Which federal agency is responsible for regulating the manufacturing, sale, transportation, and use of pesticides?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency tasked with regulating the manufacturing, sale, transportation, and use of pesticides. This responsibility stems from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which requires that all pesticides be registered with the EPA before they can be sold or distributed. The EPA evaluates the safety and environmental impact of pesticides, ensuring they can be used without posing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.

In contrast, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily oversees food safety and cosmetics, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on agricultural policies, including those related to farming practices and food safety, but it does not regulate pesticides directly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily deals with public health issues, including disease prevention and control, but is not involved in the regulation of pesticides themselves. Thus, the US EPA clearly fulfills the critical role of managing and overseeing pesticide use in the United States.