True or False: Farmers are solely responsible for the treatment of pests without external regulation.

The statement that farmers are solely responsible for the treatment of pests without external regulation is false. In agricultural practices, there are numerous regulations and guidelines set forth by government agencies that oversee pest management to ensure environmental safety and public health. These regulations are in place to govern the types of pesticides that can be used, their application methods, and safety protocols that farmers must follow.

Furthermore, farmers are often required to adhere to integrated pest management (IPM) practices, which promote environmentally friendly approaches to pest control and require the use of various methods, not only chemical treatments. These regulations help protect not only the crops and farm workers but also the surrounding ecosystem and communities. Thus, the correct assessment reflects the complexity of pest management practices, which are influenced by legal and regulatory frameworks rather than being solely the responsibility of individual farmers.