RELATED DOCUMENTS

Dahir n° 1-03-59 du 10 rabii I 1424 (12 mai 2003) portant promulgation de la loi n° 11-03 relative à la protection et à la mise en valeur de l’environnement ; Loi n° 28-07 relative à la sécurité sanitaire des produits alimentaires, Loi n° 28-00 relative à la gestion des déchets et à leur élimination, Code du travail ; Sustainable Development Institutional Policy

 

SECTION 1 POLICY STATEMENT

1.1. University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) is continuously making efforts to develop a sustainable campus and to strengthen its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

1.2. UM6P is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment through effective and sustainable Integrated Pest Management practices for its buildings and landscapes.

1.3. UM6P aims to manage building and landscape pests in an eco-friendly manner through regular maintenance, sanitation, and monitoring while reducing risks to human health and property.

1.4. UM6P engages to deploy all its efforts to minimize pesticide application/exposure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and to support its decarbonization efforts for a more sustainable campus.

SECTION 2 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY

2.1. This policy is applicable to all individuals and entities engaged in the management of building and landscape operations, with a particular focus on the General Affairs Department and associated service providers. This policy covers all the buildings and associated grounds as well as landscapes that UM6P manages.

2.2. This policy is consulted before undertaking any pest management action in the buildings or associated grounds and landscapes of UM6P campus.

SECTION 3 PURPOSE

3.1. The Integrated Pest Management policy aims to establish a pest management approach that minimizes risks to the health and wellbeing of the UM6P community, as well as to the environment, while effectively addressing potential problems caused by building and landscape pests.

3.2. This policy establishes best management practices for pest control at UM6P campus, aiming to enhance cleanliness and landscape quality while regulating toxicity levels to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

3.3. UM6P aims to reduce pesticide exposure and health risks for its community while ensuring cost-efficient pest control. The university seeks to prevent or suppress pests at non-damaging levels and minimize environmental pollution by prioritizing eco-friendly methods, using chemical pesticides only as a last resort. Its approach is based on accurate pest identification and a thorough understanding of their biology.

 

SECTION 4 DEFINITIONS

4.1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A strategy that focuses on the long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of non-chemical control tactics, including preventative, cultural, mechanical, environmental, biological, and chemical control tactics. The techniques are utilized simultaneously to control pest populations in the most effective manner possible and manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Since IPM focuses on remediation of the fundamental reasons why pests are here, pesticides are rarely used and only when necessary.

4.2. Pest Management in Buildings: Pest management in buildings focuses on controlling pests inside buildings to create a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for occupants. The primary goal is to prevent infestations of common building pests that can cause health issues, damage property, or disrupt daily activities.

4.3. Pest Management in Landscapes: Pest management in landscapes focuses on controlling pests in outdoor areas around buildings, including gardens, landscapes, lawns, and other exterior environments. Its goal is to prevent pests from damaging plants, outdoor structures, and ecosystems, as well as to stop them from entering buildings.

4.4. Pest: Any animal, plant, or microorganism that negatively affects human environments by causing damage to buildings, crops or landscapes or pose health risks to humans, pets, or livestock. Pests may also interfere with the aesthetic and functional value of spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

4.5. Pesticide: Any substance or mixture of chemical and biological substances used to control pests by preventing, repelling or mitigating them. Pesticides can be synthetic or natural, and they are applied in various forms, such as sprays, powders, or granules, depending on the type of pest and area of application.

4.6. Toxic pesticides: Pesticides that pose a high risk to human health, animals, beneficial organisms, and the environment. They can cause severe short-term or long-term effects, including poisoning, cancer, reproductive issues, or environmental contamination.

4.7. Less-toxic pesticides: Pesticides have a lower risk of causing sever health or environmental damage compared to toxic pesticides. They may still pose some risks but are generally considered safer alternatives with a reduced impact on non-target organisms and ecosystems.

4.8. Least-toxic pesticides: These are pesticides with minimal or no significant harm to humans, animals, beneficial organisms, and the environment. They often degrade quickly and do not leave harmful residues.

4.9. Emergency: Urgent pest problem that arises suddenly and requires immediate intervention to prevent significant damage to public health, the environment, or assets.

SECTION 5 PROVISIONS

General

5.1. IPM practices are encouraged over the sole use of pesticides as the primary means of pest management.

5.2. Developing a comprehensive IPM program and approach allows UM6P to focus on its primary efforts of pollution prevention. By monitoring and preventing pests as well as minimizing heavy pest infestations we can reduce the need for chemicals and/or multiple applications.

5.3. Campus facility services staff involved in the oversight of pesticide use must actively acquire and maintain their knowledge of IPM and the importance of its use in safeguarding human and environmental health.

5.4. The goal of IPM is not to eliminate all pests, but to keep their populations at tolerable levels that are acceptable to UM6P community, minimizing any potential health risks and environmental impacts.

 

5.5. IPM is not a single method of pest control but rather a series of pest management assessments and decisions. To ensure an effective IPM, UM6P commits to following a consisting of the following steps which are further detailed in Appendices 1 and 2:

 5.5.1. Set action thresholds: Action thresholds are specific levels of pest population or damage to trigger a control action. They are set from previous experience or published recommendations and based on health and safety concerns, environmental factors, and economic considerations.

