The pattern of pesticide regulation in Western Europe

Abstract

The increasing scope and complexity of pesticide registration procedures impose strains on the resources of governments and industry. International uniformity would bring benefit to both sides but is harder to achieve in industrialized countries which have to modify long-established laws than in developing countries which can model new schemes on experience elsewhere or take advice from international agencies such as FAO. Active cooperation by industry at both national and international levels is advocated in framing realistic, scientifically-based regulations and in concentrating on those aspects of pesticide usage which pose real, not hypothetical hazards.