USDA, EPA, and FDA also pledged to work with commodity groups to reduce the use of pesticides. This partnership began in December 1994 when EPA, USDA and FDA announced the partnership and more than 20 private organizations signed on as charter members. The PESP is a broad effort by EPA, the USDA and the FDA to reduce pesticide use and risk in both agriculture and nonagricultural settings. By the year 2000, having 75 percent of US agricultural acreage adopt integrated pest management programs. Partners are organizations that use pesticides or represent pesticide users.
Partners agree to develop and implement formal strategies to reduce the use and risk of pesticides.
In particular, Partners agree that their pesticide use will be tailored to specific sites, crops, and regions of the country. Partners further commit themselves to define and implement their strategies in a timely fashion and to report regularly on progress. Associations of pesticide users agree that members will use the safest, most effective pest management practices available. Supporters are organizations that do not use pesticides, but do have significant influence over pest management practices. Food processors, for example, may influence the use of pesticides on produce they buy, even though they do not apply pesticides to the produce themselves.