What does the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) allow the EPA to do?

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) grants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to monitor and regulate all aspects of pesticide usage and distribution. This includes the registration of pesticides before they can be sold, establishing guidelines for their safe use, and enforcing measures designed to protect human health and the environment. By requiring that all pesticides be registered and evaluated for their effects, FIFRA ensures that only those products proven to be safe and effective enter the market.

The focus of FIFRA is primarily on safety and efficacy rather than controlling prices or fostering global sales. Therefore, while some may consider the economic aspects of pesticide distribution, FIFRA itself does not involve price control or standardization of application times among different states. Each state may have its own regulations that must align with FIFRA, but it does not mandate specific application schedules. Thus, the authority of the EPA under FIFRA is crucial in establishing a regulatory framework that safeguards public health and the environment from potential pesticide risks.