Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) Archives
1998

RNNs

2000 ARCHIVES
1999 ARCHIVES
1998 ARCHIVES (This Page)
1996-1997 ARCHIVES

        Bt corn and European corn borer: refuges vital!
        First crop profiles available on the Web
        Monte Carlo analyses
        Pesticide use data
        Review of aluminum phosphide and magnesium phosphide (phosphine gas)
        Science policy papers concerning FQPA

RNN 12/3/98

        1998 EPA "Rainbow Report" available
        Science policy issues related to FQPA
        Vinclozolin (Ronilan) use deletion of strawberries and stone fruits

RNN 11/4/98

        Methyl bromide phaseout extended until 2005
        Revocation of Pesticide Tolerances for Canceled Food Uses

RNN 10/27/98

        EPA to publish reregistration division's 1999 workplan
        Tolerance revocations: dichlobenil (Casoron)
        Tolerance revocations: metribuzin (Sencor)
        Tolerance revocations: pendimethalin (Prowl)
        Tolerance revocations: sulprofos (Bolstar)
        Tolerance revocations: terbacil (Sinbar)
        Methyl bromide update

RNN 10/5/98
        Preliminary Risk Assessments on 7 Additional Organophosphates
        Rotenticide Stakeholder Evaluation and Meetings

9/4/98
        Preliminary Risk Assessments for 9 Organophosphates
        Funding opportunity: USDA National Research Initiative (NRI)
        Recently Registered Pesticide Active Ingredients

7/10/98
        Description of the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC)

6/19/98
        Funding opportunity: USDA Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP)
        Funding opportunity: USDA Food Safety Research

5/22/98
        USDA followup response to Administration's perspective on implementation
          of FQPA

4/20/98
        Clarification of the Administration's perspective on implementation of FQPA
        Response from EPA

3/3/98
       Tolerance revocations: Pesticde residues in or on livestock feed
       Tolerance revocations: vinclozolin (Ronilan, Ornalin)
       Tolerance revocations: Proposed crop-pesticide list

RNN 12/16/98

This issue of the RNN contains notices concerning Bt corn and the European corn borer, the first crop profiles on the web, Monte Carlo analyses, pesticide use data, phosphine fumigant review, and EPA science policy papers related to FQPA.

IR- 4 (USDA Interregional Research Project No. 4) has recently published a revised, second edition of "Food and Feed Crops of the United States" by G.M. Markle, J.J. Baron, and B.A. Schneider. This 517- page compendium covers selected botanical and horticultural information on over 691 crops. It is an important reference for anyone concerned with commodity vocabulary, crop groupings, and pesticide residue testing. It can be ordered from Meister Publishing Company for $34.95 by calling 800- 572- 7740, faxing 440- 942- 0662, or on the web at http://www.meisterpro.com.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. Questions and comments may be directed to your State Liaison Representative (on our web page) for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) or Kent Smith at 202- 720- 3186, fax 202- 720- 3191, E-mail ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for OPMP and PIAP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/.

Bt CORN & EUROPEAN CORN BORER: REFUGES VITAL!

A group of scientists representing 20 Land Grant Universities have recommended that refuges continue to be utilized to delay European corn borer from becoming resistant to Bt corn. These refuges should prevent Bt protein exposure to 20- 30% of the European corn borer larval population which can be achieved by planting 20- 30% of the corn on a farm to unsprayed non- Bt corn. This area should increase to 40% if the refuge is sprayed with insecticides. Such a strategy should prolong the durability of Bt corn technology which provides more effective and consistent control of European corn borer than insecticides, with less cost and fewer logistical, health, or environmental concerns. The recommendations were made by the North Central Regional Research Project (NC- 205), a regional research committee supported by Land Grant Universities, USDA- CSREES and ARS.

This recommendation was published in October of 1998 and can be viewed on the web at http://ent.umn.edu/ecb/nc205doc.htm; click on NCR- 602 Supplement.pdf. This is a supplement to an earlier recommendation made in 1997, which can be viewed at the same site. For additional information contact:

Dr. E.E. Ortman
Purdue University
Phone 765- 494- 8366
Fax 765- 494- 0808
E-mail: eeo@aes.purdue.edu

Source: Regional Research Committee, NC 205. 1998. Supplement to: Bt Corn & European Corn Borer: Long-Term Success Through Resistance Management, NCR- 602, 10 pp.

FIRST CROP PROFILES AVAILABLE ON THE WEB

The first crop profiles are now available on the web. Crop profiles are summaries of pest management methods utilized on an individual crop usually within a state. They provide information on current pest problems, pest management methods used, crop production data, and key references and contacts. Coordinated by the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) and the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy, crop profiles are being developed by a wide variety of interested individuals from state extension specialists to agricultural producer groups. The final crop profiles are reviewed by all interested parties and monitored by representatives of PIAP.

Crop profiles have a variety of uses. Principally, they provide a readily available and concise source of accurate and up- to- date information to EPA and USDA on pest management methods, use, and needs. They also serve as a readily available source of information about pest management on a given crop in a given state for use by state officials, growers, and the general public. As a listing of the critical needs in pest management, they will help to identify research priorities for future research funding.

You can access crop profiles on the web by contacting the OPMP/PIAP home page at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/, click on CROP PROFILES, then Completed Crop Profiles, and then select the desired crop profile.

For additional information contact:

Mr. Wilfred Burr
USDA Office of Pest Management Policy
Phone 202- 720- 8647
Fax 202- 720- 3191
wburr@ars.usda.gov

MONTE CARLO ANALYSES

EPA, USDA- OPMP, and USDA- ARS have recently agreed to conduct a detailed analysis of the Monte Carlo risk assessment models to determine the scientific validity of basing risk assessments on the 99.9% model output level. In addition to examination of the sensitivity and errors at various output levels, the team will test the response of the model to statistically validated residue and consumption data.

PESTICIDE USE DATA

Current EPA risk assessments for the organophosphates rely heavily on the percent of crop treated. Because there are numerous sources of data, EPA, USDA- OPMP, and USDA- NASS(National Agricultural Statistics Service) have recently agreed to develop standard procedures for estimating percent crop treated. EPA has agreed to make the estimates more transparent in all risk assessments.

REVIEW OF ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE AND MAGNESIUM PHOSPHIDE (PHOSPHINE GAS)

The USDA Office of Pest Management Policy had convened a Phosphine Task Force to work with EPA to develop risk mitigation strategies. This work has begun and will continue as long as it is necessary. The task force is reviewing and evaluating EPA proposals to reduce worker and bystander exposure to phosphine in and around fumigation sites. We will notify you when the Reregistration Eligibility Document (RED) is published and the official comment period begins on the EPA proposed mitigation strategies.

The USDA Phosphine Task Force includes: Dr. Dennis W. Keever, North Carolina State University; Dr. Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia; Dr. Franklin H. Arthur, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, Kansas; Dr. Jim Criswell, Oklahoma State University; Dr. Linda Mason, Purdue University; and Dr. Larry Zettler, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fresno, California.

For additional information contact:

Mr. Ted Rogers
USDA Office of Pest Management Policy
Phone 202- 720- 3846
Fax 202- 720- 3191
trogers@ars.usda.gov

SCIENCE POLICY PAPERS CONCERNING FQPA
EPA is soliciting comments on three draft science policy papers that relate to science policy area #3: Exposure Assessment - Interpreting "No Residues Detected." A summary of each paper, comments on the general science policy issue concerned, and recommended issues for comment are included in a 12/4/98 Federal Register notice cited below. The nine science policy issues were outlined in an earlier Federal Register notice on 10/29/98 and listed here in the RNN on 12/3/98.

The three draft science policy papers and their docket numbers are: 1) "Proposed threshold of regulation policy when a food use does not require a tolerance" OPP- 00569, 2) "Assigning values to nondetected/nonquantified pesticide residues in human health dietary exposure assessments" OPP- 00570, and 3) "A statistical method for incorporating nondetected pesticide residues into human health dietary exposure assessments" OPP- 00571.

These papers are available for review on the web and by fax. For web viewing or printing, access http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac/, under December 4, 1998, click on the science policy papers mentioned above. For fax copies, use a faxphone to call 202- 401- 0527 and select item 6024 for the paper on "Proposed threshold...", item 6025 for the paper on "Assigning values...", and item 6026 for the paper on "A statistical...."

