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Last Updated:
April 12, 2006

Pesticide Briefs
April 12, 2006

Product Cancellations

Risk Assessments
It is important for you to know that EPA is conducting a Risk Assessment on a particular pesticide, because this means that there may be label restrictions in the future for this product. During the Risk Assessment period, you may make comments to EPA if you think label restrictions will impose a hardship on production of a commodity.

Reregistration Eligibility Decisions
It is important for you to know that EPA is conducting a Reregistration study on a particular pesticide, because this means that there may be label restrictions in the future for this product. During the Reregistration period, you may make comments to EPA if you think label restrictions will impose a hardship on production of a commodity.

Pesticide Tolerances, Registration Applications, Registration Approvals
After a tolerance has been established, the registrant decides if the commodity/site will be put on the label. Having a tolerance does not automatically mean you can use the chemical. Even when a pesticide has been registered by EPA, you can not use the product until the commodity/site is on the label in your hand. Always read the pesticide label before applying!

Reports

EPA Requests

Publications

Meetings

Announcements

INORGANIC CHLORATE PESTICIDES (see next article also)

EPA is requesting public comment on the Agency's human health and ecological risk assessments for the inorganic chlorate pesticides, primarily sodium chlorate, and seeks public input on risk reduction options for these chemicals. In addition to several non-pesticide manufacturing uses, the herbicide sodium chlorate is used as a defoliant and desiccant on agricultural crops to aid harvest, as well as for spot treatments to control weeds on roadsides, rights-of-way, and residential properties. However, registrants have recently asked to voluntarily cancel all residential uses. A strong oxidizing agent, sodium chlorate is a non-selective contact herbicide that can kill all green parts of plants. It is used primarily in the southeastern US on cotton, but also is used on other agricultural and non-agricultural sites. Sodium chlorate is an inert ingredient in some other pesticide formulations and also is used in drinking water systems as a precursor to chlorine dioxide generation.

Potential dietary food and drinking water risks are low and not of concern for all population subgroups, except infants below one year old at high-end chronic drinking water exposure levels. Potential risks were identified for only four of the total number of water systems sampled; high concentrations of chlorate ion appear to be a local problem affecting a relatively small number of water systems.


TITLE: INORGANIC CHLORATES RISK ASSESSMENTS, NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND REQUEST FOR RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 1, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 21, Page 5318-5320
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-01/p841.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments, and related documents for the inorganic chlorates and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for inorganic chlorates through a modified, 4-Phase public participation processChemical(s): Inorganic Chlorates
Docket identification (ID) number EPA- HQ-OPP-2005-0507

Contact: Felicia Fort, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 305-7478; fax number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address: fort.felicia@epa.gov.

C11-12 RICH AROMATIC HYDROCARBON FLUID (AROMATIC 200 FLUID)

Title: Notice of Filing of a Pesticide Petition for the Establishment of an Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance for Residues of C11-12 Rich Aromatic Hydrocarbon Fluid (Aromatic 200 Fluid) in or on Food Commodities
Date of publication: February 1, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 21, Page 5321-5322
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-01/p951.htm
Purpose: Exxon Mobil Chemical Company proposes to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of C11-12 rich aromatic hydrocarbon fluid (Aromatic 200 Fluid) in or on food commodities when used as an inert ingredient in pesticide products. Because this petition is a request for a tolerance exemption without numerical limitations, no analytical method is required.
Chemical(s): C11-12 Rich Aromatic Hydrocarbon Fluid
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0321

Contact: Bipin Gandhi, Registration Division, (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-8380; e-mail: gandhi.bipin@epa.gov

EPA SOLICITS COMMENTS ON "FOR USE ONLY BY" LABELING STATEMENTS
The Office of Pesticide Programs is making available on its Web site an issue paper concerning statements such as "For Use Only By Pest Control Operators" or "For Professional Use Only" when such statements appear on the labels of products that have not been classified by EPA as Restricted Use. Such statements appear to limit product use to certain categories of users. However, if EPA has not classified the product for restricted use, such limitation statements are generally not enforceable under existing pesticide laws and regulations. The Agency is interested in receiving comments on the value or practical consequences of allowing or not allowing such statements on pesticide labels. The issue paper and instructions for submitting comments are available on the Office of Pesticide Programs' website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/labels/issues.htm.

EPA AUTHORIZES CRITICAL USES OF METHYL BROMIDE FOR 2006
Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov
In accordance with the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, EPA finalized a rule exempting methyl bromide production and import for 2006 critical uses. EPA also authorized those uses that will qualify for the 2006 critical use exemption. The exemptions for continued production and import of methyl bromide will honor the U.S. commitment to obtain methyl bromide for American farmers, in a manner consistent with the Montreal Protocol, while protecting the ozone layer.

This action is authorizing 8,081,753 kilograms of methyl bromide for approved critical uses during 2006. This amount totals 32 percent of U.S. 1991 baseline consumption levels, and amounts to approximately 90 percent of the U.S. request for 2006.

Critical use exemptions are anticipated under the Montreal Protocol for circumstances where there are no technically and economically feasible alternatives to methyl bromide. Further, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 direct the EPA to issue regulations to implement the provisions of the Montreal Protocol within the United States.

Allowance decisions for 2007 were made at 17th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Dakar, Senegal during Dec. 12-16, 2005. For 2007, the U.S. nominated 29 percent of baseline, and a total of 26.4 percent was authorized. EPA is beginning the notice-and-comment rulemaking process for the 2007 calendar year.

For more information on the final rule, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR THE RESIDUES OF THE INSECTICIDE METAFLUMIZONE IN OR ON FOOD AND FEED COMMODITIES
Date of publication:January 23, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 14, Page 3510-3512
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-23/p578.htm
Purpose: BASF Corporation proposes to establish tolerances for residues of the insecticide metaflumizone(mixture comprising 4-(2E)-2-([4- (trifluoromethoxy)anilino] carbonylhydrazono)-2-[3- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] ethylbenzonitrile and 4-(2Z)-2-([4- (trifluoromethoxy)anilino] carbonyl hydrazono)-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] ethylbenzonitrile)
in or on the commodities cotton, seed at 0.05 parts per million (ppm); cotton, gin trash at 35.0 ppm; cattle and poultry, meat at 0.05 ppm; cattle and poultry, fat at 0.5 ppm; kidney and liver, meat byproducts at 0.05 ppm; milk at 0.05 ppm; and eggs at 0.1 ppm.
Chemical(s): Insecticide Metaflumizone
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0302

Contact: Ann Hanger, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 306-0395; e-mail address:hanger.ann@epa.gov.

POLYBUTYLENE

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A REGULATION OF A PESTICIDE CHEMICAL IN OR ON FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication:January 25, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 16, Page 4138-4140
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-25/p579.htm
Purpose: Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Corporation, proposes to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of polybutylene (CAS Reg. No. 9003-28-5) in or on food commodities when used as an inert ingredient.
Chemical(s):Polybutylene
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0286

Contact: Bipin Gandhi, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 308-8380; e-mail:gandhi.bipin@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A REGULATION OF A PESTICIDE CHEMICAL IN OR ON FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication: January 25, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 16, Page 4137-4138
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-25/p580.htm
Purpose: The Lubrizol Corporation, proposes to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 2-propenoic, 2-methyl-, polymers with ethyl acrylate and polyethylene glycol methylacrylate C18-22 alkyl ethers in or on food commodities when used as an inert ingredient in pesticide products.
Chemical(s): 2-propenoic, 2-methyl-, polymers with ethyl acrylate and polyethylene glycol methylacrylate C18-22 alkyl ethers
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0304
Contact: Bipin Gandhi, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 308-8380; e-mail: gandhi.bipin@epa.gov.

TITLE: MODIFIED CRY3A PROTEIN AND THE GENETIC MATERIAL FOR ITS PRODUCTION IN CORN; EXTENSION OF A TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A TOLERANCE
Date of publication: March 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 50 , Page13269-13274
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-15/p2431.htm
Purpose: This regulation extends an existing temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the Bacillus thuringiensis modified Cry3A protein (mCry3A) and the genetic material necessary for its production in corn on field corn, sweet corn, and popcorn when applied/used as a plant-incorporated protectant. Syngenta Seeds, Inc. submitted a petition to EPA requesting this extension of the existing temporary tolerance exemption. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of modified Cry3A protein (mCry3A) and the genetic material necessary for its production in corn. The temporary tolerance exemption as extended will expire on October 15, 2007.
Chemical(s):Bacillus thuringiensis modified Cry3A protein
Comments: This regulation is effective March 15, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 15, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0174.
Contact: Mike Mendelsohn, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C), telephone number: (703) 308-8715; e-mail address: mendelsohn.mike@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE INSECTICIDE IMIDACLOPRID AND ITS METABOLITES IN OR ON OATS AND RYE COMMODITIES (see next article also)
Date of publication: January 27, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 18, Page 4580-4582http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-27/p1044.htm
Purpose: Bayer CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, proposes to amend the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.472 for residues of the insecticide imidacloprid (1-[(6-chloro-3- pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) and its metabolites containing the 6-chloropyridinyl moiety, all expressed as 1-[(6-chloro- 3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine in or on the food commodities oats, forage at 2.0 parts per million (ppm); oats, grain at 0.5 ppm; oats, hay at 6.0 ppm; oats, straw at 3.0 ppm; rye, forage at 2.0 ppm; rye, grain at 0.5 ppm; rye, hay at 6.0 ppm; and rye, straw at 3.0 ppm.
Chemical(s): Imidacloprid
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0053

