WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2008 -- On July 25, Wildlife Services (WS), a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to strengthen its cooperation and coordination on wildlife damage involving nuisance birds.

"The National Pest Management Association always has been an important partner for Wildlife Services," said Bruce Knight, under secretary for USDA's marketing and regulatory programs. "This agreement will ensure an even stronger relationship between our organizations by working together to address problems caused by nuisance birds, such as European starlings, house sparrows and pigeons."

The agreement culminates more than a year of discussions between WS and NPMA and establishes regular meetings and communication between the two organizations while recognizing WS responsibility for the control of invasive species.

Under this agreement, entities and individuals seeking assistance with nuisance bird problems will continue to have the choice of using pest management companies or seeking WS help to respond to damage concerns. WS will not actively seek to become involved in the control of nuisance birds in areas where pest management companies have the established capacity to meet consumers' needs. The MOU complies with the 2008 Farm Bill Manager's Statement encouraging APHIS to enter into such agreements with private industries.

WS actively researches and develops contraceptive agents and other control techniques for birds, such as pigeons and geese, and will provide training to the NPMA on new techniques as they are developed. The NPMA, with more than 5,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to protect the public's health, food and property.