Written comments on these papers should be submitted by 2/4/99 by E-mail or mail to the Public Information Branch of EPA. Be sure to mention the docket number mentioned with the papers above.

Submit written comments to:

Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
Information Resources and Services Division (7502C)
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
opp-docket@epa.gov

For questions on the papers titled "Assigning values..." and "A statistical..." contact:

Ms. Kathleen Martin
EPA, Health Effects Division
Phone 703- 308- 2857
Fax 703- 305- 5147
martin.kathleen@epa.gov

For questions on the paper titled "Proposed threshold..." contact:

Ms. Vivian Prunier
EPA, Field and External Affairs Division
Phone 703- 308- 9341
Fax 703- 305- 5884
prunier.vivian@epa.gov

Source: Federal Register 63:67063 12/4/98

RNN 12/3/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated December 3, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains notices of EPA's Science Policy Issues that are related to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and the deletion of strawberry and stone fruit uses from vinclozolin (Ronilan) labels.

1998 EPA "RAINBOW REPORT" AVAILABLE

The 1998 edition of the EPA "Rainbow report" is available. Titled, "Status of Pesticides in Registration, Reregistration, and Special Review", all 458 pages of this EPA publication are available on the web or as printed copies. Available in PDF format it can be accessed at EPA's web page: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/Rainbow/98rainbo.pdf. It is also available in hard copy, free while the supply lasts, by calling the National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198(mention EPA #738-R-98-002).

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. Questions and comments may be directed to your State Liaison Representative (on our webpage) for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) or Kent Smith at 202-720-3186,fax 202-720-3191, E-mail ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for OPMP and PIAP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/.

SCIENCE POLICY ISSUES RELATED TO FQPA

EPA announced in the Federal Register on 10/29/98, a schedule and framework for addressing nine key science policies to implement provisions of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). The EPA is seeking to make its decision- making process transparent, to actively engage the public, and to ensure that its framework is independently reviewed. They expect to issue one or more papers on each of the nine science policy issues over the next 15 months.

The nine science policy issues listed in EPA's notice are: 1) Applying the FQPA 10-Fold Factor, 2) Dietary Exposure Assessment - Whether and How to Use "Monte Carlo" Analysis, 3) Exposure Assessment - Interpreting "No Residues Detected," 4) Dietary (Food) Exposure Estimates, 5) Dietary(Drinking Water) Exposure Estimates, 6) Assessing Residential Exposure, 7) Aggregating Exposures from all Non-Occupational Sources, 8) How to Conduct a Cumulative Risk Assessment for Pesticides with a Common Mechanism of Toxicity, and 9) Selection of Appropriate Toxicity Endpoints for Risk Assessments of Organophosphates. The notice gives a summary of each science policy issue. EPA issued papers and solicited comments on 11/5/98 in the Federal Register concerning two of the science policy issues mentioned above. The first paper concerned science policy issue #2 above, and is titled, "Guidance for the Submission of Probabilistic Human Health Exposure Assessments to the Office of Pesticide Programs." A second addresses science policy issue #9 above, and is titled, "The Use of Data on Cholinesterase Inhibition for Risk Assessments." A detailed summary and list of suggested questions/issues for comment pertaining to each paper are included in the 11/5/98 Federal Register notice.

Both of these papers are available for review on the web and by fax. For web viewing or printing, access http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac/,under November 5, 1998, click on the science policy papers mentioned above. For fax copies, use a fax phone to call 202-401-0527 and select item 6021 for the paper on probabilistic exposure and item 6022 for the paper on cholinesterase inhibition.

Written comments on these papers should be submitted by 1/4/99 by E-mail or mail to the Public Information Branch of EPA. Be sure to mention the docket number OPP-00559 for the paper on probabilistic exposure and the docket number OPP-00560 for the paper on cholinesterase inhibition.

Submit written comments to:

Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
Information Resources and Services Division (7502C)
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
opp-docket@epa.gov

For questions on probabilistic exposure, contact:

Ms. Kathleen Martin
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
Phone 703-308-2857
Fax 703-305-5147
kempter.carlton@epa.gov

For questions on cholinesterase inhibition, contact:

Mr. William Wooge
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
Phone 703-308-8794
Fax 703-305-5147
wooge.william@epa.gov

For general questions about science policy, contact:

Mr. Jeff Kempter
EPA, Registration Division
Phone 703- 305- 5448
Fax 703- 305- 6920
kempter.carlton@epa.gov

Sources: Federal Register 63:58038 10/29/98
EPA Press #R-149 10/30/98
Federal Register 63:59780 11/5/98

VINCLOZOLIN (RONILAN) USE DELETION OF STRAWBERRIES AND STONE FRUITS

EPA has approved BASF's label amendments deleting strawberries and stone fruits from all new vinclozolin labels as of 9/4/98. Vinclozolin (Ronilan) is still registered to control fungi (Botrytis spp., Sclerotinia spp., etc.) on many other crops (listed below). Existing stocks of vinclozolin products with strawberries and stone fruits listed may be used until January 30, 2000, which is when the tolerances for strawberries and stone fruit will be revoked.

REGISTERED USES with continued support from BASF: BEANS (succulent), KIWI (Special Local Need (SLN) in CA & SC), LETTUCE, ONIONS, ORNAMENTALS, RASPBERRIES, and TURF (on golf courses).

For further product information, contact:

Mr. Abe Tobia
BASF Corporation
Phone 919-547-2972
Fax 919-547-2880
tobia@basf.com

For information about this regulatory action, contact:

Mr. Mark Wilhite
EPA, Reregistration Branch I
Phone 703-308-8586
Fax 703- 308-8041
wilhite.mark@epamail.epa.gov

Source: Federal Register 63:59557 11/4/98

RNN 11/4/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated November 4, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains notices of the revised methyl bromide phaseout, and a listing of about 700 tolerances that EPA plans to revoke. These tolerances planned for revocation once supported registered uses that have since been canceled.

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has published an interesting issue paper on the proposed EPA plant pesticide rule. This paper was published in October of 1998 and can be accessed at the web address of http://www.cast-science.org/, click on "Publications" and then click on "Issue Paper" for "The Proposed EPA Plant Pesticide Rule" (second publication listed).

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest.  Questions and comments may be directed to your State Liaison Representative (on our webpage) for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) or Kent Smith at 202-720-3186, fax 202-720-3191, email ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for OPMP and PIAP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/.

METHYL BROMIDE PHASEOUT EXTENDED UNTIL 2005

The methyl bromide phaseout in the United States has changed! The U.S.will no longer be phasing out methyl bromide by 2001. Due to recent legislative actions by the U.S. Congress, the methyl bromide phaseout in the U.S. has been changed to the following

1) Methyl bromide production and importation will be reduced from 1991 levels as follows:
- 25% reduction in 1999
- 50% reduction in 2001
- 70% reduction in 2003
- 100% reduction in 2005
2) Preshipment and quarantine uses exempt, and
3) Critical agricultural uses allocated after 2005.

Congress attached an amendment to the Fiscal Year 1999 Appropriations bill that makes these specific changes to the Clean Air Act. These changes will essentially "harmonize" the U.S. phase out of methyl bromide with the Montreal Protocol phaseout schedule for developed countries.

Further information about this development can be obtained from the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr. You can also call the EPA Ozone Protection Hotline at 800-296-1996 or contact Bill Thomas who is listed below.

For additional information contact

Mr. Bill Thomas
EPA, Stratospheric Protection Division
Phone 202-564-9179
Fax 202-565-2156
thomas.bill@epa.gov

Source EPA methyl bromide website http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr

REVOCATION OF PESTICIDE TOLERANCES FOR CANCELED FOOD USES

EPA issued two final rules on 10/26/98 that announced the revocation of tolerances for residues of certain pesticides associated with canceled food uses. About 700 tolerances are being revoked which supported uses that were once registered on more than 440 site-pesticide combinations. They are listed below. This final rule becomes effective on 1/25/99.

Notice of the proposed actions for these final rules were published in the Federal Register on 1/21/98 and 2/5/98, and given here, in the RNN, on 3/3/98. Originally, more than 800 tolerances were proposed for revocation which affected about 520 site-pesticide combinations. Therefore, about 100 tolerances have been withdrawn from possible revocation representing an estimated 80 site-pesticide combinations.