Contact: Dan Kenny, Registration Division (7505C), (703) 305-7546; e-mail: kenny.dan@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF THE INSECTICIDE IMIDACLOPRID IN OR ON VARIOUS FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14524-14525
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2636.htm
Purpose:This notice announces the initial filing of pesticide petitions by Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of the insecticide imidacloprid, 1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro- 2-imidazolidinimine in or on various food commodities.
Chemical(s):Imidacloprid
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0542 must be received on or before April 21, 2006.
Contact:Barbara Madden, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: SORBITOL OCTANOATE; EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A TOLERANCE
Date of publication: January 27, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 18, Page 4512-4518
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/January/Day-27/p756.htm
Purpose: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical sorbitol octanoate on all food commodities when applied/used in accordance with label directions. AVA Chemical Ventures, L. L. C. submitted a petition to EPA requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of sorbitol octanoate.
Chemical(s): Sorbitol Octanoate.
Comments: This regulation is effective January 27, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before March 28, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID)number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0515.
Contact: Denise Greenway, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C), telephone number: (703) 308-8263; e-mail address: greenway.denise@epa.gov.

NATIONAL PESTICIDE USE DATABASE

The CropLife Foundation released the fungicide and herbicide components of the National Pesticide Use Database: 2002. This database is the only national, comprehensive, and publicly available source of pesticide use data for the United States. The database, press release, methodology and data summary report, and other supporting documents are available on the CropLife Foundation website at: www.croplifefoundation.org/cpri_npud2002.htm. Please visit the site, review the report, and explore the database. If you have any questions or would like futher information, please contact Nathan Reigner: nreigner@croplifefoundation.org.


LINDANE, OTHER HCH ISOMERS RISK ASSESSMENT

EPA is seeking public comment on its risk assessment for the organochlorine pesticide lindane and the other hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, as well as ideas and suggestions on possible risk-reduction options. Lindane currently is used in the United States as a seed treatment on six agricultural crops: barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, and wheat. The other HCH isomers are by-products of the lindane manufacturing process. Although technical or manufacturing grade lindane has not been produced in the U.S. since the 1970s, it continues to be manufactured in Romania and India. Lindane and the other HCH isomers are mobile in the environment and, through long-range atmospheric transfer, are deposited in the Arctic, where they have been detected in air, surface water, groundwater, sediment, soil, ice, snowpack, fish, wildlife, and humans. EPA's assessment indicates potential risks from dietary exposure to the alpha and beta HCH isomers to certain US subpopulations, particularly communities in Alaska who depend on subsistence foods such as caribou, seal, and whale. EPA is sensitive to indigenous cultures, ways of life, and dietary patterns, and recognizes that traditional foods remain an outstanding source of a broad range of nutrients necessary for good health in these communities. The Agency seeks ideas and suggestions on ways to prevent HCH contaminants from continuing to make their way into indigenous diets.

EPA completed its Lindane Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) on July 31, 2002. This decision document states that the six remaining lindane seed treatment uses are eligible for reregistration provided that certain conditions are met, one of which is that the Agency is able to establish all required tolerances for lindane residues on food. In response to the RED, the Agency received comments stating that the other HCH isomers also should be considered. These isomers are included in the draft North American Regional Action Plan (NARAP) on Lindane and Other HCH Isomers. Consistent with the RED comments and with our national and regional actions in
the draft lindane NARAP, the Agency has prepared this assessment considering risks from exposures to the other HCH isomers.

The February 8, 2006 Federal Register notice and risk assessment on lindane and other HCH isomers are available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-08/p1103.htm,
http://www.regulations.gov in Docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0034, and on the lindane chemical page at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/lindane/.

TITLE: PROTECTIONS FOR SUBJECTS IN HUMAN RESEARCH
Date of publication: February 6, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 24, Page 6137-6176
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/2006/February/Day-06/g1045.htm
Purpose: With this final rule, EPA bans research for pesticides involving intentional exposure of human subjects, when the subjects are pregnant women or children. The rule further strengthens existing protections for subjects in research conducted or supported by EPA, by prohibiting such research if it would involve intentional exposure of human subjects who are pregnant women or children. The rule also extends new protections to adult subjects in research for pesticides conducted by others who intend to submit the research to EPA, when it involves intentional exposure of human subjects who are non-pregnant adults, and creates a new, independent Human Studies Review Board to advise the Agency on the ethical and scientific issues arising in such research. This final rule focuses on third-party intentional dosing human studies for pesticides and sets the stage for further agency actions. In addition, in order to display the OMB control number for the information collection requirements contained in this final rule, EPA is amending the table of OMB approval numbers for EPA regulations that appears in 40 CFR part 9.
Comments: This rule is effective on April 7, 2006. EPA has established a docket
for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2003-0132.
Contact: William L. Jordan, Mailcode 7501C, telephone number: (703) 305-1049; fax
number: (703) 308-4776; e-mail address: jordan.william@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A REVISED PESTICIDE PETITION FOR AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS FOR THE INDIRECT OR INADVERTENT RESIDUES OF THE FUNGICIDE BOSCALID IN OR ON VARIOUS FOOD COMMODITIES (see following 2 articles also)
Date of publication: March 17, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 52, Page 13841-13842
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-17/p2630.htm
Purpose: BASF Corporation proposes to amend the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.589 by lowering the established 1.0 parts per million (ppm) tolerances to 0.1 ppm for indirect or inadvertent residues of the fungicide boscalid (BAS 510F); [3-pyridinecarboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(4'- chloro(1,1'-biphenyl)-2-yl] in or on the food commodities beet, garden, roots; beet, sugar, roots; radish, roots; turnip, roots; and vegetable, root and tuber, leaves, Group 2 at 0.1 ppm.
Chemical(s): Boscalid
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2003-0246 must be received on or before April 17, 2006.
Contact: Tony Kish, Registration Division (7505C), 703-308-9943; e-mail: kish.tony@epa.gov.

TITLE: BOSCALID; PESTICIDE TOLERANCE (see following article also)
Date of publication: February 8, 2006 Citation: Volume 71, Number 26, Page 6359-6364
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-08/p1170.htmn
Purpose: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of boscalid, 3-pyridinecarboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(4'-chloro [1,1'-biphenyl]- 2-yl) in or on banana (imported), celery, and spinach. In addition, existing tolerances are being increased on almond hulls. Finally, the existing lettuce exception listed for the indirect or inadvertent residues in vegetables, leafy, group 4, is being revised to include celery and spinach, as well as lettuce. BASF requested the tolerances on almonds and bananas, and Interregional Research Project #4 (IR-4) has proposed group tolerances on vegetable, leafy, except brassica, Group 4 (to include celery and spinach), under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Chemical(s): Boscalid
Comments: This regulation is effective February 8, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0145.
Contact: Tony Kish, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-9443; e-mail address: kish.tony@epa.gov.


TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE FUNGICIDE BOSCALID IN OR ON STRAWBERRY AND BERRIES (CROP GROUP 13) COMMODITIES
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7951-7952
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p2147.htm
Purpose: BASF Corporation proposes to amend the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.589 by increasing the tolerance for residues of the fungicide boscalid (BAS 510F), 3-pyridinecarboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(4'- chloro(1,1'-biphenyl)-2-yl in or on the food commodity strawberry from 1.2 to 4.0 parts per million (ppm); and increasing the tolerance in or on the food commodity berries (Crop Group 13) to 8.0 ppm.
Chemical(s): Boscalid
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0145

Contact:Tony Kish, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-9443; e-mail: kish.tony@epa.gov.


TITLE: ROTENONE RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY, AND RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 10, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 28, Page 7041-7043
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-10/p1902.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments, and related documents for the pesticide rotenone, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED), for roteneone through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Rotenone
Docket identification (ID) number OPP-EPA-HQ-2005-0494

Contact: Katie Hall, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-0166; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: hall.katie@epa.gov

FEDERAL AGENCY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INCIDENT RESPONSE ROLES DESCRIBED IN NEW DOCUMENT

EPA announces the availability of an important homeland security resource document for government agencies and industries associated with the food and agriculture sector of the United States. This new document, "Federal Food and Agriculture Decontamination and Disposal Roles and Responsibilities," is a collaborative product of USDA, FDA, EPA, DHS, and DOD. The purpose of the document is to provide government agencies at all levels and industry and others involved in protecting the nation's food and agriculture with information on the roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of Federal agencies for addressing decontamination and disposal of animal, crop, and food commodities contaminated with chemical or biological agents. Key activities, lead and support agencies, and capabilities are described for a variety of representative threat scenarios. Summaries of pertinent Federal statutes, plans for protecting this sector, and important government contacts are also provided. This document can be an important resource for understanding Federal roles and responsibilities and for further planning and preparedness for significant incidents that could disrupt the nation’s food and agriculture sector. It is available at http://www.epa.gov/homelandsecurity/htm/ohs-food.htm. For further information contact Laura Flynn, EPA's Office of Homeland Security, at flynn.laura@epa.gov.


