What governs the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide (FIFRA) Act?

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is primarily governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This legislation provides the EPA with authority to regulate the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the United States. Through FIFRA, the EPA is responsible for ensuring that pesticides are evaluated for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for use. This includes assessing the potential environmental impact, human health risks, and the effectiveness of the pesticide against the targeted pests.

The role of the EPA includes establishing guidelines and regulations that pesticide manufacturers must follow to obtain registration for their products. The agency also monitors the use of pesticides, conducts research, and carries out enforcement actions to ensure compliance with the law. By overseeing these aspects, the EPA works to protect both public health and the environment from the misuse of pesticides.

While the Department of Agriculture plays a role in agricultural practices and schools of agricultural science may be involved in pesticide research, it is the EPA that has the authority under FIFRA. State governments can implement additional regulations, but these are generally adaptations or expansions of federal law, rather than the primary governance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not govern FIFRA; its focus is more on food safety and