The reasons for the withdrawal of some proposed tolerance revocations are specifically listed in EPA's final rules. They include import considerations, planned registration of associated uses, existence of stocks of canceled products, existence of residues in available food commodities, etc. Many of these tolerances will be dealt with by EPA in future reassessment and reregistration activities.

Please check the attached list. If you find a site-pesticide combination which is apparently threatened by a planned revocation of a tolerance and you feel it is still necessary, you can file an objection or request a hearing by 12/28/98 and possibly still stop a planned revocation. However, before you do this, we recommend you first consult the EPA contact, Dr. Joseph Nevola. EPA will not revoke any tolerance if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

To file a written objection or request a hearing, mention OPP-300733 or OPP-300735 (listed with asterisk), and contact

Hearing Clerk (1900)
EPA, Room M3708
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov

The following site-pesticide combinations are the uses associated with the revoked tolerances published by EPA in the Federal Register on 10/26/98 to be effective on 1/25/99. Most of these uses are canceled. Uses based on the first list (63 FR 57062) of two lists published on that date have an asterisk following the chemical name. This list is not an official interpretation of EPA's rulemaking. It attempts to determine the possible impact of tolerance revocations on pesticide use. If you find a use in this list that you would like to defend, we recommend that you consult the EPA contact above, Dr. Joseph Nevola, to obtain an official determination that your use will be impacted by the tolerance revocations before you file a written objection or request a hearing.

ALFALFA - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DISULFOTON (DISYSTON), FENTHION (BAYTEX), ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, PHORATE (THIMET), PROPHAM* (IPC), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

ALL CROPS (EXEMPT) - COPPER ACETATE*, COPPER SULFATE MONOHYDRATE*, COPPER-ZINC-CHROMATE COMPLEX*, HIRSUTELLA THOMPSONII* (POSTHARVEST ONLY), N-PROPYL ISOMER*, RYANIA*, TRIACON-10* (MELISSYL ALCOHOL)

ALL CROPS (GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE) - CALCIUM OXIDE*, FUMARIC ACID*, POTASSIUM CARBONATE*, POTASSIUM POLYSULFIDE*, SODIUM BENZOATE*, SODIUM POLYSULFIDE*, SODIUM SESQUINCARBONATE*, SORBIC ACID* AND ITS POTASSIUM SALT*

ALMONDS - ETHION, FERBAM, PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), TRIADIMEFON (BAYLETON), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

APPLES - ACETALDEHYDE*, AMMONIUM SULFAMATE (AMMATE), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DIALIFOR* (TORAK), DICHLONE*, DIOXATHION*, ETHION, ETHOXYQUIN (STOPSCALD), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP), TRIIODOBENZOIC ACID* (TIBA)

APRICOTS - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), ETHION, TRIADIMEFON (BAYLETON), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

ARTICHOKES - PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), SIMAZINE (PRINCEP)(final on 12/31/2000), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

ASPARAGUS - SIMAZINE (PRINCEP)(final on 12/31/2000)

AVOCADOS - CAPTAN, ETRIDIAZOLE (TERRAZOLE)

BANANAS - SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE* (DHA), TRICHLORFON (DIPTEREX)

BARLEY - ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, PHORATE (THIMET), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

BEANS - BUTRALIN (AMEX)(LIMA ONLY), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC)(DRY/SUCCULENT ONLY), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DICHLONE*, ETHION, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)(DRY AND LIMA ONLY)

BEEHIVES - BUTANOIC ANHYDRIDE*

BEETS - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

BEETS, SUGAR (See SUGAR BEETS)

BLACKBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DICLORAN (DCNA, BOTRAN), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), OXYDEMETON-METHYL (METASYSTOX-R)

BLUEBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

BOYSENBERRIES - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DICLORAN (DCNA, BOTRAN), DINOCAP (KARATHANE)

BROCCOLI - FERBAM, PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON)

BRUSSELS SPROUTS - FERBAM, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CABBAGE - TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CANTALOUPE - DINOCAP (KARATHANE), METIRAM (POLYRAM), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), TETRAIODOETHYLENE*

CARROTS - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CATFISH - POTASSIUM RICINOLEATE*

CATTLE - DIOXATHION*

CAULIFLOWER - FERBAM, PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CELERY - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), DICHLONE*, FERBAM, METIRAM (POLYRAM)

CEREAL GRAINS - HYDROGEN CYANIDE*

CHERRIES - DICHLONE*, ETHION, Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

CITRUS - AMETRYN (EVIK)(GRAPEFRUIT AND ORANGES ONLY), DIALIFOR* (TORAK), DIOXATHION*, METHIOCARB (MESUROL), METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, PARATHION, PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON)(GRAPEFRUIT, LEMONS, TANGERINES AND ORANGES ONLY), SEC-BUTYLAMINE* (DECCOTANE), TEMEPHOS (ABATE), TERBACIL (SINBAR), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP)(ORANGES ONLY), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CLOVER - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DISULFOTON (DISYSTON), ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, METHIDATHION (SUPRACIDE), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

COCOA - FENAMIPHOS (NEMACUR), HYDROGEN CYANIDE*

COLLARDS - FERBAM, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CORN - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), CYPRAZINE* (OUTFOX), ETHION, FERBAM, ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, ISOFENFOS (OFTANOL), METHIOCARB (MESUROL), METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, PROMETRYN (GESAGARD)(FIELD CORN AND POPCORN ONLY), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CORN, SWEET (See SWEET CORN)

COTTON - AMMONIUM NITRATE*, DICLORAN (DCNA, BOTRAN), ETHION, METHAZOLE* (PROBE), METHYL ALPHA-ELEOSTEARATE*, NITRAPYRIN (N-SERVE), OCTHILINONE (PANCIL-T), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), SULPROFOS (BOLSTAR), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

COWPEAS - TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

CRABAPPLES - OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

CRANBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), NAPTALAM (ALANAP-L)

CUCUMBERS - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), DICHLORVOS (DDVP), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), ETHION, METIRAM (POLYRAM), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON)

CURRANTS - FERBAM, METHYL FORMATE* (DRIED ZANTE ONLY)

DATES - FERBAM

DEWBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DINOCAP (KARATHANE)

EGGPLANT - ETHION, FERBAM

FLAX - DICLOFOP-METHYL (HOELON), PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX), TRIFLURALIN (TREFLAN)

GARLIC - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CAPTAN, CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC)

GOATS - DIOXATHION*, TRICHLORFON (BOVINOX)

GOOSEBERRIES - DINOCAP (KARATHANE), FERBAM

GRAPES - DIALIFOR* (TORAK), DIOXATHION*, ETHION, ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, THIABENDAZOLE (MERTECT), ZINEB* (WINE USE FOR IMPORT)

GRASSES -CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DIURON (KARMEX)(BERMUDAGRASS ONLY), FENTHION (BAYTEX), ISOBUTYRIC ACID* (BERMUDAGRASS, BROMEGRASS, FESCUE GRASS, LESPEDEZA GRASS, ORCHARDGRASS, AND TIMOTHY GRASS ONLY), MV 678* (PRO-DRONE), PHORATE (THIMET)(BERMUDAGRASS ONLY), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRI- ALLATE (FAR-GO)(CANARYGRASS ONLY), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

HOGS - DIOXATHION*

HORSES - DIOXATHION*, TRICHLORFON (BOVINOX)

HUCKLEBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE)(listed under BLUEBERRIES)

KALE - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM

KIWIFRUIT - DICLORAN (DCNA, BOTRAN)(POSTHARVEST ONLY)

KOHLRABI - FERBAM

LEEKS - CAPTAN

LENTILS - PROPHAM* (IPC)

LETTUCE - DICHLORVOS (DDVP), PHORATE (THIMET), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

LOGANBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DINOCAP (KARATHANE)

MELONS - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), DINOCAP (KARATHANE)(HONEYDEW MELONS AND MUSKMELONS ONLY), ETHION, FERBAM

MILLET - ATRAZINE (AATREX)(PROSO ONLY)

MUSHROOMS - NALED (DIBROM)

MUSTARD - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM

NECTARINES - CLOPROP* (FRUITONE CPA, 3-CPA), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), ETHION, PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

NUTS - ETHION (CHESTNUTS AND FILBERTS ONLY), OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)(BRAZIL NUTS, BUTTERNUTS, CASHEWS, CHESTNUTS, FILBERTS, HICKORY NUTS, AND MACADAMIA NUTS ONLY), PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE)(BRAZIL NUTS, BUTTERNUTS, CASHEWS, CHESTNUTS, FILBERTS, HICKORY NUTS, MACADAMIA NUTS, PECANS, AND WALNUTS)