TITLE: STREPTOMYCIN RISK ASSESSMENTS; Notice of Availability and Risk Reduction Options
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7940-7942
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p1351.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessment(s), and related documents for the pesticide streptomycin, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) for streptomycin through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Streptomycin
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0493

Contact:Lance Wormell, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 603-0523; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: wormell.lance@epa.gov.

TITLE: OXYTETRACYCLINE RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 31, Page 7942-7945
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p1352.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments, and related documents for the pesticide oxytetracycline, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) for oxytetracycline through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Oxytetracycline
Docket identification (ID) number EPA- HQ-OPP-2005-0492

Contact: Lance Wormell, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 603-0523; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: wormell.lance@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF REVISED PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE FUNGICIDE PYRACLOSTROBIN AND ITS METABOLITE IN OR ON PEA, BEAN AND STRAWBERRY COMMODITIES
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7955-7956
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p1354.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the filing of revised pesticide petitions proposing the amendment of a regulation for residues of the fungicide pyraclostrobin, carbamic acid, [2-[[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H- pyrazol-3-yl] oxy]methyl]phenyl]methoxy-methyl ester, and its metabolite methyl-N-[[[1-(4-chlorophenyl) pyrazol-3-yl]oxy]o-tolyl] carbamate (BF 500-3); expressed as parent compound in or on pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean (Subgroup 6C of Crop Group 6) and strawberry commodities.
Chemical(s): Pyraclostrobin
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0325

Contact Tony Kish, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 308-9443; e-mail:kish.tony@epa.gov

TITLE: TRIADIMEFON RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7945-7947
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p2151.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments, and related documents for the triazole fungicide triadimefon and for its free triazole metabolites, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The triazole fungicides, which include triadimefon, triadimenol, and propiconazole, and others, share the common metabolites 1,2,4-triazole, triazole alanine, and triazole acetic acid (also known as free triazoles). EPA has conducted an aggregate risk assessment for the free triazole metabolites to ensure that aggregate exposure and risk from these common metabolites meet the current safety standards. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for triadimefon through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Triadimefon
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0258

Contact: John W. Pates, Jr., Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-8195; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: pates.john@epa.gov.

TITLE: TRIADIMENOL RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7947-7949
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p2152.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessment, and related documents for the triazole fungicide triadimenol and for its free triazole metabolites, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The triazole fungicides, which include triadimenol, triadimefon, and propiconazole, and others, share the common metabolites 1,2,4-triazole, triazole alanine, and triazole acetic acid (also known as free triazoles). EPA has conducted an aggregate risk assessment for the free triazole metabolites to ensure that aggregate exposure and risk from these common metabolites meet the current safety standards.The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) for triadimenol through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Triadimenol
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0038

Contact: John W. Pates, Jr., Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-8195; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: pates.john@epa.gov.

TITLE: PROPICONAZOLE RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7949-7951
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p2153.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments and related documents for the triazole fungicide propiconazole and for its free triazole metabolites, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The triazole fungicides, which include propiconazole, triadimefon, and triadimenol, and others, share the common metabolites 1,2,4-triazole, triazole alanine, and triazole acetic acid (also known as free triazoles). EPA has conducted an aggregate risk assessment for the free triazole metabolites to ensure that aggregate exposure and risk from these common metabolites meet the current safety standards. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for propiconazole through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Propiconazole
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0497

Contact: Christina Scheltema, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703)308-2201; fax number: (703)308-8005; e-mail address: scheltema.christina@epa.gov.


BEAUVERIA BASSIANA

Title: Pesticide Product; Registration Applications
Date of publication: February 15, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 31, Page 7954-7955
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-15/p2160.htm
Purpose: EPA received applications as follows to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any previously registered products. 1. File Symbol: 70787-E. Applicant: Jabb of the Carolinas, Product Name: balEnce. Type of product: microbial insecticide, End-use Product. Active ingredient: Beauveria bassiana HF23 at 1.18%. Proposed classification/Use: Microbial pesticide to control house flies in chicken manure. 2. File Symbol: 70787-R. Applicant: Jabb of the Carolinas, Product Name: Beauveria bassiana HF23. Type of product: microbial insecticide. Active ingredient: Beauveria bassiana HF23 at 95%. Proposed classification/Use: For formulation into End-use Products.
Chemical(s): Beauveria bassiana
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0092

Contact: Shanaz Bacchus, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C), telephone number: (703) 308-8097; e-mail address: bacchus.shanaz@epa.gov.

IODOMETHANE AND CHLOROPICRIN
TITLE: PESTICIDE PRODUCTS; REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS
Date of publication: February 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 35, Page 9117-9118
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-22/p1458.htm
Purpose: This notice announces receipt of applications from Arysta LifeSciences to register pesticide products containing new active ingredients not included in any previously registered products pursuant to the provisions of section 3(c)(4) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended.
Chemical(s): Iodomethane and Chloropicrin
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0079

Contact: Mary L. Waller, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-9354; e-mail address: waller.mary@epa.gov.

MUSCODOR ALBUS

TITLE: PESTICIDE PRODUCT REGISTRATIONS; CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
Date of publication: February 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 35 , Page 9115-9117
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-22/p1566.htm
Purpose: This notice announces Agency approval of applications submitted by AgraQuest, Inc., to conditionally register the pesticide products Muscodor albus strain QST 20799, (manufacturing use product) and its end-use products, Arabesque, Andante, and Glissade containing the new active ingredient not included in any previously registered products pursuant to the provisions of section 3(c)(7)(C) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended.
Chemical(s): Muscodor albus Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification number (ID) EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0091.
Contact: Shanaz Bacchus, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C), telephone number: (703) 308-8097; e-mail address:bacchus.shanaz@epa.gov.

TITLE: ETHYLENE OXIDE (ETO) REVISED RISK ASSESSMENTS; Notice of Availability, and Solicitation of Risk Reduction Options (Phase 5 of 6-Phase Process)
Date of publication: February 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 35, Page 9110-9112
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-22/p2463.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's revised risk assessments for the fumigant/sterilant pesticide ethylene oxide (ETO). In addition, this notice solicits public comment on risk reduction options for ETO. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED), for ETO through the full, 6- Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s):Ethylene Oxide (ETO)
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0203 must be received on or before April 24, 2006.
Contact: Susan Bartow, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 603-0065; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: bartow.susan@epa.gov.

TITLE: BORIC ACID/SODIUM BORATE SALTS RISK ASSESSMENT; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: February 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 35, Page 9112-9114
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-22/p2471.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessment, and related documents for the pesticide boric acid/sodium borate salts, and opens a 60 day public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) for boric acid/sodium borate salts through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process.
Chemical(s): Boric Acid/Sodium
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0062, must be received on or before April 24, 2006.
Contact: Nathan Mottl, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 305-0208; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: mottl.nathan@epa.gov.

TITLE: TRIDEMORPH; TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT DECISION FOR LOW RISK PESTICIDE; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: February 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 35, Page 9114-9115
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/February/Day-22/p2509.htmPurpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for tridemorph, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide tridemorph through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide tolerance reassessment and reregistration decisions. Through the tolerance reassessment program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and food safety standards.
Chemical(s): Tridemorph;
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0505

Contact:Molly Clayton, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 603-0522; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: clayton.molly@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE RESIDUES OF SODIUM SALT OF FOMESAFEN IN OR ON DRY AND SNAP BEANS, AND COTTON SEED AND GIN BYPRODUCTS
Date of publication: March 1, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 40 , Page10508-10509
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-01/p1852.htm
Purpose: Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), and Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., proposes to establish tolerances for residues of the herbicide sodium salt of fomesafen, 5-[2-chloro-4- (trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide] in or on food commodities dry beans (PP 1E6228), snap beans (PP 6E4653), cotton seed and cotton gin byproducts (9F5068) at 0.025 parts per million (ppm).
Chemical(s): Fomesafen
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0073

Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division, (7505C),(703) 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL; STANDARDS FOR PESTICIDE CONTAINERS AND CONTAINMENT; NOTIFICATION TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
Date of publication: March 1, 2006
Citation: Volume71, Number 40, Page 10438-10439
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-01/p1853.htm
Purpose: This document notifies the public that the Administrator of EPA has forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture a draft final rule which would establish standards for removal of pesticides from containers and for rinsing containers; facilitate the safe use, refill, reuse, and disposal of pesticide containers by establishing standards for container design, labeling and refilling; and establish requirements for containment of large, stationary pesticide containers and for containment of pesticide dispensing areas.
Chemical(s):N/A
Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0327.
Contact: Nancy Fitz, Field and External Affairs Division, (7506C), telephone number: 703-305-7385; e-mail address: fitz.nancy@epa.gov.

