Who is responsible for reviewing data collected for pesticide registration?

The responsibility for reviewing data collected for pesticide registration involves multiple parties, which is why the choice of "all of the above" is correct. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in the registration process, as it is the federal agency tasked with evaluating the safety and efficacy of pesticides before they can be marketed. This involves a thorough review of the data collected by manufacturers regarding the pesticide's environmental impact, human health effects, and overall effectiveness.

The pesticide manufacturers themselves are also responsible, as they are required to generate and submit the necessary data to the EPA and ensure that their products meet regulatory standards. They must conduct various studies to support their registration applications, which are then reviewed by the EPA.

Independent contractors may be involved in conducting research, studies, or assessments required for the registration process. They often carry out specific tasks or research on behalf of the manufacturers, contributing to the data that needs to be reviewed by the EPA.

Thus, since the registration process encompasses activities from the EPA, manufacturers, and sometimes independent contractors, selecting "all of the above" aptly reflects the collective responsibility in reviewing and validating the data necessary for pesticide registration.