Opinion ID: 305182
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: significance of epa's decision on immediate suspension of

Text: FIFRA REGISTRATION 3 We begin by reviewing the significance of an EPA decision to issue or withhold an order of immediate suspension of a pesticide registration, pending final administrative consideration.A. The Statutory Framework of FIFRA 4 Since 1970 the Administrator of the EPA has been charged with administering the two systems provided by Congress to regulate the introduction of potentially harmful pesticides into the environment: the establishment of registration and labeling requirements for economic poisons under FIFRA, formerly assigned to the Secretary of Agriculture; and the establishment of tolerance limits for shipment in interstate commerce of crops adulterated by pesticide residues, under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301, et seq., formerly assigned to the Department of Health, Education & Welfare. 2 5 Aldrin and dieldrin are economic poisons under the definition in Sec. 2 of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. Sec. 135(a) (1), and hence are required to be registered with EPA before they may be distributed in interstate commerce, 7 U.S.C. Sec. 135b. An economic poison may lawfully be registered only if it is properly labeled-not misbranded. Section 2(z) of FIFRA, insofar relevant here, provides that an economic poison is misbranded, 7 U.S.C. Sec. 135(z) (2)- 6 (c) if the labeling accompanying it does not contain directions for use which are necessary and if complied with adequate for the protection of the public; 7 (d) if the label does not contain a warning or caution statement which may be necessary and if complied with adequate to prevent injury to living man and other vertebrate animals, vegetation, and useful invertebrate animals; 8