Pesticides: Comparison of U.S. and Mexican Pesticide Standards and Enforcement

摘要

Mexico accounts for nearly one-half of all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetablesexported to the United States. If current free trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico are completed successfully, the level of imported Mexican produce (fresh fruits and vegetables) may increase significantly. This anticipated rise has heightened concern that pesticide use may increase and residue levels on Mexican produce may exceed U.S. limits if growers attempt to maximize production with these new opportunities for agricultural exports. To provide information on this issue, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture requested, among other filings, that GAO (1) compare U.S. and Mexican requirements for pesticide registration and tolerances (allowable levels of pesticide residues), (2) examine U.S.-Mexican differences in tolerances on produce exported to the United States, and (3) compare the methods Mexico and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use to ensure safe levels of pesticide residues on produce entering the United States from Mexico. jg p.4.