OATS - ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

OKRA - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS)

ONIONS - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), ETHION, FERBAM

PEACHES - CLOPROP* (FRUITONE CPA, 3-CPA), DICHLONE*, DINOCAP (KARATHANE), ETHION, METHIOCARB (MESUROL), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP), TRIADIMEFON (BAYLETON), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

PEANUTS - CARBOFURAN (FURADAN), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM, METIRAM (POLYRAM), NAPTALAM (ALANAP-L), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX) PEARS - AMMONIUM SULFAMATE (AMMATE), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), DIOXATHION*, ETHION, OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

PEAS - BUTRALIN (AMEX)(SOUTHERN PEAS ONLY), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC)(DRY & SUCCULENT PEAS ONLY), CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), OXYDEMETON-METHYL (METASYSTOX-R), PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), PROPHAM* (IPC)

PECANS - DIALIFOR* (TORAK), ETHION, METIRAM (POLYRAM), OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

PEPPERS - AMMONIUM NITRATE*, ETHION, FERBAM, PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

PIMENTOS - CAPTAN, ETHION

PINEAPPLES - ATRAZINE (AATREX), BETA-NAPHTHOXYACETIC ACID*, CLOPROP* (FRUITONE CPA, 3-CPA)

PISTACHIOS - OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

PLUMS - DICHLONE*, ETHION, FERBAM, TRIADIMEFON (BAYLETON), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

PONDS, CATFISH (See CATFISH)

POTATOES - AMETRYN (EVIK), AMMONIUM NITRATE*, ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), METHIDATHION (SUPRACIDE), OXYDEMETON-METHYL (METASYSTOX-R), PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), TETRAETHYL PYROPHOSPHATE* (TEPP)

POTATOES, SWEET (See SWEET POTATOES)

PRUNES - DICHLONE*, ETHION, FERBAM, PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE), TRIADIMEFON (BAYLETON), Z,Z-ODDA* (NOMATE BORER-GARD)

PUMPKINS - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), FERBAM, PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

QUINCES - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DIOXATHION*, FERBAM, OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

RADISHES - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), DICHLORVOS (DDVP), FERBAM

RAISINS - METHYL FORMATE*, DIALIFOR* (TORAK), PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE)

RAPE - TRIFLURALIN (TREFLAN) RASPBERRIES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DICLORAN (DCNA, BOTRAN), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), OXYDEMETON-METHYL (METASYSTOX-R)

RHUBARB - MANEB

RICE - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), FENTHION (BAYTEX), METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, NALED (DIBROM), OXADIAZON (RONSTAR), PHORATE (THIMET)

RUTABAGAS - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM

RYE - METHYLENE CHLORIDE*

SAFFLOWER - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

SHALLOTS - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CAPTAN

SHEEP - DIOXATHION*, TRICHLORFON (BOVINOX)

SORGHUM - AMMONIUM NITRATE*, ETHION, ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, METHYLENE CHLORIDE*

SOYBEANS - BUTRALIN (AMEX), CLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DICLOFOP-METHYL (HOELON), ETHOPROP (MOCAP), FENAMIPHOS (NEMACUR), MEFLUIDIDE (EMBARK), NAPTALAM (ALANAP-L), SULPROFOS (BOLSTAR), TRIIODOBENZOIC ACID* (TIBA)

SPINACH - FERBAM, MANEB, PROPHAM* (IPC)

SQUASH - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE)(SUMMER & WINTER SQUASH), DINOCAP (KARATHANE)(SUMMER & WINTER SQUASH), ETHION (SUMMER SQUASH ONLY), FERBAM (SUMMER SQUASH ONLY)

STONE FRUIT - DIOXATHION*, OXADIAZON (RONSTAR)

STRAWBERRIES - ACETALDEHYDE*, ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), DICHLONE*, ETHION, FERBAM, NITRAPYRIN (N-SERVE), SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE* (DHA)

SUGAR BEETS - CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), METIRAM (POLYRAM), PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), PROPHAM* (IPC), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

SUGARCANE - FLUOMETURON (METURON), PARATHION, PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), SIMAZINE (PRINCEP)(final on 12/31/2000)

SWEET CORN - CYPRAZINE* (OUTFOX), ISOFENFOS (OFTANOL), METHIOCARB (MESUROL), METIRAM (POLYRAM), PROMETRYN (CAPAROL), PROPACHLOR (RAMROD), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX) SWEET POTATOES - AMMONIUM NITRATE*

TARO - CAPTAN

TEA - PHOSALONE* (ZOLONE)

TOMATOES - ANILAZINE* (DYRENE), CHLORPROPHAM (CIPC), DICHLONE*, ETHION, METIRAM (POLYRAM), PHORATE (THIMET), PHOSMET (IMIDAN), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON), TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

TREFOIL, BIRDSFOOT - TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

TURNIPS - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS), FERBAM

WALNUTS - DIOXATHION*, ETHION, OXADIAZON (RONSTAR), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON)

WATERMELONS - BUTRALIN (AMEX), DINOCAP (KARATHANE), PHOSPHAMIDON* (DIMECRON)

WHEAT - ISOBUTYRIC ACID*, METHYLENE CHLORIDE*, TRICHLORFON (DYLOX)

YOUNGBERRIES - CRYOLITE (FLUORINE COMPOUNDS)

  SOURCES

Federal Register 6357062-57067 10/26/98 (asterisk following chemicals) Federal Register 6357067-57077 10/26/98 Personal communication with Dr. Joseph Nevola, EPA, Special Review Branch

RNN 10/27/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated October 27, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains notices of EPA's intent to publish its Registration Division's work plan for FY99, and several proposed tolerance revocations.  The EPA is proposing to revoke 29 tolerances, but realizes that existing stocks of some of these pesticides may cause them to reconsider revocation.  If you want to stop one of the proposed tolerance revocations, submit a comment to EPA.

The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN) has started a discussion group on the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). You can enter the NPTN internet site and join the discussion group at http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/. The NPTN primarily functions as a toll-free telephone service that provides a variety of impartial information about pesticides to anyone in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  You can call their toll-free line at 1-800-858-7378 from 930 AM to 730 PM eastern standard time.

The phase out period for methyl bromide was extended by Congress and signed into law by the President.  Detail of the phase out are listed.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest.  Questions and comments may be directed to your State Liaison Representative (on our webpage) for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) or Kent Smith at 202-720-3186, fax 202-720-3191, email ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for OPMP and PIAP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/.

EPA PROPOSES TO PUBLISH THE REGISTRATION DIVISION'S 1999 WORKPLAN

EPA is soliciting comments on its proposal to publish the fiscal year 1999 (FY99) workplan for the Registration Division (RD).  The EPA proposes to increase the transparency of the registration process by publishing the RD's proposed FY99 workplan.

A transparent registration workplan would allow opportunities for harmonization of registration work with other pesticide regulatory agencies.  EPA also believes that publishing this workplan would provide important information to growers, crop consultants, researchers, states, and the general public.  The EPA would like to know of any other benefits or disadvantages to publishing its workplan.

For additional information contact
Mr. Rick Keigwin
EPA, Registration Division  
Phone 703-305-6920
keigwin.richard@epamail.epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355387 10/15/98

DICHLOBENIL (CASORON) TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS

EPA proposes to revoke the tolerances for ALMOND hulls, AVOCADOS, CITRUS, FIGS, and MANGOES listed in 40 CFR 180.231 because no registered dichlobenil use exists on these crops.  The tolerance for NUTS is proposed for revocation to be replaced by a tolerance for FILBERTS because the use of dichlobenil on all other nuts has been canceled.  Other tolerances may be raised or lowered but not removed.  These regulatory actions are part of EPA's tolerance reassessment program required under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

EPA will not revoke any tolerance proposed for revocation if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under FQPA.

Dichlobenil is a selective herbicide used on APPLES, BLACKBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHERRIES, CRANBERRIES, DICHONDRA, FILBERTS, GRAPES, HYBRID POPLAR-COTTONWOOD, ORNAMENTALS, PEARS, and RASPBERRIES. It is manufactured by Uniroyal Chemical Company.

