Benzaldehyde, Captafol, Hexaconazole, Paraformaldehyde, Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, and Tetradifon; Tolerance Actions, 24586-24590 [06-3853]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.’’ This
final rule directly regulates growers,
food processors, food handlers and food
retailers, not States. This action does not
alter the relationships or distribution of
power and responsibilities established
by Congress in the preemption
provisions of section 408(n)(4) of the
FFDCA. For these same reasons, the
Agency has determined that this rule
does not have any ‘‘tribal implications’’
as described in Executive Order 13175,
entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR
67249, November 6, 2000). Executive
Order 13175, requires EPA to develop
an accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by tribal
officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have tribal
implications’’ is defined in the
Executive order to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the
relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.’’ This
rule will not have substantial direct
effects on tribal governments, on the
relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, as
specified in Executive Order 13175.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with RULES
XI. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of this final
rule in the Federal Register. This final
rule is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by
5 U.S.C. 804(2).
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
Dated: April 14, 2006.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution
Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
40 CFR Part 180
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
Benzaldehyde, Captafol,
Hexaconazole, Paraformaldehyde,
Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, and
Tetradifon; Tolerance Actions
PART 174—[AMENDED]
AGENCY:
I
1. The authority citation for part 174
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136–136y; 21 U.S.C.
346a and 371.
2. Section 174.452 is added to subpart
W to read as follows:
I
§ 174.452 Bacillus thuringiensis VIP3A
protein and the genetic material necessary
for its production; temporary exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance.
Bacillus thuringiensis VIP3A protein
and the genetic material necessary for
its production is temporarily exempt
from the requirement of a tolerance
when used as a vegetative-insecticidal
protein in cotton seed, cotton oil, cotton
meal, cotton hay, cotton hulls, cotton
forage, and cotton gin byproducts.
Genetic material necessary for its
production means the genetic material
which comprise genetic encoding the
VIP3A protein and its regulatory
regions. Regulatory regions are the
genetic material, such as promoters,
terminators, and enhancers, that control
expression of the genetic material
encoding the VIP3A protein. This
temporary exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance expires May
1, 2007.
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
§ 180.1247
I
[Removed].
2. Section 180.1247 is Removed.
[FR Doc. 06–3852 Filed 4–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
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Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: EPA is revoking specific
tolerances and tolerance exemptions for
residues of the insecticides
paraformaldehyde and tetradifon;
fungicides captafol, hexaconazole, and
sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate; and
bee repellent benzaldehyde. EPA
canceled food use registrations or
deleted food uses from registrations
following requests for voluntary
cancellation or use deletion by the
registrants, or non-payment of
registration maintenance fees. Also,
stakeholders have withdrawn their
support for import tolerances for
captafol and hexaconazole. The
regulatory actions in this document
contribute toward the Agency’s
tolerance reassessment requirements of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA) section 408(q), as amended
by the Food Quality Protection Act
(FQPA) of 1996. By law, EPA is required
by August 2006 to reassess the
tolerances in existence on August 2,
1996. The regulatory actions in this
document pertain to the revocation of
39 tolerances and tolerance exemptions
of which 38 count as tolerance
reassessments toward the August, 2006
review deadline.
DATES: This regulation is effective April
26, 2006. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
June 26, 2006.
ADDRESSES: To submit a written
objection or hearing request follow the
detailed instructions as provided in
Unit IV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2005–0322. All documents in the
docket are listed on the
www.regulations.gov website.
(EDOCKET, EPA’s electronic public
docket and comment system was
replaced on November 25, 2005, by an
enhanced Federal-wide electronic
docket management and comment
system located at https://
www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online
instructions.) Although listed in the
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index, some information is not publicly
available, i.e., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
theInternet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either electronically in
EDOCKET or in hard copy at the Public
Information and Records Integrity
Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall
#2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This
docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to
4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The docket
telephone number is (703) 305–5805.
• Important Note: OPP will be
moving to a new location the first week
of May 2006. As a result, from Friday,
April 28 to Friday, May 5, 2006, the
OPP Regulatory Public Docket will NOT
be accepting any deliveries at the
Crystal Mall #2 address and this facility
will be closed to the public. Beginning
on May 8, 2006, the OPP Regulatory
Public Docket will reopen at 8:30 a.m.
and deliveries will be accepted in Rm.
