Goals and Benefits

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that domestic and international environmental policies are closely intertwined, and that pesticide regulatory decisions taken in one country can affect public health and environmental quality throughout the world. Particularly in light of increasing international trade in food and in pesticide products, and the role the United States as both a major exporter and a major importer, EPA has a responsibility to engage actively in strengthening the scientific basis of pesticide regulation and promoting better pest and pesticide management practices at home and globally. The goals of EPA’s international pesticide activities are to:

1. PROTECT the safety of the U.S. food supply.

2. DEVELOP common or compatible international approaches to pesticide review, registration and standards-setting.

3. SHARE WORK among governments to reduce the burden of regulatory review and enhance the scientific basis of regulatory decisions worldwide.

4. ENCOURAGE the international pesticide regulatory community to communicate openly with the public on the progress and findings of pesticide evaluations.

5. FACILITATE trade in food and pesticide products, consistent with high standards of public health and environmental protections.

6. SUPPORT and influence international activities to reduce pesticide risks and improve the safety of pesticide use.

7. INFORM governments and others about U.S. regulatory actions and pesticide exports.

8. ASSIST developing countries to improve their ability to regulate pesticides and use them safely.

EPA works to achieve these goals through our policies governing food and pesticide product imports and exports, regulatory cooperation and harmonization activities, negotiating and implementing international agreements, information-sharing, and technical cooperation with developing countries.

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Goals and Benefits

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