Introduction

Classes and uses of pesticides

Legal framework

Approval Levels

Scientific information in the regulatory process.

Risk Management Process

Constitution and function of the various organisations

Management of pesticides in the future.

THE SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDES

The legislative framework that has been described in the previous section is designed with the aim that:

a) pesticides should only be approved for use if they are effective;

b) no-one should develop any serious illness through the use of pesticides;

c) no-one should be harmed or made ill by the presence of pesticide residues in food or drink; and

d) when pesticides are used according to the conditions of their approval, any adverse effects on wildlife or the environment are sufficiently small to be deemed acceptable.

The pursuit of these objectives requires careful scientific assessment of all new pesticides and periodic review of pesticides that are already in use. It is also necessary to seek and evaluate data on any adverse effects that may have resulted from the use of pesticides, as a check that the regulatory system is achieving its goals.

Risk management for new pesticides

Before a new pesticide can be approved for sale and use, evidence is required of its efficacy (i.e. that it has useful pesticidal properties) and that it will not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or to the environment. To this end, companies seeking provisional or full approval for a new product are required to submit an extensive package of scientific data. The components of the package vary to some extent according to the nature of the pesticide and the uses to which it will be put, but as far as possible they are standardised. Such standardisation helps to ensure that important aspects of risk assessment are not overlooked, and also that products are assessed consistently and equitably.