POLYMER, 2H-AZEPIN-2-ONE
TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OR AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF PESTICIDE CHEMICALS IN OR ON VARIOUS COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 1, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 40, Page10505-10506
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-01/p2895.htm
Purpose: Ludwigshafen, Germany, proposes to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of a polymer, 2H-azepin-2-one, 1-ethenylhexahydro-, homopolymer, (CAS Reg. No. 25189-83-7), in or on food commodities when used as an inert ingredient . Because this petition is a request for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance without numerical limitations, no analytical method is required.
Chemical(s): Polymer, 2H-azepin-2-one
Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP- 2006-0078. Comments must be received on or before March 31, 2006.
Contact: Bipin Gandhi, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 308-8380; e-mail: gandhi.bipin@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE RESIDUES OF BENTAZON AND ITS METABOLITES IN OR ON PEACHES AND NECTARINES
Date of publication: March 1, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 40, Page 10509-10511
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-01/p2896.htm
Purpose: Interregional Research Project No. 4, proposes to establish a tolerance for residues of the herbicide bentazon (3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3- benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide) and its 6- and 8-hydroxy metabolites in or on peach and nectarine at 0.05 parts per million (ppm). Adequate enforcement methods are available for the determination of residues of bentazon and its 6- and 8-hydroxy metabolites in/on plant commodities.
Chemical(s): Bentazon
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0533

Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE RESIDUES OF THE INSECTICIDE HEXYTHIAZOX IN OR ON FIELD CORN (see next article also)
Date of publication:March 1, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 40, Page 10506-10508
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-01/p2897.htm
Purpose: Gowan Company, proposes to establish a regional tolerance for residues of the insecticide hexythiazox (trans-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4- methyl-2-oxothiazolidine-3-carboxamide) and its metabolites containing the (4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-oxo-3-thiazolidine moiety in or on food commodities corn, field, grain at 0.05 parts per million (ppm); corn, field, forage at 2.0 ppm; and corn, field, stover at 2.0 ppm.
Chemical(s): Hexythiazox
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0309

Contact:Olga Odiott, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 308-9369; e-mail: odiott.olga@epa.gov.

TITLE: HEXYTHIAZOX; PESTICIDE TOLERANCES
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14409-14411
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2632.htm
Purpose: This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues of hexythiazox (trans-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-2- oxothiazolidine-3-carboxamide) and its metabolites containing the (4- chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-oxo-3-thiazolidine moiety (expressed as parent) in or on grape; citrus fruit, crop group 10 (CA, AZ, TX only); citrus, oil; citrus, dried pulp; fruit, pome, group 11; apple, wet pomace; and cattle, sheep, goat, and horse meat byproducts.
Chemical(s): Hexythiazox;
Comments:This regulation is effective March 22, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 22, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0168.
Contact: Olga Odiott, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-9369; e-mail address: odiott.olga@epa.gov.

EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR BIOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL PESTICIDES
EPA has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update and clarify data requirements for biochemical and microbial pesticides. These proposed revisions are intended to provide EPA with data and other in-formation necessary to support the registration of a biochemical and microbial pesticides product, and will improve the Agency's ability to make regulatory decisions about the human health and environmental effects of these pesticide products.

The main revisions contained in this proposal will:

1.Codify current data requirements that do not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 158, but which are routinely required;
2.Add new data requirements;
3.Revise certain existing data requirements, such as by updating test notes;
4.Clarify the definitions of biochemical and microbial pesticides to reflect our current application of those terms;
5.Provide additional definitions needed to apply the data requirements properly;
6.Make necessary reorganizing and formatting revisions, such as renaming data requirements; and
7.On a case-by-case basis, provide assistance to applicants in both determining what data are appropriate to support registrations and preparing data waivers.
The NPRM is available on EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p2185.htm. EPA's biopesticides Web page is at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/.

TITLE: SPINOSAD; PESTICIDE TOLERANCE
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 45, Page11519-11526
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p1939.htm
Purpose: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of Spinosad in/on the following commodities: Alfalfa seed; alfalfa seed screenings; banana; food commodities; animal feed, nongrass, group 18, forage; animal feed, nongrass, group 18, hay; peanut, hay; vegetable, bulb, group 3, except green onion; onion, green; grass, forage, fodder and hay, group 17, forage; grass, forage, fodder and hay, group 17, hay; grain, cereal, group 16, stover, except rice; grain, cereal, group 16, forage, except rice; grain, cereal, group 16, hay, except rice; grain, cereal, group 16, straw, except rice; peppermint, tops; and spearmint tops. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4)] on behalf of the registrant, Dow AgroScience, LLC requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).In addition, EPA is deleting certain spinosad tolerances that are no longer needed as a result of this action.
Chemical(s): Spinosad
Comments: This regulation is effective March 8, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 8, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID)EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0510.
Contact: Sidney Jackson, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 305-7610, e-mail address: jackson.sidney@epa.gov.

COLLETOTRICHUM GLOEOSPORIOIDES F. SP. AESCHYNOMENE

Title: Pesticide Product; Registration Applications
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume71, Number 45, Page 11621-11622
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p2014.htm
Purpose: This notice announces receipt of an application from ARI Inc. to register a pesticide product known as LockdownTM retro. This product contains a new active ingredient not included in any currently registered products pursuant to the provisions of section 3(c)(4) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended.
Chemical(s): Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene (Cga) at 45%. Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0149

Contact: Barbara Mandula, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division 7511C), telephone number: (703) 308-7378; e-mail address: mandula.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF AZOXYSTROBIN AND ITS Z-ISOMER IN OR ON VARIOUS COMMODITIES Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 45, Page11624-11626
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p2104.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the initial filing, by Interregional Research Project No. 4,of pesticide petitions proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of azoxystrobin and its Z-isomer in or on various commodities.
Chemical(s): Azoxystrobin
Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0540
Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division (7505C), 703- 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID CHEMICALS: EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF A TOLERANCE
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 45 , Page11563-11570
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p2106.htm
Purpose: The Agency is proposing to establish 16 new and amend three existing exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of various ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chemicals in or on raw agricultural commodities when used as inert ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of these EDTA chemicals.
Chemical(s): Ethylenediaminetetraacetic
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA- HQ-PP- 2005-0325, must be received on or before May 8, 2006.
Contact: Kathryn Boyle, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 305-6304; e-mail address: boyle.kathryn@epa.gov.

TITLE: PESTICIDES; DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR BIOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL PESTICIDES
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 45, Page 12071-12117
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p2185.htm
Purpose: EPA is proposing to update and revise its data requirements for the registration of microbial and biochemical pesticide products to reflect current scientific knowledge. These proposed revisions are intended to provide EPA with data and other information necessary to support the registration of a biochemical and microbial pesticide product, and will improve the Agency's ability to make regulatory decisions about the human health and environmental effects of these pesticide products. EPA is also proposing to update the definitions of a biochemical pesticide and a microbial pesticide to more accurately describe these categories of pesticides, and to make a conforming change to the definition of microbial pesticide. EPA is announcing its policy to provide assistance to applicants when needed in determining what data are appropriate to support registration of a biochemical or microbial pesticide and encouraging applicants to request pre- submission meetings to discuss these data issues. EPA is announcing its intent to provide assistance to applicants in some narrow circumstances in preparation of an applicant's data waiver.
Chemical(s):Various
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP- 2004-0415, must be received on or before June 6, 2006.
Contact: Candace Brassard or Nathanael Martin,, telephone: 703-305-6598 or 703-305 -6475, e- mail: brassard.candace@epa.gov or martin.nathanael@epa.gov.

TITLE: PROPICONAZOLE; NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF REQUEST(S) TO AMEND TO TERMINATE USES OF CERTAIN PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 45, Page 11622-116
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p3228.htm
Purpose: In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by registrants to voluntarily amend their registrations to terminate uses of certain products containing the pesticide propiconazole. The requests would terminate propiconazole use in or on apparel, furnishings (except shower curtains), and carpet fiber. The requests would not terminate the last propiconazole products registered for use in the U.S. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests within this period. Upon acceptance of these requests, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.
Chemical(s): Propiconazole
docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0497
Contact: Stacey Grigsby, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), 0001; telephone number:
(703) 305-6440; fax number: (703)308-6467; e- mail address: grigsby.stacey@epa.gov. or Christina Scheltema, Special Review and reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-2201; fax number: (703)308-8005; e-mail address: scheltema.christina@epa.gov.

TITLE: EXPERIMENTAL USE PERMIT; RECEIPT OF APPLICATION
Date of publication: March 8, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number, 45, Page 11626-11627
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-08/p3282.htm
Purpose: This notice announces receipt of an application from BHN Research request ing an experimental use permit (EUP) for the plant-incorporated protectant Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki (Cry1A(c)) in tomatoes. The Agency has determined that the application may be of regional and national significance. Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is soliciting comments on this application.
Chemical(s): Bacillus thuringiensis subspkurstaki (Cry1A(c)) docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0070
Contact: Leonard Cole, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C),
telephone number: (703) 305-5412; e-mail address: cole.leonard@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATION FOR THE RESIDUES OF DIMETHOMORPH IN OR ON BRASSICA HEAD AND STEM FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 10, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 47, Page12356-12358
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-10/p2241.htm
Purpose: Interregional Research Project No. 4 proposes to establish a tolerance for residues of the fungicide dimethomorph [(E,Z)4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-morpholine] in or on food commodities Brassica head and stem (Subgroup 5A) at 2.0 parts per million (ppm).
Chemical(s): Dimethomorph
docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0532
Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division, (7505C), (703) 305-6463; e-mail:
madden.barbara@epa.gov.

