ABSTRACT
Since the first occurrences of avian mortality from arsenicals and rodenticides in the early 20
century, concerns over pesticide effects on wildlife have led to the development of regulatory guidelines in many countries. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1947 and its amendments (FIFRA), establishes the criteria for the testing and regulation of pesticides. Under FIFRA, pesticides that pose an unreasonable risk to wildlife should either be restricted in their use or banned altogether. In the face of mounting regulatory requirements, producers have sometimes chosen to withdraw pesticides from the market when the cost of meeting testing requirements exceeds the anticipated value of the product or when the ability of the pesticide to meet environmental safety requirements is doubtful.
