Mission

The mission of the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program (SIR) is to reduce the use of pesticides and support our local fruit producers by providing the most cost-effective, innovative, and successful approach to area-wide pest management.  We strive to deliver a sustainable and transparent public program – informed by the best available data and technical expertise – to mitigate the threat of codling moth to our local pome fruit industry, to create a healthier environment for our communities, and to provide a net-benefit for the planet.

Vision

SIR envisions a pesticide-free approach to controlling codling moth and other pest populations in the SIR Program region and beyond. We seek to demonstrate the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with our successful reduction of codling moth and to provide a leading example for other parties interested in advancing the use of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to manage pest populations in a way that maximizes the benefits to our economies and our communities while minimizing the risks to people and the environment.