| 
| 
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPA Pesticide Program Updates: January 24, 2002Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, January 24, 2002 IN THIS UPDATE:
Benomyl Cancellation Notice and Proposed Tolerance RevocationsOn January 15, 2002, EPA published two Federal Register notices related to the pesticide benomyl. One notice is a final cancellation order, effective January 15, 2002, for products made by six companies. This order follows up on an October 12, 2001 publication of notice of receipt of cancellation requests from these companies. EPA received no public comments on this notice. Existing stocks may be sold by persons other than the registrants until December 31, 2002.In another notice, EPA proposed to revoke all tolerances (pesticide residues allowed to remain in food) for residues of the fungicide benomyl, because this pesticide is no longer registered for use in the U.S. EPA must receive any comments on this proposal by March 18, 2002, identified by docket number OPP-301201. If EPA receives comments expressing interest in retaining any of these tolerances, EPA will not immediately revoke that tolerance but will provide an opportunity for the parties to commit to submitting data to support the tolerance. EPA is proposing expiration dates for the tolerances to take into account the time needed for legally treated commodities to pass through the channels of trade, based on the expectation that stocks will be exhausted by December 31, 2003 and the typical storage, processing, and distribution activities associated with each commodity. These Federal Register notices are on EPA's web site. Terbufos Interim Risk Management Decision IssuedEPA has completed an interim risk management decision document for the organophosphorus pesticide terbufos. EPA has worked with affected parties to reach the decisions presented in this document. Actions to reduce risks associated with use of terbufos include establishing limitations on sales of terbufos, requiring buffers between treated areas and surface water or drain pipes in certain situations, and changing certain methods of application of the pesticide, as well as changes related to protecting workers. Presuming that the risk mitigation measures are adopted, terbufos fits into its own risk cup. Terbufos is used on corn sorghum, and sugar beets. There are no residential uses. However, final risk decisions must include consideration of cumulative risks of the organophosphorus pesticides. This interim decision was made through the organophosphorus pesticide pilot publication process. This process, developed in consultation with the USDA-EPA Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee, is intended to increase transparency of decision making and maximize stakeholder involvement. EPA is accepting comments on this document until March 18, 2002. The docket number for submission of comments is OPP- 341399D. The Federal Register notice is available on EPA's web site as are the documents associated with this pesticide.Note: For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu, or by visiting their Web site. For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit OPPs home page. Or call or write OPP directly at: Communication Services Branch |
|
 Western Integrated Pest Management Center Pest Management Centers are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service |
|