S–4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive,
Arlington, VA 22202. The mail code for
the mailing address will change to
(7502P), but will otherwise remain the
same. The OPP Regulatory Public
Docket telephone number and hours of
operation will remain the same after the
move.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Nevola, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
0001; telephone number: (703) 308–
8037; e-mail address:
nevola.joseph@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with RULES
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS 111), e.g.,
agricultural workers; greenhouse,
nursery, and floriculture workers;
farmers.
• Animal production (NAICS 112),
e.g., cattle ranchers and farmers, dairy
cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
• Food manufacturing (NAICS 311),
e.g., agricultural workers; farmers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture
workers; ranchers; pesticide applicators.
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• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
32532), e.g., agricultural workers;
commercial applicators; farmers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture
workers; residential users.
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of this Document and Other Related
Information?
In addition to using EDOCKET (https://
www.epa.gov/edocket/), you may access
this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A
frequently updated electronic version of
40 CFR part 180 is available at E-CFR
Beta Site Two at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.
II. Background
A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
In the Federal Register of December
23, 2005 (70 FR 76224) (FRL–7751–3),
EPA issued a proposed rule to revoke
certain tolerances and tolerance
exemptions for residues of the
insecticides paraformaldehyde and
tetradifon; fungicides captafol,
hexaconazole, and sodium
dimethyldithiocarbamate; and bee
repellent benzaldehyde. Also, the
proposal of December 23, 2005 provided
a 60–day comment period which invited
public comment for consideration and
for support of tolerance retention under
the FFDCA standards.
In this final rule, EPA is revoking
these tolerances and tolerance
exemptions because they pertain to uses
no longer current or registered under
FIFRA in the United States and do not
pertain to commodities currently
imported into the United States. The
tolerances and tolerance exemptions
revoked by this final 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. It is EPA’s general
practice to revoke those tolerances and
tolerance exemptions for residues of
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pesticide active ingredients on crop uses
for which there are no active
registrations under FIFRA, unless any
person in comments on the proposal
indicates a need for the tolerance or
tolerance exemption to cover residues in
or on imported commodities or
domestic commodities legally treated.
EPA has historically been concerned
that retention of tolerances that are not
necessary to cover residues in or on
legally treated foods may encourage
misuse of pesticides within the United
States. Thus, it is EPA’s policy to issue
a final rule revoking those tolerances for
residues of pesticide chemicals for
which there are no active registrations
under FIFRA, unless any person
commenting on the proposal
demonstrates a need for the tolerance to
cover residues in or on imported
commodities or domestic commodities
legally treated.
Generally, EPA will proceed with the
revocation of these tolerances on the
grounds discussed in Unit II.A. if one of
the following conditions applies:
1. Prior to EPA’s issuance of a section
408(f) order requesting additional data
or issuance of a section 408(d) or (e)
order revoking the tolerances on other
grounds, commenters retract the
comment identifying a need for the
tolerance to be retained.
2. EPA independently verifies that the
tolerance is no longer needed.
3. The tolerance is not supported by
data that demonstrate that the tolerance
meets the requirements under FQPA.
Today’s final rule does not revoke
those tolerances for which EPA received
comments stating a need for the
tolerance to be retained. In response to
the proposal published in the Federal
Register of December 23, 2005 (70 FR
76224), EPA received one comment
during the 60–day public comment
period, as follows:
Benzaldehyde—comment by WSDA.
EPA received a comment from the
Washington State Department of
Agriculture (WSDA), which requested
that the Agency determine whether
revocation of the tolerance exemption in
40 CFR 180.1229 for benzaldehyde,
when used as a bee repellent, would
render honey extracted from hives
treated with benzaldehyde to be
considered adulterated. WSDA stated
that benzaldehyde is still being
distributed for use by beekeepers and
requested retention of the tolerance
exemption if its revocation would cause
extracted honey from treated hives to be
adulterated. In an earlier
communication, just prior to the
comment submission, WSDA stated that
benzaldehyde use as a bee repellent was
not a pesticide use under 40 CFR 152.8.
