What does the Food Quality Protection Act require the EPA to do regarding pesticide tolerance?

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish tolerances for pesticide residues on food that are low enough to ensure protection for human health and the environment. This mandate emphasizes a health-based standard, which means that any tolerances set must account for the cumulative effects of pesticide exposure and must consider the most vulnerable populations, such as children. This approach reflects a commitment to a more stringent assessment of the safety of pesticides in relation to food sources, rather than merely allowing minimal harm, which aligns with the principle of precautionary measures in environmental health.

By requiring tolerances that are specifically low enough to prevent harm, the FQPA promotes a higher standard of safety for consumers and ecosystems, thereby prioritizing public health and ecological integrity in pesticide regulation.