ABSTRACT

In the Philippines, pesticide use continues to be a significant component of agricultural practice. The pesticide industry is regulated by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), which was created in May 1977 pursuant to Presidential Decree 1144. FPA is a regulatory agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and is in charge of pesticide registration; issuance of experimental use permits; regulation of labeling, packaging, and disposal of pesticides; establishment of MRLs in

feed and foodstuffs; post registration activities including monitoring pesticide importation, sales outlets, and formulation plants; pesticide information systems; licensing of commercial pesticide applicators; and agromedical program activities. For the implementation of certain facets of registration, FPA has formed an interagency Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) composed of experts in various fields of pesticide management. For residue and formulation analysis, FPA draws expertise mainly from the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) while for bioefficacy evaluations, it calls on experts within NCPC, BPI, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and other government institutions. For assistance in monitoring and extension, FPA utilizes personnel from the National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC) and the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx) and, for statistical data about pesticide use, the Bureau of Agricultural Economics (BAEcon). The bulk of FPA’s work is registration; import permits; training of pesticide applicators, dealers, and designated responsible care officers of the pesticide companies; inspection of

formulation plants, dealers, and distributors of pesticides; and training of medical doctors regarding pesticide poisoning.