NATIONAL COALITION ON DIFT MINIMIZATION

"VISION STATEMENT"

Vision: Individuals and organizations involved with the application of pesticides will continually work towards reducing spray drift from pesticide applications and from applications sites by making informed, sound decisions. Applicators, manufacturers, dealers, consultants/advisors, growers, government agencies, universities, and others will promote and/or avail themselves of educational opportunities on drift reduction (minimization) strategies, including the use of new technology, practices, and required use restrictions.

Goal: Minimize (or reduce) pesticide drift from application sites to adequately protect human health and the environment.

Objectives: Pesticide applicators, manufacturers, dealers, consultants/advisors, growers, processors, government agencies, universities, and all others vital to the safe, responsible application of pesticide need to work together to offer the best strategies for drift reduction or minimization.

1. Measure and evaluate drift reduction in the context of:

a. the educational systems (include regulatory incentives),

b. the actual crop protection practices of individual applications,

c. the interactive, integrated decision-making process which occurs in the field, and

d. the number of verified incidents

2. Share old and new educational resources to facilitate further improvement in pesticide education programs, and effectively focus new educational resources.

3. Share regulatory measurements and evaluations to facilitate further improvement in the regulatory framework, and effectively focus compliance assistance and appropriate regulatory action.

4. Share evaluations of current technologies and identify areas of needed scientific research necessary to achieve the goal.

5. Provide access to education programs featuring uniform characteristics to all pesticide applicators, whether for aerial, ground, commercial or private application.

Code of Behavior: To adopt the educational and decision-making process that will minimize drift, all persons vital to the application of pesticides should:

1. Understand the importance and value of stewardship and be active participants in achieving the goal of drift minimization.
   
   
2. Know the potential impact and consequences of drift to human health and the environment.
   
   
3. Exercise good judgment, beyond just being in compliance, when making spray decisions and applications, including being aware of the factors that are in an applicator's control (such as choices of equipment, maintenance, etc.), and monitoring and adjusting for those factors beyond one's control (such as weather, unanticipated human activity at the application site, or other potentialities).
   
   
4. Recognize and value the "relationship chain" which links all players together in the pest management complex, including manufacturers, growers, consultants/advisors regulators, and local residents; understanding; why communication with these people is important, and how to communicate with them effectively.
   
   
5. Be aware of integrated pest management and other relevant field conditions.
   
   
6. Be attentive of mechanical and chemical safety, maintaining equipment in safe operating condition, and exercising good judgment about seeking technical input from other sources to assure a safe work environment.
   
   
7. Employ comprehensive value-added crop protection options ­ such as tying crop scouting to product sales ­ for more integrated, higher quality decision-making in overall crop management.
   
   
8. Lead by example through a formalized peer leadership process that fosters greater awareness and education among other applicators and relevant decision-makers.
   
   
9. Follow all product labeling and other use restrictions.
   
   
10. Improve awareness and understanding of drift and control strategies through training courses and other educational materials.

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