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A review of the global pesticide legislation and the scale of challenge in reaching the global harmonization of food safety standards
Author(s) -
Handford Caroline E,
Elliott Christopher T,
Campbell Katrina
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
integrated environmental assessment and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1551-3793
pISSN - 1551-3777
DOI - 10.1002/ieam.1635
Subject(s) - legislation , harmonization , business , pesticide , pesticide residue , european union , agriculture , food safety , productivity , environmental protection , international trade , environmental planning , economic growth , environmental science , economics , geography , political science , food science , law , chemistry , biology , agronomy , physics , archaeology , acoustics
Pesticide use is important in agriculture to protect crops and improve productivity. However, pesticides have the potential to cause adverse human health or environmental effects, depending on exposure levels. This review examines existing pesticide legislation worldwide, focusing on the level of harmonization and impacts of differing legislation on food safety and trade. Pesticide legislation varies greatly worldwide, because countries have different requirements, guidelines, and legal limits for plant protection. Developed nations have more stringent regulations than developing countries, which lack the resources and expertise to adequately implement and enforce legislation. Global differences in pesticide legislation act as a technical barrier to trade. International parties such as the European Union (EU), Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have attempted to harmonize pesticide legislation by providing maximum residue limits (MRLs), but globally these limits remain variable. Globally harmonized pesticide standards would serve to increase productivity, profits, and trade and also enhance the ability to protect public health and the environment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;9999:1–12. © 2015 SETAC