Reauthorization of the Federal Pesticide Law

Number: 1983-03

 

WHEREAS, drastic cutbacks in EPA staff and budget resources continue to hamper adequate EPA review of pesticide registration applications; and

WHEREAS, examples have surfaced in recent years of pesticide registrations having been granted on the basis of inadequate or even falsified data; and

WHEREAS, full disclosure of pesticide health and safety data is needed so that independent environmental, conservation, and consumer groups, and scientists, can double-check the adequacy of EPA’s health and safety evaluation of pesticides proposed for registration; and

WHEREAS, the several states have a strong and legitimate interest in regulating pesticide use, above and beyond minimum federal standards, so as to meet the unique needs of their citizenry;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1983, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, hereby urges the United States Congress to reauthorize a strong Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), which among other things preserves the right under current law: of public access to pesticide health and environmental data (including methods, test results, and conclusions) on pesticide products registered (or sought to be registered) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and of states to regulate pesticide uses within their borders beyond federal minimum standards.