Minnesota Pesticide Applicator Practice Test

No pesticide may be sold in the US until it is approved by which agency?

1. EPA

2. Department of Agriculture

3. US Food and Drug Administration

4. FIFRA

The correct answer is: EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency responsible for evaluating and approving pesticides before they can be legally sold in the United States. This process ensures that pesticides are safe for human health and the environment, adhering to the guidelines set out under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The EPA assesses the efficacy, potential risks, and environmental impact of each pesticide product before granting approval. The other agencies listed serve different roles in the regulation of agricultural products and food safety. The Department of Agriculture focuses on various aspects of agriculture but does not have the authority to approve pesticides directly. The US Food and Drug Administration primarily regulates food safety and drug administration, rather than pesticide approval. FIFRA is the legislation that governs pesticide regulation but does not act as an agency; instead, it provides the framework under which the EPA operates when evaluating pesticides. Thus, the EPA is the correct answer.