EPA Pesticide Program Update
from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 10/21/02
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

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IN THIS UPDATE:

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION
OF ALL PRODUCT REGISTRATIONS FOR FENAMIPHOS

On Friday, September 27, 2002, EPA published in the Federal Register a
notice announcing the request for voluntary cancellation of all product
registrations for fenamiphos (Nemacur), effective as of  May 31, 2007.  EPA
intends to grant the request for voluntary cancellation for fenamiphos
provided no adverse comments are received during the public comment
period.  Comments on the requested registration cancellations,
identified by docket ID number OPP-0169, must be submitted to the docket
and received on or before October 28, 2002.

As part of the interim reregistration eligibility decision (IRED)
process, the Agency assessed human health and ecological risks
associated with the use of the organophosphate (OP) pesticide,
fenamiphos.  Based on the risk assessments, the Agency identified
additional data requirements to better characterize risks, as well as
other measures that need to be implemented to mitigate risks of concern.
Rather than committing to develop the additional data, the registrant
decided to request voluntary cancellation of all their registrations for
products containing fenamiphos.

In conjunction with the request for voluntary cancellation, Bayer
Corporation has submitted revised labels to the Agency to implement the
risk mitigation measures and changes to the product labels identified in
the fenamiphos IRED document.  Additionally, Bayer has agreed to amend
their existing fenamiphos product registrations to:

   Prohibit all use and formulation for use on extremely vulnerable
   soils after May 31, 2005;

   Cap production at 500,000 pounds for fenamiphos manufacturing-use
   products in the United States for the year ending May 31, 2003; and

   Cap production for each subsequent year at 20% of the previous year's
   production during the 5-year phase out period.

As of May 31, 2007, all sale and distribution by Bayer, the sole
registrant, of existing stocks (manufacturing-use and end-use products),
shall be prohibited. Persons other than the registrant may sell and
distribute such products until May 31, 2008. Use of stocks in the
channels of trade may continue until depleted, except where prohibited
by the label. Any distribution, sale, or use of existing stocks after
the effective date of the cancellation order that the Agency intends to
issue that is not consistent with the terms of that order will be
considered a violation of section 2(a)(2)(K) and/or 12(a)(1)(A) of
FIFRA.

Additional information on fenamiphos is available on EPA's website at
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/status.htm. The Federal Register notice
is available from EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr .

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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
Information Center (NPIC), toll-free, at:
1-800-858-7378, by E-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu,
or by visiting their website at:
http://npic.orst.edu

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