EPA Pesticide Program Update
from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 01/07/02
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides
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IN THIS UPDATE:

EPA COMPLETES TOLERANCE REVOCATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS FOR SIX PESTICIDES

EPA has published a final rule establishing, modifying, and revok-
ing specific tolerances for residues of the herbicides dichlobenil,
metribuzin, pendimethalin, and terbacil; the plant growth regulator
diphenylamine, and the insecticide sulprofos.  EPA is revoking
certain tolerances because EPA has canceled the food uses
associated with them.  This final rule revokes 29 tolerances, one
of which (sulprofos) is counted toward the August, 2002 dead-
line to reassess 66% of the existing tolerances.  The tolerances
associated with the other 28 revocations were reassessed and
counted previously through the Reregistration Eligibility Decision
(RED) process.  This regulation is effective March 5, 2002.
EPA must receive objections and requests for hearings, identified
by docket control number OPP-300734A, on or before
February 4, 2002.

Also this final rule implements RED decisions for the above
mentioned pesticides (except for sulprofos which was canceled)
by establishing and modifying specific tolerances as well as revok-
ing tolerances.  This final rule establishes, modifies, and revokes
the tolerances for residues of metribuzin, dichlobenil, diphenylamine,
sulprofos, pendimethalin, and terbacil in or on certain specified
commodities.  The tolerances revoked by this rule are no longer
necessary to cover residues of the relevant pesticides in or on
domestically treated commodities or commodities treated outside
but imported into the United States.  These pesticides are no longer
used on those specified commodities within the United States, and
no one commented that there was a need for EPA to retain the
tolerances to cover residues in or on imported foods.  In the Federal
Register of October 16, 1998 (63 FR 55565), EPA issued a
proposed rule to establish, revise, or revoke the tolerances listed in
this final rule.  EPA proposed revocations pertaining to pesticides
whose registrations were canceled because the registrant failed to
pay the required maintenance fee and/or the registrant voluntarily
canceled all registered uses associated with the tolerance revoca-
tions for these pesticides.  Also, the October 16, 1998 proposal
invited public comment for consideration and for support of
tolerance retention under FFDCA standards.

The Federal Register notice, which provides more information
on the affected tolerances and comments EPA received on the
proposal, is available on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2001/December/Day-05/p30103.htm.
Information on status of tolerance reassessment is available at
www.epa.gov/pesticides/tolerance.

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EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external
stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest
in OPP activities and decisions.  We have established
an electronic listserve for people who want to keep abreast
of pesticide issues and decisions. This update service is part
of EPA's continuing effort to improve public access to
Federal pesticide information.  

For general questions on pesticides and pesticide
poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at:
1-800-858-7378, by E-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu,
or by visiting their Website at:
http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/

For information about ongoing activities in the
Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage
at:  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

Or call or write us directly at:

Communication Services Branch
Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2403
703-305-5017