ORNAMENTAL PESTICIDE GUIDE FROM OHIO STATE

From Jane C. Martin, Extension Educator, Horticulture at Ohio State:
“For the past few months, I've been working on a ‘General Use Pesticide Guide for Ornamentals,’ which is a simplified version of Bulletin 504. This guide is for use by Extension educators, Master Gardener Coordinators, and MGs who work with the general public on office hotlines or at public events. This guide provides the recommended insecticide active ingredient(s) for the most common insects and mites AND some brand name products that contain them. Dave Shetlar has reviewed and edited this guide, so it is up to date as of this month. This should simplify your ability to find pesticide information about certain pests.

There are four sections in this guide; general landscape pests, specific pests of trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, and insecticide tables that list active ingredients and brand name products.
You can download this guide from the Franklin County website at: http://franklin.osu.edu/hort/hort.htm . Click on the last box under "Site Index," labeled ‘2006 General Use Pesticides for Woody Plants, Annuals and Perennials.’ This is a PDF file and is about 15 pages in length.

Within the next couple of weeks, I hope to finish the "General Use Pesticides for Home Lawns" that will be in a similar format. I hope that you find these guides useful and easy for you and your MGs to use. Please pass this information to others who may find it helpful this season.”

Jane Martin, Extension Educator, Horticulture
OSU Extension - Franklin County2001 Fyffe Ct.
Columbus, OH 43210
Voice 614-247-6046
Fax 614-292-3505
Email: Martin.16@osu.edu

EPA REMINDS PUBLIC TO KEEP HOUSEHOLD PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS AWAY FROM KIDS
Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, EPA reminded the public-at-large of the importance of keeping household pesticides and chemicals out of the reach of children to prevent accidental poisonings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 9 out of 10 suspected poisonings occur at home, and the culprit usually is a common household product. Tips on how to protect children from pesticide and lead poisonings are available in both English and Spanish at EPA's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/10_tips/

EPA has expanded its efforts and is working with the Migrant Clinicians' Network (MCN) on a campaign aimed at educating farm workers about how to protect their families from the potential dangers of pesticides. The campaign, "La Proteccion De Su Familia Esta En Sus Manos" (The Protection of Your Family is in Your Hands), will be done in Spanish, since the vast majority of farm workers are Spanish-speaking, and will consist of television, radio and print interviews. The campaign will educate families about steps they can take to reduce pesticides residue exposures from their clothes, hands and shoes.

EPA has additional educational materials available to help prevent accidental poisonings. The materials can be obtained by calling EPA's Environmental Publications line at 1-800-490-9198. Additional information on poison prevention is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/ppweek-lockit.htm

Information on National Poison Prevention Week is available at: http://www.poisonprevention.org

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF MANCOZEB IN OR ON VARIOUS FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 15, 2006
Citation: Volume71, Number 50, Page 13389-13390
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-15/p2432.htm
Purpose: Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) proposes to establish a tolerance for residues of the fungicide mancozeb in or on food commodities Cucurbit Vegetable Crop Group 9 at 4.0 parts per million (ppm); 2. PP 5E4570. Mango, star apple (caimito), canistel, mamey sapote, sapodilla, and white sapote at 15.0 ppm; 3. PP 9E5054. Ginseng at 2.0 ppm; and 4. PP 9E5061. Sugar apple, cherimoya, atemoya, custard apple, and sweetsop at 3.0 ppm.
Chemical(s): Mancozeb
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0541, must be received on or before April 14, 2006.
Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division (7505C), 703-305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.govs24 .

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF A PESTICIDE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF QUILLAJA SAPONARIA IN OR ON ALL FOOD COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 15, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 50, Page 13388-13389]
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-15/p3738.htm
Purpose: Desert King Chile, Ltd., Antonio Bellet (submitted by Technology Sciences Group, Inc., proposes to establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biopesticide Quillaja Saponaria, extract in or on all food commodities. Because this petition is a request for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance without numerical limitations, no analytical method is required.
Chemical(s): Quillaja Saponaria
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0193 must be received on or before April 14, 2006.
Contact: Driss Benmhend, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, (7511C), (703) 308-9525; e-mail:benmhend.driss@epa.gov.

TITLE: BROMINE; TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT DECISION; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: March 17, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 52, Page13838-13840 http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-17/p2559.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the pesticide Bromine, and opens a public comment period on this document. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the Bromine Docket. Through the tolerance reassessment program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and food safety standards.
Chemical(s): Bromine
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0143 must be received on or before April 17, 2006.
Contact: Sharon Carlisle, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), 0001; telephone number: (703) 308-6427; fax number: (703)308-8481; e- mail: carlisle.sharon@epa.gov

EPA RELEASES REVISED RISK ASSESSMENTS ON CARBOFURAN, SEEKS FURTHER COMMENTS ON BENEFITS AND REDUCING RISKS (see next article also)
The Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating the potential risks associated with all currently registered uses of the pesticide carbofuran and has determined that there are some risks of concern in both dietary (food and drinking water) and non-dietary (occupational and ecological) areas. The Agency is seeking public comment during the next 60 days on its revised risk assessments for carbofuran, possible risk mitigation measures, and the benefits of currently registered carbofuran uses. EPA's current analysis shows that by eliminating certain uses of carbofuran that result in very high exposure - such as those with high application rates - dietary risks can be effectively reduced. Regarding potential ecological and occupational risks, EPA must consider benefits from the use of carbofuran in addition to any risk it may pose. Because few viable options are available to effectively mitigate potential occupational and ecological risks, the Agency is soliciting and will consider further input from stakeholders and the public, including comments on the preliminary alternatives analysis.

EPA released preliminary ecological and human health risk assessments for carbofuran last fall and received many comments, addressed in the Agency's Response to Comments memorandum that is available in the docket. The revised risk assessments and related documents, including a Note to Readers summarizing carbofuran's risks and input needed by the Agency, are available in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0162 at http://www.regulations.gov.

Carbofuran is a broad spectrum pesticide of the carbamate class that is sprayed directly onto soil and plants just after emergence to control insects, mites, and nematodes. It is registered for use on a variety of fruit, vegetable, and field crops. The major uses are alfalfa, corn, cotton, potatoes, and rice. Carbofuran is available in the U.S. in liquid and granular formulations, but in 1994, granular uses were reduced based on risks.

TITLE: CARBOFURAN REVISED RISK ASSESSMENTS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND SOLICITATION OF RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication:March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 55, Page 14513-14514
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2708.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's revised risk assessments for the N-methyl carbamate pesticide carbofuran. In addition, this notice solicits public comment on risk reduction options for carbofuran and an initial alternatives analysis. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for carbofuran.
Chemical(s):Carbofuran
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0162 must be received on or before May 22, 2006.
Contact: Stephanie Plummer, Special Review and Reregistration Division, telephone number: (703) 305-0076; fax number: (703) 308-7042; e-mail address: plummer.stephanie@epa.gov.

2006 NORTHEASTERN REGION PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION CENTER WORKSHOP

September 11-13, 2006. Days Inn, State College, PA

The Penn State Pesticide Education Program is pleased to announce the second annual Northeastern Region Pesticide Safety Education Center Workshop in partnership and cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Region III and EPA Headquarters). The workshop will be held in State College, Pennsylvania beginning on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. and concluding the afternoon of Wednesday, September 13, 2006.

The workshop is modeled after a successful program in the southern region, hosted by North Carolina State University. The overall goal of the program is to demonstrate and provide participants with new interactive training presentations that they can then use for their own pesticide safety education programming. Hands-on training activities will be a major thrust of this training program. No registration fee will be charged for attending the 2006 NEPSEC Annual Workshop and most other expenses (hotel and most meals) will be provided during the conference ONLY IF you attend the entire conference. However, participants will be responsible for their own travel costs to and from University Park.

