MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which law establishes the federal framework for pesticide regulation in the U.S.?

1. Pesticide Applicator Control Act

2. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

3. Pesticide Registration Improvement Act

4. Insect Control Regulation Act

The correct answer is: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the foundational law that sets the framework for pesticide regulation across the United States. Enacted in 1947, FIFRA gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate the distribution, sale, and use of pesticides to ensure that they do not pose unreasonable risks to human health, beneficial organisms, or the environment. Under FIFRA, pesticides must be registered before they can be sold or distributed, requiring manufacturers to submit data demonstrating the product's safety and efficacy. The significance of FIFRA lies in its comprehensive scope, which encompasses labeling requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and the standards for registering pesticides, thereby ensuring that only safe and effective products reach consumers. This law plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health and environmental integrity by requiring rigorous assessments of pesticides before they enter the market.