What is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?
|
|
Parrot feather watermilfoil, Myriophyllum aquaticum.
Photo by Alison Fox, University of Florida.
|
FIFRA is the principal law that authorizes EPA to regulate the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the United States. EPA determines that a pesticide meets FIFRA health and safety requirements, and then approves a product label that identifies the terms for safe use of the pesticide. EPA has authority under FIFRA to regulate pesticide use through labeling, packaging, composition, and disposal. EPA also has authority to suspend or cancel pesticide registration if new information shows that continued use of the pesticide would pose unreasonable risks. (For the complete text of FIFRA, see www.epa.gov/opp00001/regulating/fifra.pdf. [ PDF, 744 KB, 106 pages, about PDF ])
States are also authorized to regulate pesticides Pesticides are often understood to be just bug sprays or weed killers, but they include almost all substances or mixtures intended to kill or repel pests, prevent their reproduction, or mitigate or control their behavior or life-patterns. They include repellents and bactericides, as well as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. under FIFRA and state pesticide laws. (For the text of Federal regulations regarding state pesticide registrations, see 40 CFR Part 162 www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/40cfr162_04.html  ). States may place more restrictive requirements on pesticides than does EPA. Contact information for state pesticide regulatory agencies can be found at http://npic.orst.edu/state1.htm.
In particular, FIFRA Sections 18 and 24(c) might apply to AIS rapid response or control activities. Section 18 applies to use of a pesticide for an unregistered use, and Section 24(c) applies to new uses or new end use products.
Continue to FIFRA Section 18 >>
|
|
