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What penalties can be assessed for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)?

  1. Civil

  2. Criminal

  3. Civil and criminal

  4. None

The correct answer is: Civil and criminal

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) establishes a regulatory framework to ensure that pesticides are used in a manner that protects human health and the environment. When violations of FIFRA occur, the law allows for significant penalties to be enforced, which can include both civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties can involve monetary fines and orders to cease activities that violate the Act. This serves as a deterrent for improper pesticide use and encourages compliance with regulatory standards. Criminal penalties may be applied in cases of willful violations, such as knowingly distributing unregistered pesticides or making false statements. This aspect of the law underscores the seriousness of adherence to FIFRA regulations, as it holds individuals and corporate entities accountable for actions that can have harmful effects on public health and safety. Thus, the combination of civil and criminal penalties reflects the importance of strict enforcement under FIFRA, aiming to safeguard the environment and public health from misuse of pesticides.