 5.5.2. Monitor and identify pests: This step involves the regular observation and identification of pest species and their population levels. Accurate monitoring helps determine when pests have reached action thresholds, ensuring that control measures are applied only when required and targeting the correct pests.

 5.5.3. Prevent or remove conditions that attract pests: Prevention focuses on reducing  the factors that attract pests. By addressing these conditions proactively, the likelihood of pest infestations is minimized, reducing the need for reactive control measures.

 5.5.4 Control: This is the process of selecting and implementing appropriate pest control methods when pest populations exceed action thresholds. IPM programs use a variety of pest control tactics in a compatible manner that minimize adverse effects to the environment, and to the health and wellbeing of UM6P community. A combination of several control tactics is usually more effective in minimizing pest damage than any single control method. The type of control that UM6P selects will likely vary on a case-by-case basis due to the varying site conditions.

5.6. The use of pesticides within the IPM program is permitted only when pest populations exceed established thresholds and approach damaging levels. Pesticides should be applied exclusively in the affected areas. Exceptions may be made for disease prevention, where specific modifications to this approach may be allowed.

Pesticide use and Safety guidelines

5.7. In all cases where emergency pest treatment is not required, it is mandated to use alternative pest control methods before applying chemical pesticides or baits. This ensures that we first explore non-chemical options to manage pests effectively.

5.8. If alternative pest control methods prove ineffective, it is required to use least-toxic pesticides before considering more toxic options. This step ensures that safety and environmental considerations are prioritized in UM6P pest management plan.

5.9. It is essential to store pesticides securely and dispose of them properly according to local regulations.

5.10. It is mandatory to apply pesticides in targeted areas only, following all safety guidelines and label instructions to minimize exposure risks.

5.11. It is preferable for all products used in pest management to be approved by the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA).

5.12. All procedures related to handling pesticide exposure and accidents are detailed in Appendix 3.

Pest management for buildings

5.13. Pest management for buildings aims to prevent pests from entering and infesting buildings, address and eliminate conditions conductive to pest establishment, and ensure that pest management practices are integrated with overall facility maintenance and hygiene.

5.14. It is necessary to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and organization at UM6P to ensure effective pest management in its buildings.

5.15. Education and training are essential for the success of an Interior IPM program. Building occupants and maintenance staff should be trained on pest identification, the importance of maintaining cleanliness, and the procedures for reporting pest sightings. Regular training and awareness programs help in fostering a collaborative effort to maintain a pest-free environment and ensure that everyone is informed about their role in pest management.

5.16. Any pest management applications within the buildings of UM6P campus must adhere to the four-tiered approach outlined in Appendix 1.

5.17. UM6P commits to tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and improve pest management in buildings. These KPIs include the complaint resolution rate, 4D maintenance plan completion rate every trimester, and areas with high complaint rate, along with monthly analysis of complaint motives.

 

Pest Management for landscapes

5.18. Pest management for landscapes should focus on keeping the campus’ animal and insect pest population under control and preventing pests from entering buildings.

5.19. Invasive plants and fungi are considered landscape pests and should be included in pest management strategies.

5.20. UM6P recognizes the importance of maintaining healthy landscapes making plants less susceptible to pest infestations, which is a critical strategy for weed and insect control.

5.21. UM6P considers the following in regard to exterior pest management:

5.21.1. Landscaping features that might harbor pests (e.g. vegetation close to structures that could cause damage to the building or provide habitat for vectors should be trimmed and removed)

5.21.2Managing pest attractants (e.g. trash cans, compost bins)

5.21.3. Controlling noxious weeds and invasive plants

5.22. Any pest management applications within the landscapes of UM6P campus must adhere to the four-tiered approach outlined in Appendix 2.

5.23. UM6P commits to tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and improve pest management in landscapes. These KPIs include the percentage reduction in pest populations after treatment, the number of emergency treatments conducted per year, and the user satisfaction rate related to pest management, particularly in sensitive areas.

Quality Control

5.24. After applying control measures, it is necessary to continue monitoring pest populations to assess effectiveness as well as to re-evaluate and adjust thresholds, monitoring techniques, and control strategies as needed to ensure ongoing pest management success.

SECTION 6 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1. The table below outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of the IPM team:

Name/Title	Responsibilities
Overall responsible party: Mouhcine Talbaoui, General Affairs Manager	1. Ensuring that this plan is executed. 2. Ensuring that the contracted IPM service provider is fully trained on this plan and adheres to the plan procedures. 3. Coordinating site visits by the service provider for regular inspections and as needed for implementation of pest controls. 4. Overseeing work performed by the service provider. 5. Approving the use of pesticides when they are necessary. 6. Providing proper notification to occupants when non-least toxic pesticides are applied in buildings. 7. Ensuring tenant contracts are aware of the procedures in this plan. 8. Evaluating performance and making updates to the plan as necessary.
Pest control service provider	1. Adhering to the procedures outlined in this policy and its appendices. 2. Identifying pests during site visits and inspections. 3. Reporting the results of site visits and inspections to the overall responsible party. 4. Notifying the overall responsible party when pest action thresholds are reached or exceeded. 5. Obtaining approval from the overall responsible party to apply chemical pesticides when necessary.
Tenant contracts	1. Reporting pest issues in respective tenant spaces to overall responsible party.