the pesticide industry to think of the consumer and not in terms of cost-benefits, or as an economic benefit. Last but most significantly, the legislation sets an extremely strict new standard to protect consumers from pesticides in their diet. However, the bill has also opened a new can of worms. What is the EPA’s, the consumers, the agriculture and pesticide industries responsibilities? Ten years ago, it was the consumer’s responsibility. The pesticide Alar, used on apples, was found to have poisoned bordering water reservoirs. Neighboring communities’ were complaining of like symptoms. Although no intense research was brought about, it was confirmed the pesticide used in the nearby apple orchards poisoned the water. In 1988, “60 Minutes” aired an unproven report that set off a scare over the pesticide, Alar. Ten years later, the Federal Government posed “that the U.S. food supply is the safest in the world.” (Burros, 14) In response, a representative of the Consumer Union group disagreed and stated, “that in a majority of cases, domestic produce had more, or more toxic, pesticide residues than imported produce.” (Burros, 14) Consumer reports (published by the Consumer Union) is swaying to agree with “60 Minutes” unproven report, questioning the toxicity tolerance in the pesticides used on some of the fruits and vegetables consumed. “It’s not about fear of food…its about giving people information to make smart choices” Edward Groth, director of technical policy and public service for Consumers Unions, stated to the New York Times. This is not the first publication that has set off a scare in the pesticide industry; a book by the name of “Silent Spring“ introduced the world to the ups and downs of pesticides. Although the book opened the worlds eye’s to the hazardous effects of pesticides, the matter is still unresolv...
