National Pest Management & Environmental Groups Reach Historic Legislative Agreement

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National Pest Management & Environmental Groups

Reach Historic Legislative Agreement

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TO NATIONAL, EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:

National Pest Management & Environmental Groups

Reach Historic Legislative Agreement

VIRGINIA, DUNN LORING, Jun. 19 -/E-Wire/-- The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP)/Beyond Pesticides have joined together in a landmark agreement to support school pest management legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ). The U.S. Senate approved the measure earlier today as an amendment to H.R.1, the Better Education for Students and Teachers Act.

Along with their respective allies, both NPMA -- the only national trade organization for pest management companies -- and NCAMP/Beyond Pesticides -- a leading environmental group -- have long debated differing approaches to managing pests in and around schools in state legislatures across the country. The amendment, entitled the School Environment Protection Act, is the byproduct of negotiations between NPMA, several other industry groups, NCAMP/Beyond Pesticides, Senator Torricelli, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and their staffs and several other Senate offices. According to NPMA's Director of Government Affairs Robert M. Rosenberg, the amendment represents the most significant and extensive agreement on the school pest management issue.

"We believe the Torricelli amendment encompasses all the components of responsible and workable school pest management legislation and are confident it will create a safer and healthier learning environment for school children," said NPMA Director of Government Affairs Robert M. Rosenberg. "We're extremely appreciative of Senator Torricelli and his staff and NCAMP/Beyond Pesticides for working with NPMA and other industry groups to find common ground on this critically important matter. Without Senator Torricelli's leadership and the cooperative spirit of the groups involved, we never would have reached this point."

The amendment requires each state to develop a school pest management plan, which school districts must implement. At a minimum, a state school pest management plan will prohibit the application of pesticides to any area or room in a school that is occupied. It will also prohibit certain high volume pesticide applications from occurring within 24 hours of the treated area being used by students and staff.

The amendment also requires schools to post signs alerting students and staff of pesticide applications and to notify parents of the existence of the school pest management plan and inform them of the right to be notified before individual pesticide applications. Parents expressing an interest in being notified prior to individual treatments will be notified at least 24 hours prior to applications.

The next stop for H.R. 1 is a House/Senate conference committee where final negotiations will occur prior to final passage of the bill by Congress.

The National Pest Management Association is an organization with more than 4,000 member companies. It is dedicated to promoting the interests and general welfare of the pest management industry and to conducting scientific, technical and business research in the areas of pest management. For more information, please call [REDACTED-PHONE] or visit http://www.pestworld.org .

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X65712813

National Pest Management Association

http://www.pestworld.org

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