The concept of an IPM Accreditation program continues to be well received by the lawn care industry, and especially by those companies that wish to ensure a level playing field for themselves in the competitive and increasingly complex business environment of their industry sector. While the industry and Landscape Ontario (LO) continue their concentrated efforts to preserve the use of pesticides, they are all too well aware that their more important mandate of reducing pesticide use through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs will not be taken up by less reputable companies. The only way to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff will be through a recognized accreditation system, concurrent with public education. The IPM-PHC Council of Ontario, in which LO takes a leading role, recently developed an accreditation program designed to recognize those companies willing to take the initiative towards responsible use of pesticides in lawn care. The immediate need for this program has dictated that the program itself will be a "work in progress" as administrative glitches are resolved, but the alternative of waiting for one more year to put an accreditation system in place is even less acceptable, says LO's IPM Turf Specialist Ken Pavely. The first step towards IPM Accreditation became available to the industry this past March; companies involved in the process will be recognized as "IPM registered," with full accreditation status available in the spring of 2003.

The program's newness has resulted in some expected confusion. The following is a basic outline of how the accreditation system works and answers some of the more frequently asked questions.

What is IPM Accreditation?
Integrated Pest Management has been defined by Health Canada as "a decision-making process that uses all necessary techniques to suppress pests effectively, economically and in an environmentally sound manner to sustain healthy landscapes." IPM Accreditation, as its name implies, is a system that verifies a company's commitment to the principles of IPM. The basic principles of IPM include:

a)     the use of cultural practices that promote optimum plant health.

b)     pest prevention

c)     application of pesticide products only when necessary

d)     use of reduced risk products whenever possible.

Who receives accreditation, a company or an individual?
IPM Accreditation applies to companies, not individuals. However, in order to be accredited, a company must have at least one person on staff designated as their official IPM agent. It will be this person's responsibility to ensure the company conducts its day-to-day operations in accordance with IPM principles and the IPM Code of Practice.

Is it necessary to have more than one official IPM agent?
It is necessary to have one agent per office location. Smaller, single location companies will need to have only one IPM agent. This can be the company owner, but he/she may appoint a substitute from their staff.

In the case of larger, multi-location companies or franchise operations, there must be at least one agent per location.

How does one become an official IPM agent?
The person designated to become a company's IPM agent must pass a written test that proves his/her IPM knowledge. This 90-minute, multiple-choice, closed-book examination will be held at locations across the province. The current recommended study manual is the IPM Manual developed by the province of British Columbia and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) publications 162 and 384. (click here for the related article). An Ontario IPM Manual is currently under development with assistance from OMAFRA. Its availability will be announced in Horticulture Review and on the Landscape Ontario web site at www.hort-trades.com

Is the status of official IPM agent transferable from company to company?
Because the IPM accreditation program applies to companies, and not individuals, persons who successfully complete the written test will become the official IPM agent representing their company. However, if that person moves to a different company, they will not be required to re-write the test. This does not mean the new company will automatically become IPM accredited; they must first pass the audit process.

How long can a person retain their status as an official IPM agent?
Once an individual has successfully completed their written examination, they must acquire at least 10 continuing education credits per year to retain their status as an official IPM agent. A variety of events and seminars will qualify for differing amounts of credits. A list is being developed and will be published in Horticulture Review and on the Landscape Ontario web site at www.hort-trades.com

What is required of companies to become IPM accredited?
Having at least one official IPM agent on staff is only the first step. Companies will be required to conduct their lawn care operations in accordance with the principles as outlined in the IPM-PHC Code of Practice. (Click here to view the IPM Code of Practice).

How will a company's business practices be verified?
All accredited companies must agree to submit to an audit, which will verify they are running their businesses in accordance with the IPM-PHC Code of Practice. (link here).

What will be included in the audit process?
The audit process will review those items that can demonstrate a firm's adherence to the principles of IPM. These will include, but may not be restricted to:

• Marketing materials will be evaluated to ensure the programs sold to customers are within IPM guidelines.
• Because they are responsible for good cultural practices (i.e. watering, mowing heights, etc.), customers are an integral part of the IPM process. The audit will review education pamphlets and other suitable materials.
• A review of employee training programs.
• A review of pesticide reduction records (active ingredients per square metre).

What about those companies that already have IPM systems in place?
Those companies already employing IPM as a turf management system will be steps ahead in being able to provide the auditors with verifiable proof such as marketing materials, etc. In the event that current IPM companies feel they are already using minimal amounts of pesticides, their use and application records will be compared to a baseline of conventional lawn care usage. Eventually, as all companies comply with IPM principles, these standards will form the basis of the audit system.

Who will perform company audits?
All auditors will be third-party individuals with demonstrated experience and knowledge of IPM. The audit process is still being developed and will be ready for introduction to the trade in the fall of 2002.

How often must a company undergo an audit?
The audit process will be held annually to maintain the program's credibility and especially to monitor a company's reduction of pesticide use.

What is the total cost of IPM accreditation?
The total cost to a small business will be $600. This includes a $300 examination fee for official IPM agents and an additional $300 for the audit process. Members of an affiliated association will receive a $100 discount for the examination.

Is the IPM accreditation system mandatory?
No, not yet. At the present time, the IPM accreditation system as developed by the IPM-PHC Council is strictly voluntary. However, in view of current municipal actions and consumer trends, IPM accreditation is strongly recommended. The IPM-PHC Council will be working with Ministry of the Environment (MOE) with the expectation of making this accreditation system a mandatory one.

Will there be support from LO to educate the consumer about the benefits of using IPM accredited companies?
The ultimate success of IPM as an effective lawn care management tool will lie in consumer demand. This demand will be generated through understanding and acceptance as a result of good education. To help the marketplace achieve this objective, LO is developing an educational booklet entitled Healthy Lawns, Healthy Families, designed to both promote accredited lawn care professionals and the concept of IPM.

This eight-page, full-colour booklet will be made available to the industry for distribution to their own and prospective customers on a cost-recovery basis. Further details and an order form will be made available through Horticulture Review and the LO web site www.hort-trades.com.

Is association membership required?
No. The IPM-PHC Council of Ontario is made up of many related organizations and trade associations representing different, related industries across the province. A discount of $100 is offered to affiliated members; however, you need not be a member to be accredited.

Does IPM Accreditation apply only to the lawn care sector?
Because they are the primary target of environmentalist groups, initial accreditation procedures were developed for the lawn care sector. The general principles of IPM apply to all areas of horticulture, however, and are already in use by many companies involved in those other industry sectors that apply pesticides, primarily wholesale nursery growers, grounds management companies, golf courses, parks departments, etc. IPM accreditation procedures will soon follow for each of these sectors.

Related articles:
IPM Code of Practice
IPM Accreditation Exam Dates
IPM Study Materials
IPM Accreditation Protocol