Registrations for this workshop are now being accepted. However, please keep in mind that, in order to provide the most hands-on experiences for participants, only 50 registrations will be accepted. Participants will be selected based on the order in which registrations were received. For additional information and to register for this workshop, please visit the NEPSEC web page at: http://nepsec.psu.edu/.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATION FOR RESIDUES OF DIMETHENAMID IN OR ON VARIOUS FOOD AND FEED COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14521-14522
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2634.htm
Purpose:1.PP 4E6844.Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), Rutgers University, proposes to establish tolerances for residues of the dimethenamid, (R,S)-2-chloro-N-[(1-methyl-2-methoxy) ethyl]-N-(2,4- dimethylthien-3-yl)-acetamide in or on food commodities onion, green; onion, Welsh; leek; and shallot, fresh leaves at 0.01 parts per million (ppm); 2. PP 0F6138. Grass, forage at 0.05 ppm; grass, hay at 0.30 ppm; grass, straw at 0.01 ppm; and grass, seed screenings at 0.01 ppm.
Chemical(s): Dimethenamid
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0165, must be received on or before April 21, 2006.
Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division (7505C), 703- 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF ETHOFUMESATE AND ITS METABOLITES IN OR ON VARIOUS FOOD COMMODITIES Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14522-14524
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2635.htm
Purpose:1..PP 3E6564. Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), proposes to establish a tolerance for residues of the herbicide ethofumesate (2- ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate) and its metabolites NC 8493 and NC 9607 (both calculated as the parent compound) in or on food commodities garden beet tops at 4.0 parts per million (ppm) and garden beet roots at 0.5 ppm; and 2. PP 3E6565. Carrots (with regional restriction for use in Washington and Oregon only) at 10.0 ppm; and 3. PP 5E6914. Onion dry bulb, garlic bulb, and shallots at 0.3 ppm.
Chemical(s): Ethofumesate and Its Metabolites
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0537, must be received on or before April 21, 2006.
Contact: Barbara Madden, Registration Division (7505C), 703- 305-6463; e-mail: madden.barbara@epa.gov.

TITLE: XYLENE; REREGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY DECISION FOR LOW RISK PESTICIDE; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14511-14513
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2707.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide xylene, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide xylene through a modified, streamlined version of the public lineparticipation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions..
Chemical(s): Xylene
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0145, must be received on or before May 22, 2006.
Contact: Mark Perry, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-8024; fax number: (703) 308-7070; e-mail address: perry.mark@epa.gov.

TITLE: TRICHLOROMELAMINE, SULFONATED OLEIC ACID-SODIUM SALT, AND TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL; REREGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY DECISION FOR LOW RISK PESTICIDES; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume71 , Number 55, Page 14517-14519
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2710.htm
Purpose:This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (RED) for the pesticides trichloromelamine, sulfonated oleic acid-sodium salt and triethylene glycol, and opens a public comment period on these documents, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticides trichloromelamine, sulfonated oleic acid-sodium salt and triethylene glycol through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions.
Chemical(s): Trichloromelamine, Sulfonated Oleic Acid-Sodium Salt, and Triethylene Glycol
Comments: Comments must be received on or before May 22, 2006. Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number, by one of the following methods: For trichloromelamine, docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ- OPP-2005-0262. For sulfonated oleic acid-sodium salt, docket ID number EPA-HQ- OPP-2005-0261. For triethylene glycol, docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0250
Contact: For trichloromelamine, contact Jennifer Slotnick, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 305-0601; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: slotnick.jennifer@epa.gov. For sulfonated oleic acid-sodium salt, contact Kathryn Jakob, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 305-1328; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: jakob.kathryn@epa.gov. For triethylene glycol, contact Heather Garvie, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 308-0034; fax number: (703) 308-8481 e- mail address: garvie.heather@epa.gov.

TITLE: POLY(HEXAMETHYLENEBIGUANIDE) HYDROCHLORIDE; PARA TERTIARY-AMYLPHENOL AND SALTS; 1, 2-BENZISOTHIAZOLIN-3-ONE; AND AZADIOXABICYCLOOCTANE REREGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY DECISIONS; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 55, Page14514-14517
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2711.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) for the pesticides poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride hereafter referred to as PHMB, para tertiary-amylphenol and salts hereafter referred to as 4-t, 1, 2-benzisothiazolin-3-one hereafter referred to as BIT and azadioxabicyclooctane hereafter referred to as Aza. This notice opens a public comment period on these documents. EPA has reviewed PHMB, 4-t, BIT and Aza through the public participation process that the Agency uses.
Chemical(s): Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride; Para Tertiary-Amylphenol and Salts; 1, 2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one; and Azadioxabicyclooctane
Comments: Comments must be received on or before May 22, 2006. Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number, by one of the following methods: For PHMB, docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0305; for 4-t, docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005 -0181; for BIT, docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0200; for Aza, docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0186.
Contact: For PHMB, contact Jennifer Slotnick, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 305-0601; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: slotnick.jennifer@epa.gov. For 4-t, contact ShaRon Carlisle, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 308-6427; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: carlisle.shaRon@epa.gov. For BIT, contact Rebecca Miller, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 305-0012; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: miller.rebecca@epa.gov. For Aza, contact ShaRon Carlisle, Antimicrobials Division (7510C), telephone number: (703) 308-6427; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: carlisle.shaRon@epa.gov.

TITLE: PROPYLENE OXIDE; NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF REQUEST TO TERMINATE BIRD SEED USES ON PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS
Date of publication: March 22, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 55, Page14519-14521
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-22/p2713.htm
Purpose: EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of a request by ABERCO, Inc. to voluntarily terminate the use of the pesticide propylene oxide (PPO) on bird seed products. The request would terminate non-food PPO use as an insecticidal fumigant for the control of stored product insects in bird seed. The request would terminate bird seed use for all PPO product(s) registered in the U.S. EPA intends to grant this request at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request, or unless the registrant withdraws their request within this period. Upon acceptance of this request, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.
Chemical(s): Propylene Oxide;
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0253, must be received on or before April 21, 2006.
Contact: Susan Bartow, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 603-0065; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: bartow.susan@epa.gov.

TITLE: AZINPHOS-METHYL; ORDER TO AMEND REGISTRATIONS TO TERMINATE CERTAIN USES (see also next article)
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15731-15732]
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p4569.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the order to amend registrations to terminate certain uses, voluntarily requested by the registrant(s), namely Bayer Cropscience, Gowan Company, MakhteshimChemical Works, Microflo Company, and accepted by the Agency, of end-use products containing the pesticide azinphos-methyl. This cancellation order follows an August 17, 2005, Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests (70 FR 48395) (FRL-7733-3) from the azinphos- methyl registrants to amend their product registrations to terminate certain uses of azinphos-methyl from their product registrations. In the August 17, 2005 Notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the amendments to terminate uses, unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 60-day comment period that would merit its further review of these requests. The Agency received two comments on the notice. These comments have been reviewed and taken into consideration in the Agency's decision to proceed with this termination order.
Chemical(s): Azinphos-methyl
Comments: The cancellations are effective March 29, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification number (ID) EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0061;Contact: Diane Isbell, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-8154; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: isbell.diane@epa.gov.

EPA PUBLISHES CANCELLATION ORDER ON AZINPHOS-METHYL GROUP 2 USES
EPA issued an order in the Federal Register on March 29, 2006, amending registrations of azinphos methyl (AZM) products to terminate the "Group 2" uses, which include caneberries, cotton, cranberries, peaches/nectarines, potatoes, and Southern pine seed orchards. This order follows up on an August 2005 notice of receipt of requests from the registrants to voluntarily cancel the Group 2 uses. Under the existing stocks provisions, distribution or sale of AZM products for these uses is allowed until March 31, 2006, and use of these products is allowed until September 30, 2006.

During the public comment period, EPA received two comments in response to the August 17, 2005, Federal Register notice announcing the Agency's receipt of requests to terminate the Group 2 uses of AZM. These comments were reviewed and taken into consideration in developing the decision to proceed with this cancellation order. A response was sent to each commentor and placed in the public docket.

This order canceling certain AZM uses is the result of EPA's October 2001 AZM Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) and a May 2002 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Agency and the registrants of AZM pesticide products. The MOA implemented the provisions of the IRED by dividing the universe of AZM uses into three groups. Group 1 contained 23 crops with little use that were deleted from product labels immediately. Group 2 consists of the seven uses that are the subject of this order; these uses will be phased out in September 2006. Group 3 is comprised of the only 10 remaining uses of AZM, which have time-limited registrations that are currently being re-evaluated. The current order implements EPA's decision on the Group 2 uses of AZM.

EPA's March 29, 2006, Federal Register notice announcing the termination of the AZM Group 2 uses is available on the Agency's website at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. Additional information regarding AZM is available in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0061, available at http://www.regulations.gov, and on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/op/azm.htm . For more information, contact Diane Isbell at 703-308-8154 or isbell.diane@epa.gov.

TITLE: CHLOROACETANILIDE CUMULATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY (see also next article)
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 60, Page15726-15728
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p4505.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's cumulative risk assessment for the chloroacetanilide group of pesticides and opens a public comment period on these documents. As required by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), a cumulative risk assessment, which evaluates exposures based on a common mechanism of toxicity, was conducted to evaluate the risk from food, drinking water, and non- occupational exposure resulting from all registered uses of chloroacetanilide pesticides. The chloroacetanilides group includes the pesticides acetochlor, alachlor and butachlor; however, butachlor was not incorporated into the cumulative assessment because there are no U.S. registrations or established tolerances. The Agency is also releasing the Report on FQPA Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision (TRED) for Acetochlor concurrent with the release of the chloroacetanilide cumulative assessment. See EPA-HQ-OPP-2005- 0227 in the Notice section of this issue of the Federal Register.
Chemical(s): Chloroacetanilide
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0202, must be received on or before May 30, 2006.
Contact: Felicia Fort, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 305-7478; fax number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address:fort.felicia@epa.gov.

