11 - Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

Abstract

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was passed by Congress in 1947. The primary purpose of the Act was to require registration of pesticides to protect consumers from misbranded, adulterated, and/or ineffective pesticides. In 1972 FIFRA was amended by the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act. The primary purpose of the 1972 amendments was to ensure that pesticide use would be subject to a thorough review of environmental and human health hazards. Section 3(3) of the Act provides that, except as otherwise provided by the Act, no person in any state may distribute, sell, or otherwise place into commerce, any pesticide that is not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order to use restricted-use pesticides, applicators must be certified. The administrator sets minimum standards for the certification of applicators. Under FIFRA, the administrator is given the authority to issue and set terms for the experimental use of a pesticide in order to obtain data to support registration. The administrator has the authority to establish procedures and regulations for disposal and storage of packages and containers of pesticides, for disposal or storage of excess amounts of pesticides, and to accept at convenient locations for safe-disposal pesticides. It is advisable to monitor ground and surface water, and plant and wildlife environment on a regular basis around pesticide storage facilities to assure minimal environmental damage.