August 25, 2004
Contact: Kelly Bourdeau, 287-7533
For Immediate Release

PARENTS REMINDED SCHOOLS SHOULD BE NOTIFYING OF PESTICIDE POLICY

AUGUSTA-Parents should be keeping an eye out for their school's pesticide policy and notification information, which would likely be included in start-of-year handouts. Beginning last school year, Maine law began requiring all public and private K-12 schools to adopt pest management policies that minimize the risks of pesticide exposure.

The regulation requires schools to inform parents within the first two weeks of every school year of their integrated pest management (IPM) policy, as well as provide them with a means to be notified before high risk pesticide applications occur.

"If parents don't receive a notice, we encourage them to contact school officials to make sure they're in compliance with all pesticide laws," says Maine Board of Pesticides Control Director Robert Batteese.

"Our regulation is clear and in keeping with the nationwide concern voiced about the risks of pesticide use in schools," adds Batteese. "Requiring schools to adopt a science-based integrated pest management policy and notify parents before using high risk pesticides will reduce the potential for pesticide exposure while maintaining proper, economical, and effective pest management."

Parents can find out more about the regulation by visiting www.thinkfirstspraylast.org/schoolipm.

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The Maine School IPM Program is a partnership of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; Maine Board of Pesticides Control; and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The program is d edicated to reducing risks of pests and pesticides in Maine schools.