CPA Federal Pesticide Laws 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FIFRA, which entity is primarily responsible for registering pesticide products before they can be sold or distributed in the United States?
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Correct answer)
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- State departments of agriculture
Correct answer: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA is the federal agency responsible for registering all pesticide products under FIFRA before they can be legally sold or distributed.
Question 2: A pesticide is classified as 'Restricted Use' (RUP) primarily because it:
- Is approved only for organic farming
- May cause unreasonable adverse effects without additional precautions (Correct answer)
- Has expired its registration period
- Is manufactured outside the United States
Correct answer: May cause unreasonable adverse effects without additional precautions
The EPA designates a pesticide as Restricted Use when it may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment or human health without added precautions, requiring certified applicators.
Question 3: Which section of FIFRA requires that pesticide use must be consistent with the product label?
- Section 2
- Section 5
- Section 12 (Correct answer)
- Section 18
Correct answer: Section 12
FIFRA Section 12 prohibits using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling, making the label a legally enforceable document.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) under FIFRA?
- To allow homeowners to mix unregistered chemicals
- To permit testing of unregistered pesticides on limited acreage (Correct answer)
- To exempt certain crops from all pesticide restrictions
- To allow states to override federal registration
Correct answer: To permit testing of unregistered pesticides on limited acreage
An EUP allows manufacturers or researchers to test unregistered pesticides on limited acreage to gather data needed for full registration.
Question 5: Under FIFRA, who bears the burden of proving that a pesticide will not cause unreasonable adverse effects when seeking registration?
- The EPA
- The state department of agriculture
- The pesticide registrant (manufacturer) (Correct answer)
- Independent environmental groups
Correct answer: The pesticide registrant (manufacturer)
Under FIFRA, the registrant (manufacturer) must provide data to demonstrate that the pesticide will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on humans or the environment.
Question 6: Which term describes the cancellation of a pesticide registration when it poses an imminent hazard, taking effect immediately without a hearing?
- Voluntary cancellation
- Suspension (Correct answer)
- Denial
- Conditional registration
Correct answer: Suspension
Under FIFRA, EPA can issue an emergency suspension to immediately remove a pesticide from the market when it poses an imminent hazard, without waiting for a formal cancellation hearing.
Question 7: A pesticide label states 'For use only by certified applicators.' This designation means the product is classified as:
- General use
- Organic certified
- Restricted use (Correct answer)
- Experimental
Correct answer: Restricted use
The phrase 'For use only by certified applicators' is the required label statement for Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) under FIFRA.
CPA Federal Pesticide Laws 2
Under FIFRA, which entity is primarily responsible for registering pesticide products before they can be sold or distributed in the United States?