Printed copies of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for this pesticide may be obtained from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.  Electronic copies are or will be located on the EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/REDs.

Comments should be sent to EPA's Public Records Branch, referring to OPP-300734, by mail or email by 12/15/98.

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355565  10/16/98

METRIBUZIN (SENCOR) TOLERANCE REVOCATION

EPA proposes to revoke the tolerance for LENTIL vine hay that is listed in 40 CFR 180.332 because LENTIL vine hay is no longer considered a significant livestock feed commodity; therefore, a tolerance is not necessary.  Modifications to other existing tolerances are planned but no other revocations are expected.  These regulatory actions are part of EPA's tolerance reassessment program required under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

EPA will not revoke any tolerance proposed for revocation if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under FQPA.

Metribuzin is an herbicide used to control broadleaf and grassy weed species on a wide range of crop and non-crop sites, including ALFALFA, ASPARAGUS, BARLEY, CARROTS, CORN, GARBANZO BEANS, LENTILS, PEAS, POTATOES, SOYBEANS, SUGARCANE, TOMATOES, WHEAT, fallow land, and TURFGRASSES. It is manufactured by Bayer Corporation.

Printed copies of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for this pesticide may be obtained from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.  Electronic copies are or will be located on the EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/REDs.

Comments should be sent to EPA's Public Records Branch, referring to OPP-300734, by mail or email by 12/15/98.

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355565  10/16/98

PENDIMETHALIN (PROWL) TOLERANCE REVOCATION

EPA proposes to revoke the tolerance for pendimethalin on PEANUT forage listed under 40 CFR 180.361 because it is no longer considered a significant livestock feed commodity; therefore, a tolerance is not necessary.  Other modifications to existing tolerances are planned but no other revocations are expected.  These regulatory actions are part of EPA's tolerance reassessment program required under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). 

EPA will not revoke any tolerance proposed for revocation if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under FQPA. 

Pendimethalin is a selective herbicide used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds on ALFALFA, ALMONDS, APPLES, APRICOTS, BEANS, CARROTS, CHERRIES, CITRUS, CORN, COTTON, FIGS, GARLIC, GRAPES, NECTARINES, OLIVES, ORNAMENTALS, ONIONS, PEACHES, PEANUTS, PEARS, PEAS, PECANS, PISTACHIO NUTS, PLUMS, POTATOES, PRUNES, RICE, SORGHUM, SOYBEANS, SUGARCANE, SUNFLOWERS, TOBACCO, and WALNUTS.  It is manufactured by American Cyanamid Corporation. 

Printed copies of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for this pesticide may be obtained from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.  Electronic copies are or will be located on the EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/REDs.

Comments should be sent to EPA's Public Records Branch, referring to OPP-300734, by mail or email by 12/15/98.

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355565  10/16/98

SULPROFOS (BOLSTAR) TOLERANCE REVOCATION

EPA proposes to revoke the only tolerance for sulprofos which is on COTTONSEED oil listed under 40 CFR 185.3000 because the registrant voluntarily canceled its registered use.  These regulatory actions are part of EPA's tolerance reassessment program required under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). 

EPA will not revoke any tolerance proposed for revocation if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under FQPA. 

Sulprofos was once used on COTTON.  It was manufactured by Bayer Corporation.

Printed copies of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for this pesticide may be obtained from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.  Electronic copies are or will be located on the EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/REDs.

Comments should be sent to EPA's Public Records Branch, referring to OPP-300734, by mail or email by 12/15/98.

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355565  10/16/98

TERBACIL (SINBAR) TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS

EPA proposes to revoke the tolerances for terbacil on PEARS, PECANS, and SAINFOIN forage and hay listed in 40 CFR 180.209 because no registered uses exist for terbacil on these sites.  They are also proposing to revoke all the livestock tolerances (fat, meat, and meat byproducts of CATTLE, GOATS, HOGS, HORSES, and SHEEP; and milk fat) because there is no reasonable expectation of finite terbacil residues in animal commodities since available data support the establishment of lower ALFALFA tolerances.  Other modifications to existing tolerances are planned but no other revocations are expected.   These regulatory actions are part of EPA's tolerance reassessment program required under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

EPA will not revoke any tolerance proposed for revocation if any person demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated, and if retention of the tolerance will meet the tolerance standard established under FQPA.

Terbacil is an herbicide used ALFALFA, APPLES, ASPARAGUS, BLUEBERRIES, CANEBERRIES, MINT, PEACHES, POPLAR HYBRIDS, SUGARCANE and TURFGRASS seed crops.  It is manufactured by Dupont.

Printed copies of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for this pesticide may be obtained from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.  Electronic copies are or will be located on the EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/REDs.

Comments should be sent to EPA's Public Records Branch, referring to OPP-300734, by mail or email by 12/15/98.

For additional information contact
Dr. Joseph Nevola
EPA, Special Review Branch
Phone 703-308-8037
nevola.joseph@epa.gov

Submit comments to
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs (7502C)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
oppt.ncic@epa.gov

Source  Federal Register 6355565  10/16/98

METHYL BROMIDE UPDATE

Due to recent legislative actions by the U.S. Congress, the methyl bromide phase out in the U.S. has been delayed to match the time frames in the Montreal Protocol.  Methyl bromide production and importation will be reduced from 1991 levels as follows:

25% reduction in 1999
50% reduction in 2001
70% reduction in 2003
100% reduction in 2005
Preshipment and quarantine uses exempt
Critical agricultural uses allocated after 2005

Congress attached an amendment to the Fiscal Year 1999 (FY99) Appropriations bill that makes specific changes to the Clean Air Act. The amendment will require that the EPA make regulatory changes to the U.S. phase out of methyl bromide.  These changes will essentially "harmonize" the U.S. phaseout of methyl bromide with the Montreal Protocol phaseout schedule for developed countries. This schedule, agreed to by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in 1997, involves graduated reductions in methyl bromide consumption (production plus imports minus exports based on 1991 levels) and a 2005 phase out. The Montreal Protocol phase out will begin in 1999 with a 25% reduction, a 50% reduction in 2001 and a 70% reduction in 2003. In addition to these reductions in methyl bromide consumption, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol exempted from any control measures quarantine and pre-shipment uses of methyl bromide.

For more information see  http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr/harmoniz.htm

RNN 10/5/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated October 5, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains notices of EPA requests for comments concerning seven organophosphate pesticides and several rodenticides.

The Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) has recently completed assessments on the importance of pesticides and other pest management practices in U.S. tomato and strawberry production. To order complimentary copies of either or both of these publications contact:

For TOMATOES:

Dr. Mike Davis
Department of Plant Pathology
University of California
1 Sheilds Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
phone 530-752-0303
fax 530-752-5674
email rmdavis@ucdavis.edu

For STRAWBERRIES:

Dr. Ken Sorensen
Department of Entomology
North Carolina State University
Box 7626
Raleigh, NC 27695
phone 919-515-1662
email kenneth_sorensen@ncsu.edu

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. Questions and comments may be directed to your State Liaison Representative (on our web page) for the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (PIAP) or Kent Smith at 202-720-3186, fax 202-720-3191, email ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for OPMP and PIAP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/usdanapiap/.

PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENTS ON SEVEN ADDITIONAL ORGANOPHOSPHATES

EPA is seeking public comment on the preliminary risk assessments it has conducted on seven organophosphate pesticides. They are ethoprop (Mocap), tribufos (DEF 6), sulfotep (Bladafum), temephos (Abate), dimethoate, cadusafos (Rugby) and fenthion (Baytex). EPA sought comment on nine other organophosphate pesticides previously (see last RNN on 9/4/98). They are preparing to issue and seek comment on the risk assessments they are currently developing for the remaining 24 organophosphates.

EPA is seeking comment on these pesticides as part of a review required under the Food Quality Protection Act. They are seeking to strengthen stakeholder involvement and advance the openness, transparency and science underpinning its review of the organophosphates and other pesticides.

To obtain a copy of any of the preliminary risk assessments and related documents, call 703-305-5805. The Docket staff will inform callers as to which of the documents can be sent directly from the docket and which need to be requested from the Freedom of Information Act Office due to their bulk. These assessments also can be viewed and downloaded from the EPA website at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op.

Written comments on these assessments must be submitted by 11/9/98. They may be electronically submitted as an ASCII file to: opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov.

