Which environmental agency oversees the use of pesticides for vertebrate pest control?

• A. FDA
• B. EPA
• C. OSHA
• D. USDA

Answer: (B)

In the United States, the agency that regulates the use of pesticides, including those for vertebrate pest control, is the Environmental Protection Agency. It registers pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and requires products to be labeled with safe-use instructions, application limits, and restrictions to protect people, non-target animals, and the environment. This oversight includes determining what pests a product can treat, how it can be applied, and who may apply it (including restrictions for certified applicators for certain products). While the FDA deals with pesticide residues in food and OSHA focuses on worker safety, the EPA is the primary regulator establishing the rules for pesticide use and compliance across vertebrate pest-control products. USDA contributes to agricultural programs and pest management, but it is not the main agency regulating pesticide labeling and use.