Public-sector roles in IPM-related regulation, research, education, outreach and incentives are well documented and often emphasized in the history and ongoing development of IPM. The private sector, however, is playing an increasingly key and leading role in advancing progress along the IPM continuum. This continuum begins with basic monitoring and action thresholds, and progresses towards effective systems built on biologically based, preventive approaches to avoiding pest problems (Balling, 1994). This advanced end of the continuum includes biointensive IPM, or “a systems approach to pest management based on an understanding of pest ecology. It begins with steps to accurately diagnose the nature and source of pest problems, and then relies on a range of preventive tactics and biological controls to keep pest populations within acceptable limits. Reduced-risk pesticides are used if other tactics have not been adequately effective, as a last resort and with care to minimize risk” (Benbrook et al., 1996).

Benefits to advancing along the continuum and reducing the impacts of pests and pest management include improved human health and biodiversity, and conservation of air, soil and water resources. Public- and private-sector efforts and greater collaboration between sectors are needed to continue progress, reduce impacts and protect the economic viability of agriculture and communities.

Much progress has been made over the past 40 years. A prime example is the recovery of the bald eagle from fewer than 500 nesting pairs in the continental USA, due in part to the thinning of egg shells caused by ingestion of DDT, to now more than 5000.