For further information contact:
Ms. Karen Angulo
EPA, Special Review Branch
phone 703-308-8004
email angulo.karen@epa.gov

Sources: Federal Register 63:48213 9/9/98
EPA Press Release R-118 9/11/98

RODENTICIDE STAKEHOLDER EVALUATION AND MEETINGS

EPA has announced the availability of reregistration eligibility documents (RED) for several rodenticides (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, bromethalin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone and its sodium salt, pival and its sodium salt, and zinc phosphide). They are interested in having the documents reviewed, holding meetings with stakeholders, and obtaining State incident data involving non-target and secondary poisoning to wildlife from rodenticides.

The data bases to support the reregistration of each of these rodenticides is substantially complete, except for pival and its sodium salts. Due to this lack of data, pival and its sodium salts are ineligible for reregistration.

The stakeholder meetings are expected to be held in November or December of 1998 in Washington, DC. The stakeholder process will also discuss issues that may pertain to other rodenticide products. Anyone interested in serving on the stakeholder panel should notify one of the contacts below by 10/13/98.

To request a copy of any of the RED documents, or a specific RED fact Sheet, contact the OPP Pesticide Docket at (703) 305-5805. Electronic copies of the REDs and RED fact sheets can also be downloaded from the REDs home page at http://www.epa.gov/REDs. Electronic comments can be sent directly to the USEPA at opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov by 11/10/98.

Technical questions concerning zinc phosphide should be directed to: Ms. Susan Jennings, EPA, 703-308-7130, jennings.susan@epamail.epa.gov.

For technical questions concerning other rodenticides mentioned contact: Mr. Dennis Deziel, EPA, 703308-8173, deziel.dennis@epamail.epa.gov.

Source: Federal Register 63:48729 9/11/98

The Reregistration Notification Network is a cooperative effort of USDA-NAPIAP, Interregional Project No. 4 (IR-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the American Crop Protection Association (ACPA).

RNN 9/4/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated September 4, 1998. This issue of the RNN describes the method by which you can view and comment on the preliminary risk assessments of nine organophosphate pesticides. Also, it announces the availability of funding for research, conferences, and research support through the NRI program.

Starting with this issue of the RNN, we will give you notification of new pesticide active ingredients that are registered with the EPA. We will also be looking at pesticide active ingredients that have been registered since FQPA was enacted in August of 1996. We hope that this new service will help you to investigate potential alternatives to your current use practices thereby strengthening agricultural pest management in your area.

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has recently published a report on pest management practices from a 1997 fall survey. The report includes the percent of acres and farms that used selected management practices to control crop pests. Crops and crop categories surveyed include barley, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa hay, other hay, fruits and nuts, vegetables, crop pasture, and all other crops. The report is available free of charge on the NASS home page at http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select "Publications" on the home page, then "Reports calendar", then August 25, 1998 and click on "Pest Management Practices." A paper copy is available for $2.00 by contacting the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 from 7:30 to 4:00 ET.

The final Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) meeting is scheduled for September 15-16, 1998. The meeting site is the Ramada Hotel & Exhibition Center in New Carrollton, Maryland on 8500 Annapolis Road. It can be reached by taking the Washington Metro Orange Line to the Maryland end of the line at New Carrollton. There will be a shuttle service to take you to the meeting site. The meeting is expected to start at 9:30 AM on the 15th. Any change in the schedule will be announced here.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticides, impending pesticide use cancellations, pesticide tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. We recommend that you express any concerns or questions you have to the contact mentioned below or to your State Liaison Representative (on our web page) for the National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (NAPIAP). If you wish to contact us at USDA, our phone number is 202-720-3186, our fax number is 202-720-3191, and our E-mail address is ksmith@ars.usda.gov, or consult our home page for NAPIAP and OPMP at http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/opmppiap/.

PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR NINE ORGANOPHOSPHATES

EPA is seeking public comment on the preliminary risk assessments it has conducted for nine organophosphate pesticides. These assessments may be refined in the future if additional data become available on health and environmental effects, use and usage, or other relevant information on these pesticides. The nine pesticides are azinphos-methyl (Guthion), bensulide (Prefar 4-E), ethion (Ethion 4 Miscible), fenamiphos (Nemacur), isofenphos (Nemacur-O), naled (Dibrom), phorate (Thimet), profenofos (Curacron), and terbufos (Counter).

The EPA is currently reviewing all the organophosphates under a new, stringent set of risk criteria established by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). They will issue and seek comment on the risk assessments they are currently developing for an additional 31 organophosphates.

The nine assessments may be viewed or copied from the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/. Many of the files on the website are in Acrobat reader in PDF format. Or, you may obtain a hard copy of the individual assessments or a summary of them by calling 703-305-5805. Be forewarned that the first 100 pages of hard copy are free, but then it will cost you 15 cents a page.

The release of these preliminary risk assessments is one step USDA and EPA are taking to make FQPA implementation a more transparent process with broad public input and participation.

For further information contact:
Ms. Karen Angulo
EPA, Special Review Branch
703-308-8004
angulo.karen@epa.gov

Sources: Federal Register 63:43175 8/12/98; EPA Press Release R-109 8/14/98; EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE (NRI)

Applications are invited for competitive grant awards in agricultural, forest, and related environmental sciences under the National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of USDA.

The project types for which proposals are solicited include conventional projects (standard research grants or conferences) or agricultural research enhancement awards. Agricultural research enhancement awards are postdoctoral fellowships, new investigator awards and strengthening awards. See the Federal Register Notice listed below for more details.

The funding categories for Funding Year 1999 are as follows (funding in each category is rounded in millions of dollars): Natural Resources and the Environment ($16.3M); Nutrition, Food Quality, and Health ($7.4M); Plant Systems ($34.4M); Animal Systems ($22.4M); Markets, Trade, and Policy ($3.6M); and New Products and Processes ($6.3M).

A complete description of this program and an application kit are available on the NRI home page at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nri. Paper copies of these materials may be obtained by sending an e-mail with your name, complete mailing address, phone number, and materials that you are requesting to psb@csrees.usda.gov. Or, you can call the Proposal Services Unit of CSREES at 202-401-5048. Applications to the program may be made by Universities, Colleges, State Experiment Stations, Federal Agencies, corporations, private organizations, or individuals. Non-United States organizations will not be considered for support.

Deadlines for submission are variable depending on the program area. One of the first which includes "Weed Biology and Management" is on 11/15/98. A later deadline for "Plant Pathology", "Entomology and Nematology", and "Biologically Based Pest Management" is on 1/15/99.

For more questions regarding NRI documents or programs contact:
USDA/CSREES/NRI
202-401-5022
nricgp@csrees.usda.gov

Source: Federal Register 63:46109 8/28/98

RECENTLY REGISTERED PESTICIDE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

In order to keep you better informed about newly registered active ingredients, we plan to publicize them here when they are registered. We will also be reviewing some of the recently registered active ingredients that may serve as alternatives to pesticides you are currently using that could be affected by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

PESTICIDE: Burkholderia cepacia Wisconsin J82 (Blue Circle)
REGISTERED: December 1996, EPA Reg. No. 63950-6,7. Registered as a biopesticide

PESTS MANAGED: damping-off (Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia)

CROPS LABELED: beans, cabbage, corn, field crops, fruit trees, fruiting vegetables, nut trees, peas, root vegetables, seed beds, small grains, soybeans, spices, squash, tomatoes, turf, vegetable crops, and vine fruits

SOURCE: Mr. Jerry Reichling, Stine Microbial Products, phone 515-677-2605, fax 515-677-2716

PESTICIDE: chitosan (Greenleaf Plant Defense Booster)
REGISTERED: November 1997, EPA Reg. No. 70464-1. Registered as a biopesticide

PESTS MANAGED: downy mildew, powdery mildew, and gray mold

CROPS LABELED: cucumbers, grapes, strawberries

SOURCE: Mr. Jerry R. Zinn, Safe Science, Inc., phone 617-422-0674, fax 617-422-0675, web http://www.safesci.com

The Reregistration Notification Network is a cooperative effort of USDA-NAPIAP, Interregional Project No. 4 (IR-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the American Crop Protection Association (ACPA).

RNN 7/10/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated July 10, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains a description of the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) which was formed in response to Vice President Gore's request that EPA and USDA work more closely together and obtain advice from experts outside the federal government on the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). USDA Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger and EPA Deputy Administrator Fred Hansen are co-chairing the TRAC committee.

