PESTICIDES, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND US FOREIGN-ASSISTANCE

Pesticides can contribute to increases in agricultural productivity. U nfortunately, the inherently toxic nature of pesticides makes their us e problematic. Even when used properly, pesticides pose potential risk s to human health and the environment. When pesticides are used improp erly, the health and environmental consequences can be severe. The ris ks inherent in pesticide use create a dilemma far the international do nor community. All members of this community are committed to increasi ng the well-being of the world's poor, and most hare a commitment to d evelopment that is environmentally sustainable. How then do donors rec oncile the potential appeal of pesticide use with their concern for en vironmental quality? This article examines ham the U.S. Agency for int ernational Development (USAID) addresses this question anti ham in pol icies an pest management and the environment have evolved since the ag ency's creation. Consideration of USAID's policies is instructive, not only because of the magnitude of U.S, foreign assistance, but also be cause of the health, agricultural, and environmental consequences of t hese policies and their effects on recipient nations, and because the agency's experiences with the donation of pesticides provides much of the explanation for the agency's current environmental procedures, inc luding those associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NE PA).