EPA RELEASES CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT ON A GROUP OF CLOSELY RELATED HERBICIDES
The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the cumulative risk associated with chloroacetanilide pesticides (acetochlor and alachlor) are below the Agency's level of concern. The chloroacetanilides group also includes butachlor, which was not incorporated into the cumulative assessment because there are no U.S. registrations or established tolerances. The chloroacetanilides share a common mechanism of toxicity (they cause a common toxic effect by the same sequence of major biochemical events) due to their ability to cause nasal tumors. EPA is inviting public comment until May 30, 2006, on its Choloracetanilide Cumulative Risk Assessment, issued on March 29, 2006. The chloroacetanilide cumulative assessment is available at http://www.regulations.gov in docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0202, and also will be available on the EPA's Assessing Pesticide Cumulative Risk Web page at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative/index.htm.

EPA also has evaluated the dietary (food and drinking water) human health risks associated with all currently registered uses of the herbicide acetochlor. The Agency has determined that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from exposures to the pesticide from food and non-occupational sources, including drinking water, residential uses and other non-occupational sources of pesticide exposure for which there is reliable information. EPA reassessed 12 tolerances (legal limits for pesticide residues in food) established for residues of acetochlor in/on raw agricultural commodities and they all met federal safety standards. The Agency reassessed the existing tolerances for acetochlor on the following commodities: corn forage, stover, and grain and the rotational crops, sorghum forage, stover, and grain; soybean forage, hay, and grain; and wheat forage, straw, and grain. Under federal law, acetochlor is not subject to reregistration -- EPA's comprehensive reevaluation and re-licensing process -- because it was initially registered as a pesticide active ingredient after November 1984, but its tolerances must be reassessed. The Agency's March 29, 2006, Federal Register Notice announcing its Report on Food Quality Protection Act Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision (TRED) for Acetochlor is available on the Agency's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. The Actochlor TRED is available at http://www.regulations.gov in docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0227, and will also be available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm.

EPA'S PESTICIDE PROGRAM IS MOVING IN MAY 2006
EPA's Pesticide Program will be moving to a new location the first week of May 2006. Effective May 8, 2006, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs' new location will be:

One Potomac Yard
2777 S. Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202

From May 1 - 5, 2006, staff will be unavailable at their assigned telephone numbers, and no personal or courier deliveries will be accepted at either our current location (Crystal Mall 2, Arlington, VA) or the new location.

Mail delivered by U.S. Postal Service will be held until May 8, 2006. The mailing address (Office of Pesticide Programs (Division Mail Code) Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20460) and mail codes will remain the same, except that the "C" in our current mail codes will change to a "P." Personal or courier deliveries to the Document Processing Desk (7504P) will be accepted beginning on May 8, 2006, at Room S4900, One Potomac Yard.

EPA'S FY 2005 ANNUAL REPORT ON IMPLEMENTING THE PESTICIDE REGISTRATION IMPROVEMENT ACT (PRIA) AVAILABLE ON WEB SITE
EPA's annual report for fiscal year 2005 on pesticide registration actions and decisions, as required by Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) is available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/fees/pria_annual_report_2005.htm. On January 23, 2004, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act was amended to initiate a system which provides for EPA to collect fees for certain pesticide registration applications and to make a decisions on those applications within specified time frames. This year's report details how the Agency met its deadlines, documents the registration services fees collected and how they were/are being spent, and describes ways in which EPA has/is improving the process. Some highlights include:

*Completion of 99.8 percent of the 1,098 applications on or before their PRIA due dates. Only 6 percent required that the due date be extended due to missing or deficient data or information. The report includes average decision times for each PRIA fee category or type of application. As of end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2005, 1,178 applications subject to PRIA were pending with the Agency.

*Formation of the Office of Pesticide Program's Labeling Committee to address broad labeling issues and to oversee revisions to the Label Review Manual. Of particular note is how the Committee prioritized stakeholder issues, obtained concurrence on issues to be addressed, and developed a Web site for labeling issues at: linehttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/labels/label_review.htm.

For more information about the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/fees/.

TITLE: FENHEXAMID; PESTICIDE TOLERANCE
Date of publication:March 29, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15612-15617
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p2975.htm
Purpose:This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of fenhexamid in or on ginseng and pear. The Interregional Research Project 4 (IR-4), Center for Minor Crop Pest Management requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
Chemical(s): Fenhexamid
Comments: This regulation is effective March 29, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 30, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0328.
Contact: Maria I. Rodriguez, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 305-6710; e-mail address: rodriguez.maria@epa.gov.

TITLE: FLONICAMID; PESTICIDE TOLERANCE
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15604-15608
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p2977.htm
Purpose: This regulation establishes a tolerance for combined residues of flonicamid and its metabolites in or on head and stem brassica and mustard greens. ISK Biosciences Corporation requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
Chemical(s): Flonicamid
Comments: This regulation is effective March 29, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 30, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0132.
Contact: Ann Sibold, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 305-6502; e-mail address: sibold.ann@epa.gov.

TITLE: TRIFLOXYSTROBIN; PESTICIDE TOLERANCE
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation:Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15597-15604
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p2978.htm
Purpose: This regulation establishes a tolerance for combined residues of trifloxystrobin (benzeneacetic acid, (E,E)-[alpha]-(methoxyimino)-2- [[[[1-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]-, methyl ester) and the free form of its acid metabolite CGA-321113 ((E,E)- methoxyimino-[2-[1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ethylideneaminooxymethyl]- phenyl]acetic acid) pesticide petition (PP 4F6892) in or on corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed at 0.04 parts per million (ppm), corn, sweet, forage at 0.6 ppm, corn, sweet, stover at 0.25 ppm, and corn, sweet, cannery waste at 0.6 ppm; (PP 3E6769) oat, forage at 0.3 ppm, oat, grain at 0.05 ppm, oat, hay at 0.3 ppm, oat, straw at 5.0 ppm, barley, grain at 0.05 ppm, barley, hay at 0.3 ppm, barley, straw at 5.0 ppm. Bayer Crop Science requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
Chemical(s): Trifloxystrobin
Comments: This regulation is effective March 29, 2006. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 30, 2006. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0299.
Contact: Janet Whitehurst, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 305-6129; e-mail address: whitehurst.janet@epa.gov.

GLYPHOSATE
TITLE: NOTICE OF FILING OF PESTICIDE PETITIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OR AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS FOR RESIDUES OF PESTICIDE CHEMICALS IN OR ON VARIOUS COMMODITIES
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15734-15735
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p4502.htm
Purpose: PPs 4E6878 and 5E6987. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR- 4), proposes to establish tolerances for residues of the herbicide glyphosate [(N-phosphonomethyl) glycine] sunflower and safflower at 25.0 parts per million (ppm) (PP 4E6878); vegetable, legume, group 6, except soybean at 8.0 ppm (PP 5E6987); and mulberry, Indian at 0.2 ppm (PP 5E6987). IR-4 further proposes to delete the present entire entries for sunflower, seed at 0.1 ppm; safflower, seed at 0.1 ppm; and vegetable, legume, group 6, except soybean at 6.0, as these tolerances are no longer needed.
Chemical(s): Various
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0177 must be received on or before April 28, 2006
Contact: Shaja R. Brothers, Registration Division (7505C), telephone number: (703) 308-3194; e-mail: brothers.shaja@epa.gov.

TITLE: ACETOCHLOR; TOLERANCE REASSESSMENT DECISION
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15730-15731
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p4503.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Report on Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision (TRED) for the chloroacetanilide pesticide acetochlor. The Agency's risk assessments and other related supporting documents also are available in the acetochlor docket. standards. This decision is being released concurrent with the Notice of Availability of the cumulative risk assessment for the chloroacetanilide pesticides which include acetochlor and alachlor. See EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0202 in the Notice section of this issue of the Federal Register.
Chemical(s): Acetochlor
Comments: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification number (ID) EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0227;
Contact: Felicia Fort, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 305-7478; fax number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address: fort.felicia@epa.gov.

EPA RELEASES REVISED RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR METHYL BROMIDE COMMODITY USES; SEEKS COMMENT ON OPTIONS TO REDUCE RISKS (see also next article)
On Wednesday, March 29, 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of its revised human health risk assessment for the commodity uses of methyl bromide, which was initially issued for comment on July 13, 2005. Methyl bromide is a broad-spectrum fumigant with a variety of pest control uses, and, is being phased out under the Montreal protocol. However, critical use exemptions will still be available under special circumstances. While most often used as a soil fumigant, methyl bromide is used on commodities in enclosures, chambers, and structural food processing/storage facilities, and has associated food residue tolerances. These commodity uses are the focus of the current risk assessment.