We would like to remind you that notices of the RNN are available to all by fax or email. To receive or discontinue fax copies, you will have to notify this office. To receive or discontinue email copies simply send an email message to our listserver Majordomo@ars-grin.gov, leave the subject line blank, and in the text write: subscribe rnn (to receive copies) or unsubscribe rnn (to discontinue copies).

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. We recommend that you express any concerns or questions you have to the contact mentioned below or to your NAPIAP State Liaison Representative. If you wish to contact us at USDA, our phone number is 202-720-3186, our fax number is 202-720-3191, and our email address is ksmith@ars.usda.gov.

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS TO ADVISE EPA AND USDA ON IMPLEMENTATION OF FQPA

The EPA-USDA Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) has been established as a subcommittee under the auspices of the EPA National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). The TRAC is in response to Vice President Gore's request for EPA and USDA to work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

The TRAC is being asked to provide policy guidance on sound science, ways to increase transparency in decision-making, strategies for a reasonable transition for agriculture, and ways to enhance consultations with stakeholders, as pesticide tolerances are reassessed, including those for organophosphates (OPs). In this way, TRAC is expected to help in developing the framework for implementation of FQPA by increasing public participation.

USDA Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger is co-chairing the TRAC with EPA Deputy Administrator Fred Hansen. The TRAC is composed of experts that include farmers, environmentalists, public health officials, pediatric experts, pesticide companies, food processors and distributors, public interest groups, academicians, and tribal, State, and local governments.

Two TRAC meetings have already been held. The last meeting was on June 22 & 23, 1998 in Washington, DC. The third TRAC meeting is scheduled for next week, July 13 & 14, 1998, at the Ronald Reagan Building (International Trade Center), 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The next meeting of TRAC is scheduled for July 27 & 28, 1998. The TRAC meetings are open to the public, and outside statements by observers are welcome.

Information about the TRAC and their meetings can be obtained by consulting the TRAC Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac and/or the TRAC docket at EPA/OPP, Crystal Mall #2, Room 101, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 703-305-5805.

For additional information contact:
Ms. Margie Fehrenbach
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
Phone 703-305-7090
fehrenbach.margie@epamail.epa.gov

- or -

Ms. Linda Murray
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
703-305-7090
murray.linda@epamail.epa.gov

Sources:
Memo from Vice President Gore to USDA Secretary Glickman and Administrator Browner, 4/8/98, RNN 8:2   4/20/98
Memo from USDA Secretary Glickman and EPA Administrator Browner to Vice President Gore, 4/10/98, RNN 8:3   4/21/98
Memo from USDA Secretary Glickman to Vice President Gore, 4/29/98, RNN 8:4   5/22/98

Federal Register 63:31768 6/10/98

RNN 6/19/98

We encourage you to consider submitting proposals to these programs to address problems you may know of in your specific area. Partnerships between the public and private sectors may be especially fruitful. Please note that the deadline for submission of proposals is only about a month, July 20 for PMAP and August 3 for Food Safety.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. We recommend that you express any concerns or questions you have to the contact mentioned below or to your NAPIAP State Liaison Representative. If you wish to contact us at USDA, phone number is 202-720-3186, the fax number is 202-720-3191, and our E-mail address is ksmith@ars.usda.gov.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA PEST MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (PMAP)

A request for proposals (RFP) for the Pest Management Alternatives Program was published in the Federal Register on June 18, 1998, under the title of "Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research: Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Issues for Fiscal Year 1998; Request for Proposals." (see citation below)

The Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP) was established to support the development and implementation of pest management alternatives when regulatory action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or voluntary cancellation by the registrant results in the unavailability of certain agricultural pesticides or pesticide uses.

The goals of this program are to:

1. Develop commodity profiles that summarize production practices, pesticide use/usage data, and available pest management alternatives for pesticides considered a high priority for tolerance reassessment under FQPA; and
2. Develop and demonstrate alternatives and possible mitigation strategies to ensure that producers have reliable methods for managing pests.

Proposals may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists affiliated with non-United States organizations are not eligible for funding nor are scientists who are directly or indirectly engaged in the registration of pesticides for profit; however, their collaboration with funded projects is encouraged.

You can access the RFP on the CSREES IPM Web site at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/ipm, click on "Funding," then "Pest Management Alternatives Research Grants Program."

Request hard copies of the RFP from: Proposal Services Unit USDA/CSREES Mail Stop 2245 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-2245 (202) 401-5048 psb@csrees.usda.gov

For more information contact: Michael Fitzner USDA, CSREES 202-401-4939 mfitzner@csrees.usda.gov

Note that the deadline for submission of proposals is JULY 20, 1998.
Source: Federal Register 63:33481   6/18/98

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA FOOD SAFETY RESEARCH

Another request for proposals was published in the Federal Register on June 18, 1998, concerning Food Safety Research under the title of "Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research, Fiscal Year 1998 Request." (see citation below)

The purpose of the program is to conduct research to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States. Furthermore, this grant program is designed to support problem-solving food safety research that addresses National emerging issues in food safety.

Proposals are encouraged that address:

1. developing safe and efficacious techniques to enhance or ensure safety of fresh and minimally processed imported and domestic fruits and vegetables;
2. developing means to prevent infection and cross-contamination of fresh and minimally processed imported and domestic fruits and vegetables by microbial pathogens during harvesting, handling, transportation, and distribution;
3. developing procedures for sampling fresh and minimally processed imported and domestic fruits and vegetables to accurately detect the presence of microbial pathogens.

Encouragement is also given for proposals which address minor fruit and vegetable crops. Proposals should describe how the research will be transferred for implementation. Thus, partnerships are encouraged with potential users of the new practices or technologies.

Proposals may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving benefits under this program.

You can access the RFP on the CSREES Food Safety Web site at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/pas/foodsafety.htm.

Request hard copies of the RFP from: Proposal Services Unit USDA/CSREES Mail Stop 2245 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-2245 (202) 401-5048 psb@csrees.usda.gov

For additional information contact: Dr. Anne Bertinuson USDA, CSREES Phone 202-401-6825 abertinuson@csrees.usda.gov

Note that the deadline for submission of proposals is AUGUST 3, 1998.

RNN 5/22/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated May 22, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains the follow-up response to Vice President Al Gore by USDA Secretary Dan Glickman concerning the USDA's actions and plans to work with EPA and the public on implementation of the FQPA. The initial memo on April 8 by the Vice President and the immediate response on April 10 by USDA and EPA were published here in issues 2 and 3 of the RNN.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. We recommend that you express any concerns or questions you have to the contact mentioned below or to your NAPIAP State Liaison Representative. If you wish to contact us at USDA, our phone number is 202-720-3186, our fax number is 202-720-3191, and our E-mail address is ksmith@ars.usda.gov

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

April 29, 1998

MEMORANDUM FROM SECRETARY DAN GLICKMAN (Signed)
TO: The Vice President
SUBJECT: Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Implementation

As a follow-up to the memorandum Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Administrator Carol Browner and I sent you April 10, 1998, I want to provide you the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) actions and plans to work with EPA and the public on implementation of the FQPA.

I share your commitment to providing our Nation's farmers with the time, technical assistance, and support they need to transition to new, safer pest management systems. American agriculture can respond to the challenges of the FQPA by developing and delivering safer pest management technology to ensure that Americans in the 21st Century will continue to have the safest food supply in the world.

Realizing the challenges that lie ahead regarding FQPA implementation, the Department has established a new Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP), to coordinate USDA's response to FQPA issues. This Office will work closely with EPA to ensure that FQPA implementation decisions are based on sound science, transparency, consultation with the public, and a reasonable implementation transition period for agriculture. Funding is included in the President's Fiscal Year 1999 Budget to continue OPMP, and an additional $1.5 million is requested to strengthen its activities.

OPMP is working with other USDA agencies, land grant institutions, farmers, and chemical producers to identify crops most vulnerable to potential use cancellations under FQPA. Profiles will identify major pests, their current controls, and alternative pest management strategies, forming the basis for crop-specific transition strategies.

For some crop-pest combinations, transition to new pest management tools may be possible in a short period of time. However, in many cases, the transition will take several years and require additional research, applicator education and training, and a commitment from EPA to issue timely regulatory decisions on new and alternative pesticide products. USDA will work closely with EPA to reduce barriers to the development, testing, and registration of new pest management products.

