-term pest management than chemical control alone. However, the federal commitment to IPM has waned over the years. The IPM initiative is missing several key management elements identified in the Government Performance and Results Act. Specifically, no one is effectively in charge of federal IPM efforts; coordination of IPM efforts is lacking among federal agencies and with the private sector; the intended results of these efforts have not been clearly articulated or prioritized; and methods for measuring IPM's environmental and economic results have not been developed. Until these shortcomings are addressed, the full range of potential benefits that IPM can yield for producers, the public, and the environment is unlikely to be realized.