International Pesticide Trade: Is There Any Hope for the Effective Regulation of Controlled Substances?

In this Article, the author argues for stronger regulation, both domestically and internationally, of the importation of toxic pesticides into developing countries. Additionally, he argues there should be greater exchange of information regarding the danger and proper use of toxic pesticides. The author begins by discussing the adverse health and environmental effects of unregulated pesticides. He also explores the idea that while pesticides are heavily regulated in the United States, the importation of unregulated toxic pesticides into developing countries usually results in the pesticides finding their way back into the United States\u27 food supply through what is known as the circle of poison. The author provides a brief overview of the structural and procedural framework of voluntary international regulation schemes, namely Prior Informed Consent, the London Guidelines, and the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution of Pesticides. Next, the author describes the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its role in assessing the effects of pesticides on food safety and establishing appropriate safety levels. Finally, the author discusses the federal statutes currently in place to regulate toxic pesticides: The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, and the Toxic Substances Control Act