Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What was one of the significant changes made by the Food Quality Protection Act?

1. Increased pesticide production quotas

2. Stricter safety standards for pesticide registration

3. Reduction in the number of registered pesticides

4. Elimination of pesticide labeling requirements

The correct answer is: Stricter safety standards for pesticide registration

One of the significant changes made by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was the implementation of stricter safety standards for pesticide registration. This landmark legislation, enacted in 1996, aimed to enhance the protection of public health and the environment by establishing more rigorous testing requirements for pesticides. Under the FQPA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was tasked with ensuring that all pesticides would meet a uniform standard of safety, taking into account potential risks to children and sensitive populations. Additionally, the act introduced a requirement for a more thorough evaluation of the cumulative effects of pesticides, considering their combined exposure with other similar chemicals. This comprehensive approach to pesticide safety marked a shift toward more protective and science-based regulations, emphasizing the need for pesticides to be demonstrated safe for human health and the environment prior to their approval for use. The other options present scenarios that do not reflect the actual intent or outcome of the FQPA. For instance, increasing pesticide production quotas or eliminating pesticide labeling requirements would not align with the act's fundamental objectives of safeguarding health and enhancing regulatory oversight. Furthermore, while some pesticides may have been removed from the market, the focus of the FQPA was primarily on improving safety standards rather than merely reducing the number of registered