The Agency is seeking public comment by May 30, 2006, on risk-reduction options, including cost and benefits information, in order to develop a risk management decision that both meets the FQPA safety standard and provides for feasible and practical product use. The risk-reduction options identified are intended to address potential risks of concern to bystanders and workers associated with methyl bromide's commodity uses. Additionally, EPA is making available for comment the Agency's Office of Atmospheric Programs' assessment of the number of UV-related skin cancer incidents and deaths possibly due to ozone depletion caused by methyl bromide's commodity uses. Because the risks clearly result from use of methyl bromide products registered by the Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs as pesticides under FIFRA, the Agency believes it is appropriate to consider these cancer risks as part of the methyl bromide reregistration process.

Later this year, EPA plans to issue a revised risk assessment for the pre-plant soil fumigation uses of methyl bromide and several alternatives (metam sodium, dazomet, and chloropicrin) to consider potential risks and risk management strategies jointly for these pesticides.

By conducting assessments of older pesticides like methyl bromide, EPA is ensuring that all registered pesticides continue to meet current health and safety standards. The Agency's Phase 5 Human Health Risk Assessment for Commodity Uses of Methyl Bromide, and Risk Mitigation Options paper summarizing the risks and setting forth an initial 17 options for comment, are available in methyl bromide docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0123 at http://www.regulations.gov . The Agency's assessment of UV-related skin cancer incidents and deaths is also available in the methyl bromide docket.

EPA's March 29, 2006, Federal Register notice is available in the docket, at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr, and on the Agency's methyl bromide web page, http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/methyl_bromide/ . For information about EPA?s ongoing review of soil fumigant pesticides, including methyl bromide, see http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/index.htm.

TITLE: METHYL BROMIDE REVISED RISK ASSESSMENT FOR USES IN ENCLOSURES, CHAMBERS AND STRUCTURAL FOOD PROCESSING/STORAGE FACILITIES; NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND SOLICITATION OF RISK REDUCTION OPTIONS
Date of publication: March 29, 2006
Citation: Volume 71, Number 60, Page 15728-15730
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/March/Day-29/p4568.htm
Purpose: This notice announces the availability of EPA's revised risk assessment for the pesticide methyl bromide's uses in enclosures, chambers and structural food processing/storage facilities. In addition, this notice solicits public comment on risk reduction options for methyl bromide's commodity uses. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for uses in enclosures, chambers and structural food processing/ storage facilities of methyl bromide (i.e. uses that result in a food tolerance).
Chemical(s): Methyl Bromide
Comments: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0123, must be received on or before May 30, 2006.
Contact: Steven Weiss, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), telephone number: (703) 308-8293; fax number: (703)308-8005; e-mail address: weiss.steven@epa.gov.

EPA RELEASES RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR ORGANIC ARSENIC HERBICIDES; SEEKS RISK MANAGEMENT IDEAS
EPA is evaluating the potential risks associated with registered uses of the organic arsenic herbicides MSMA, DSMA, CAMA, and cacodylic acid, and has identified few risks directly associated with use of these herbicides. However, the Agency is concerned about the potential transformation of products applied as organic arsenical herbicides to inorganic arsenic in plants, drinking water, and soil. The Agency seeks public comment by June 5, 2006, on its human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments for the organic arsenic herbicides, as well as risk management ideas or proposals. Background information and questions to guide comments are provided in a "commenter's guide," available in the docket. Responses will be useful to the Agency in revising the risk assessments, if appropriate, and developing an informed, practical, and protective reregistration eligibility decision for the organic arsenicals.

The organic arsenic herbicides are used primarily on cotton and turf, including golf courses, home lawns, recreational areas such as school yards and athletic fields, and rights-of-way. Overall, use in the U.S. appears to be declining. Arsenic is common in the environment and occurs naturally in soil and in surface and groundwater.Arsenic does not degrade over time; it can only transform into other forms of arsenic -- for example, organic arsenic may transform to inorganic arsenic or vice versa --or be redistributed through runoff, leaching, erosion, volatilization, or plant uptake. State and federal agencies usually monitor for total arsenic in soil and water, so national data for organic arsenic are not available. EPA therefore used a health protective, stepwise approach in its risk assessment, calculating exposure to each of the organic arsenicals alone, as well as considering the potential exposure to inorganic arsenic as a transformation product. Information from the public to clarify the geographic extent of organic arsenical herbicide use, as well as arsenic's potential for buildup in soil, its contribution to water, and exposure to homeowners and to non-target species, would be useful to the Agency in further refining the organic arsenicals risk assessment.

EPA Pesticide Program's assessment of organic arsenical herbicides takes into account the possible contribution of these herbicides to vulnerable sources of drinking water. However, it should be noted that EPA's National Primary Drinking Water Standard for arsenic is based upon the risks of bladder cancer in humans exposed to inorganic arsenic, not organic arsenic. Therefore, the organic arsenical herbicide assessment does not affect or change EPA's drinking water standard for arsenic.

EPA's risk assessments, commenter's guide, and related documents are available in the organic arsenic herbicides docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0201 at http://www.regulations.gov. The Agency's April 5, 2006, Federal Register notice is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. For additional information, see the Agency's cacodylic acid and MSMA, DSMA and CAMA reregistration Web pages at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm .


IMPORT TOLERANCE DATA REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN NAFTA GUIDANCE
In an April 5, 2006, Federal Register notice, EPA has announced the availability of detailed guidance on data requirements in the U.S. and Canada for establishing import tolerances, or maximum pesticide residue levels allowed in or on food or feed commodities imported from other countries. The guidance is consistent with the goals of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and does not change U.S. data requirements for obtaining import tolerances in this country. Import tolerances must meet the same food safety standards as other tolerances established in the U.S. This common approach to the establishment of import tolerances/Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) is expected to promote trade between North America and the rest of the world and maintain North American high standards for food safety. The common set of data requirements presented in the guidance document typically results in a harmonized data set, as well as a more efficient and cost effective review process for obtaining import tolerances in North America.

The NAFTA guidance document explains the product chemistry, residue chemistry, and toxicology data required to establish import tolerances/MRLs in the U.S. and Canada. Mexico is not participating in the project at this time. Petitioners must still submit separate import tolerance/MRL petitions to the U.S. and Canada, and must adhere to each country's specific formatting and other requirements. Canada and the U.S. encourage the concurrent submission of petitions so that joint review projects can be initiated. Joint review of petitions will help harmonize the setting of import tolerances in Canada and the U.S., promoting free trade within North America.

In developing this final guidance, EPA considered comments received on a proposed version of the NAFTA import tolerance guidance document, published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2003. This final guidance document completes the NAFTA project on import tolerances. EPA's Federal Register notices are available on the Agency's website at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. The NAFTA import tolerance guidance document is available on EPA's NAFTA Technical Working Group website at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/naftatwg/, and a Q & A document on the Agency's NAFTA import tolerance guidance is available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/naftaqa.htm. For additional information, see docket number OPP-2002-0281 at http://www.regulations.gov

EPA SIGNS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REGARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES
EPA has signed a Settlement Agreement that resolves a lawsuit brought against the EPA by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The Settlement Agreement establishes a series of deadlines for the Agency to make "effects determinations" for the pesticide atrazine to determine its potential effect on any of 21 named endangered or threatened species, or their designated critical habitat. The Agency will make "effects determinations" to determine whether its action: (1) has no effect on any of the named species; (2) may affect but is not likely to adversely affect any of the named species; or (3) may affect and is likely to adversely affect any of the named species. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, if the Agency determines that its action "may affect and is likely to adversely affect" one or more of the 21 named species or their designated critical habitat, the Agency will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service.

In addition, during the pendency of the schedule for effects determinations outlined in the Settlement Agreement, the plaintiff agrees not to seek any injunction or other use restriction for atrazine. In the event EPA makes a "may affect and is likely to adversely affect" determination for atrazine on any of the listed species named in the lawsuit, the plaintiff reserves the right to seek use restrictions for atrazine by filing a new complaint with the Court. EPA requested public comment on the proposed Settlement Agreement and considered the comments received prior to signing this agreement. EPA has posted a copy of the Settlement Agreement at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/endangere/es-settlement-atrazine.pdf and a fact sheet at www.epa.gov/espp.

NEW EDITION OF HISPANIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PAGE FOCUSES ON PESTICIDESContact: Lina Younes, (202) 564-4355 / younes.lina@epa.gov

EPA announced a new Hispanic environmental health page on pesticides in its Spanish-language portal. The new page discusses health and environmental issues associated with the proper use of pesticides and informational resources in Spanish and English. This Hispanic Web site is part of the agency's continuing expansion of outreach to the Hispanic community in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Hispanic environmental health page, "El medio ambiente y su salud," focuses on the agency's overall efforts to educate Hispanics, researchers, and health care providers on how environmental health issues affect the different Hispanic communities. The page is updated regularly with new information on developments and policy. Since its launch last year, this popular page has covered issues such as asthma, mold and carbon monoxide. This segment of EPA's Spanish-language portal will feature other environmental issues such as green technology and drinking water in the near future.

New edition on pesticides (http://www.epa.gov/espanol/pesticidas.htm)

Information on "El medio ambiente y su salud" (http://www.epa.gov/espanol/saludhispana/index.htm)

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension