SERA-IEG3: Integrated Pest Management
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
SERA-IEG3: Integrated Pest Management
Duration: 10/01/1999 to 09/30/2004
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Background
This group will meet annually at an appropriate location in the Southern Region to exchange ideas and discuss common problems related to coordination of IPM activities in the region. A chairperson and secretary for SERA-IEG-3 are currently in place. During the first meeting of the new group, the Administrative Advisors will facilitate the election of new officers. Future annual meetings will be arranged by the chairperson, working with the Administrative Advisors, and minutes of the meetings will be distributed by the secretary.
Each Experiment Station and Extension Director will be responsible for appointing an individual to represent research and extension respectively, and this group will serve as the voting executive committee for recommendations to the Directors. Other participants should be encouraged and may represent entomology, plant pathology, weed science, nematology, toxicology, engineering, physiology, sociology, and other appropriate disciplines.
Justification
Losses due to pests and efforts to control pests are major obstacles to crop and livestock production in the Southern Region. In addition, the cost of controlling pests in recreational areas and households combined with the environmental concerns associated with pesticide usage makes IPM a high priority in the Southern Region and the U.S. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency has set a goal to have 75% of U.S. cropland using IPM practices by the year 2000.
This multitude of pest situations combined with the numerous pest disciplines make the coordination of all aspects of IPM critical. Historically, IPM has revolved around entomology with less emphasis on plant pathology, weed science, nematology, and other related disciplines; however, for IPM to be truly effective, all aspects must be integrated. SERA-IEG-3 originated with the Experiment Station and Extension Directors naming individuals from each state to provide recommendations on coordination of the IPM activities in the region. This need for coordination is as great or greater today than when this SERA-IEG was formed.
Objectives
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To exchange current information on the status of new research findings and extension programs.
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To provide a forum for reporting findings from projects funded from IPM grants.
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To provide recommendations on the coordination and operation of the Southern Region IPM Grants Program.