Over the past 18 months, several USDA programs have been evaluated and adjusted to meet the new requirements of FQPA. In response to your April 8 memorandum, we are again reviewing operating plans and budgets devoted to developing data to support EPA's risk assessment process, expediting new product approvals, and expanding integrated pest management strategies.

Recent developments include:

• New focus for USDA's Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP): PMAP carries out research to develop and implement new technologies when regulatory action limits the availability of key pest management chemicals. Research priorities supported by PMAP will be primarily focused on searching for near-term solutions. To be more responsive to agriculture's needs, the program will be managed in coordination with EPA's tolerance review schedule and research efforts being carried out by farmer groups. A request for proposals for fiscal year 1998 funds has been redrafted to address the most immediate FQPA needs and will be published by the end of June. In order to support crop-specific transition strategies adequately, the President's Fiscal Year 1999 Budget request includes an additional $2.577 million for PMAP to provide a total of $4.2 million.
• Retooled and expanded pesticide use surveys: USDA surveys have been retooled and expanded to ensure more refined pesticide use data will be used in the regulatory decision-making process. USDA is expanding its data collection efforts to include post-harvest pesticide use and a renewed effort to collect data on the rate and level of adoption of IPM practices nationwide.
• Pesticide Data Program (PDP) focus on children's foods: PDP gathers pesticide residue data, and since 1997 there has been a greater focus on foods consumed by children to improve the accuracy and quality of EPA's dietary risk assessments. The President's Fiscal Year 1999 Budget request includes additional funding for the development of a quick response capability to fill data gaps on critical crops. USDA is also considering the expansion of the routine pesticide tolerance enforcement program to include measurement of pesticide residues in meat and eggs.
• Supplemental food consumption survey: USDA is currently conducting a supplemental survey of children's food consumption patterns. Based on EPA's request, the supplemental survey will include nearly 5,000 additional children and add increased statistical confidence to EPA's dietary risk assessments for infants and children that are a new requirement under FQPA.
• New priorities for Interregional Research Project #4 (IR-4) Program: The IR-4 program assists EPA in the registration of chemical and biological pesticides for minor crops. The program's new priorities will focus efforts on new safer alternatives to pesticides that have been identified by EPA as the highest risk category.
• Fiscal Year 1999 Budget request to expand USDA's IPM Initiative: The IPM initiative, launched in 1993 as one facet of a government-wide response to concerns about pesticide residues and the safety of the U.S. food supply, needs to be updated and expanded to help meet emerging needs for cost-effective and safer pest management strategies that are being driven by the 1996 enactment of FQPA. The President's Fiscal Year 1999 Budget request includes approximately $271 million for integrated pest management and related programs; a $34 million increase over fiscal year 1997 and $5 million over fiscal year 1998.

As needs develop during FQPA implementation, USDA will work closely with farmers, land grant institutions, and EPA to make necessary adjustments in current research and education programs and budget recommendations for fiscal year 2000 to help meet the requirements of FQPA.

I believe these actions and plans, coupled with the Department's long-standing research program to develop and deploy integrated and environmentally sound pest management strategies, will help USDA meet the goals set out in your memorandum. I will keep you informed of the Department's progress on FQPA implementation.

RNN 4/20/98

Enclosed is the latest notice of the Reregistration Notification Network (RNN) dated April 20, 1998. This issue of the RNN contains a memorandum by Vice President Al Gore to USDA Secretary Dan Glickman and EPA Administrator Carol Browner which clarifies the Administration's perspective on implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). In response to this memo, EPA and USDA committed to several actions including a senior level USDA-EPA working group and a new Advisory Committee to be co-chaired by USDA Deputy Secretary Rominger and EPA Deputy Administrator Hansen.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has recently released the "Pesticide Data Program: Annual Summary Calendar Year 1996". The USEPA uses this information to access dietary exposure to pesticide residues. Copies of this 100-page publication can be obtained by calling the AMS at 703-330-2300 or by faxing your request to 703-369-0678.

Another publication of note is EPA's "Status of Chemicals in Special Review". This 54-page publication contains a wealth of knowledge about pesticides that have been or currently are under regulatory review in the Special Review process. This document can be accessed electronically on EPA's web site at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. Printed copies are available from the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information at 800-490-9198 or from the National Technical Information Service at 703-487-4650.

The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of recent or impending pest management actions, pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and similar items. If you wish to contact us at USDA, our phone number is 202-720-3186, our fax number is 202-720-3191, and our e-mail address is ksmith@ars.usda.gov.

Clarification of the Administration's perspective on implementation of FQPA

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT - WASHINGTON

April 8, 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY DANIEL R. GLICKMAN
ADMINISTRATOR CAROL M. BROWNER

FROM: THE VICE PRESIDENT

SUBJECT: FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION

In the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, the Administration joined with the bipartisan leadership of the Congress and a broad array of agricultural, industry, and public interest constituencies to strengthen protection for all Americans from potential risks associated with the food they eat. The purpose of this memorandum is to reaffirm our commitments under the Act and to clarify how we plan to fulfill them.

The landmark protections established by this law, and in particular the new scrutiny given to potential risks to children, will ensure that Americans in the 21st century will have the safest food supply in the world. These protections can be implemented while we maintain our plentiful and affordable food supply and continue the significant increase in the net trade balance favoring United States agricultural production that we have achieved in President Clinton's Administration.

The FQPA is an important achievement in protecting public health, and particularly in addressing potential health risks to children. As President Clinton said at the time of signing the FQPA into law, this Act puts the safety of our children first. The broad consensus supporting the FQPA's new protection for our families illustrates the fundamental premise of the law's sponsors and President Clinton's policies that we can achieve higher standards of protection, especially for children, while preserving the strengths of our Nation's agriculture and its farm communities.

Implementation of the FQPA's stronger standards presents complex scientific and regulatory issues. As with any major change in the law and the regulatory process, numerous constituencies are concerned about the manner in which the new law will be implemented. There is broad consensus supporting the strengthened protection of the public that Congress mandated in this new law. There are corresponding concerns about potential uncertainty for those whose livelihood and practices are potentially affected as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implements the new law.

Accordingly, on behalf of President Clinton and in accordance with my responsibility for implementation of Executive Order 12866 (Sep. 30, 1993), I am requesting that the EPA Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture work together to ensure that implementation of the paramount public health goals of the new law is informed by a sound regulatory approach, by the expertise of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), by appropriate input from affected members of the public, and by due regard for the needs of our Nation's agricultural producers.

Implementation Principles

In accordance with the provisions and policies of the FQPA and sound regulatory practice, EPA should work in close consultation with USDA, and USDA should devote sufficient resources to the FQPA regulatory process, to ensure that implementation of the law comports with the following four principles.

Sound Science in Protecting Public Health

Consistent with the provisions of the FQPA, EPA and USDA should work together to ensure that all FQPA decisions follow the Clinton Administration's principles for sound regulation.

1. Regulatory decisions should be based on the best science and data that are available.
2. EPA should continue to seek peer review and public review of its methods and approaches for analyzing potential risk under the new law, particularly with respect to models, exposure scenarios, and use of scientific inferences. Use of default assumptions and exposure scenarios should be carefully considered and fully explained in the public record.
3. In evaluating whether or not to remove or reduce the presumptive tenfold safety factor for risks specific to children, EPA should recognize the discretion provided in the current law. In this evaluation, EPA should exercise its discretion in a manner consistent with the intent of the Congress and the 1993 Report by the National Academy of Sciences concerning risks to children from pesticides. In developing analytical approaches for the exercise of this discretion, EPA should utilize external scientific review panels wherever appropriate.

Transparency

In translating sound science into sound regulatory approaches, EPA and USDA should ensure that the decisions and positions of the two agencies are transparent to affected constituencies.

1. Approaches must be clearly and fully communicated in a manner that facilitates informed review by all affected constituencies.
2. Where there must be a selection among competing or alternative approaches or interpretations in implementing the law, alternatives should be fully presented and explained before moving forward.
3. In determining whether or not to seek additional data from the regulated community, EPA should fully disclose its decisions and reasons to the public.

Reasonable Transition for Agriculture

Implementation of the law will require transition to new pest management strategies for certain pesticide users. EPA and USDA should work together to address transition challenges in future years.

1. I understand EPA does not intend any significant use cancellations in this growing season. If this should change based on new information, there should be immediate consultation with USDA and affected cons