COPING WITH PESTICIDE REGISTRATION PROBLEMS

The Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was created to cope with complex pesticide problems and their effect on man and the environment. State pesticide laws have a similar responsibility and often provide additional regulation to address problems or conditions specific to that individual state. Pesticides are unique when compared to other potential pollutants. Unlike most others, pesticides are deliberately introduced into the environment to achieve a distinct result or benefit. This very fact requires that the benefits afforded by these chemicals be weighed against the undesirable consequences likely to result. This benefit/ risk balancing is not easy