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Agency response. A tolerance or an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance is a requirement under FFDCA
section 408 for pesticide residue in or
on food. There have been no active
pesticide registrations in the United
States for benzaldehyde since 1991, and
therefore the tolerance exemption in 40
CFR 180.1229 is no longer needed. EPA
agrees with WSDA that use of a product
intended to force bees from hives for the
collection of honey crops is not
considered to be a pesticidal use under
40 CFR 152.8 because it is not intended
for use against ‘‘pests’’ as defined in 40
CFR 152.5. Such a non-pesticidal use
does not require a tolerance or tolerance
exemption. EPA expects that revocation
of the tolerance exemption in 40 CFR
180.1229 would mean that such use of
benzaldehyde, in a product which
contains no pesticide active ingredients,
intended as a bee repellent in the
collection of honey crops, would not
render them adulterated under FFDCA
section 408. Therefore, the Agency
believes that such benzaldehyde
treatment of honeycombs even after the
revocation of the tolerance exemption in
40 CFR 180.1229 would not prevent sale
of honey commodities. Consequently,
EPA is revoking the tolerance
exemption in 40 CFR 180.1229 for
residues of benzaldehyde when used as
a bee repellent in the harvesting of
honey. Persons interested in the
regulation of benzaldehyde as a food
additive under FFDCA section 409
should consult the Food and Drug
Administration.
No comments were received by the
Agency concerning the following.
1. Captafol. The Republic of
Indonesia’s Indonesian Ministry of
Agriculture had commented on a
proposed rule to revoke tolerances for
captafol and several other pesticides,
published in the Federal Register of
June 9, 1993 (58 FR 32320) (FRL–4183–
6). The commenter had stated that the
use of captafol was being re-evaluated in
that country, might undergo a phase out,
and requested that EPA not revoke the
onion, potato, and tomato tolerances in
40 CFR 180.267. In the Federal Register
of July 21, 1999 (64 FR 39049) (FRL–
6092–7), EPA published a final rule in
which it revoked specific captafol
tolerances and responded to the 1993
comment received from the Republic of
Indonesia by stating that the Agency
would not take final action on the three
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.267 for
residues of captafol on onion, potato,
and tomato at that time. In April 2005,
EPA determined that captafol has not
been registered in Indonesia since 1998.
Also, the Indonesian Ministry of
Agriculture verified that it no longer
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had a continuing interest in the three
captafol tolerances for importation
purposes. Because the tolerances are no
longer needed, EPA is revoking the
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.267 for
residues of the fungicide captafol in or
on onion, potato, and tomato.
2. Hexaconazole. There have been no
active U.S. registrations for
hexaconazole on banana since 1992.
Recently, Syngenta has informed EPA
that it has voluntarily chosen to no
longer support the hexaconazole
tolerance on banana for the purpose of
importation. Consequently, the
tolerance is no longer needed.
Therefore, EPA is revoking the tolerance
in 40 CFR 180.488 for residues of the
fungicide hexaconazole in or on banana.
3. Paraformaldehyde. The last active
registration for paraformaldehyde use as
an insecticide for the soil treatment of
sugar beets was canceled in 1989 due to
non-payment of the maintenance fee,
and therefore the tolerance exemptions
are no longer needed. EPA is revoking
the tolerance exemptions in 40 CFR
180.1024 for residues of the insecticide
paraformaldehyde in or on beet, sugar,
roots and beet, sugar, tops, when
applied to the soil not later than
planting.
4. Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate.
The last active registration for use of
sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate on
melons was canceled in 1993 due to
non-payment of the maintenance fee,
and therefore the tolerance is no longer
needed. EPA is revoking the tolerance in
40 CFR 180.152 for residues of the
fungicide sodium
dimethyldithiocarbamate, calculated as
zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, in or
on melon.
5. Tetradifon. The last tetradifon
registrations were canceled in 1990 due
to non-payment of maintenance fees.
Uniroyal Chemical Company (which
later became part of Crompton
Corporation) had commented to a
proposed revocation of tetradifon
tolerances published in the Federal
Register of August 1, 2001 (66 FR
39705) (FRL–6786–4). Uniroyal noted
that it had submitted certain studies to
EPA in 1998 and 1996, and requested
that EPA not revoke any of the
tetradifon tolerances in 40 CFR 180.174.
In the Federal Register of January 24,
2003 (68 FR 3425) (FRL–7187–3), EPA
published a final rule and responded to
Uniroyal’s comment by stating that the
Agency would not take final action on
the tetradifon tolerances in 40 CFR
180.174 at that time. During follow-up
communication, EPA received a letter
from Crompton Corporation (now
Chemtura Corporation) that it no longer
supported retention of the tolerances for
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tetradifon. Because the tolerances are no
longer needed, EPA is revoking all the
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.174 for
residues of the insecticide tetradifon in
or on apple; apricot; cherry; citron,
citrus; crabapples; cucumber; fig; fig,
dried fruit; grapefruit; grape; hop, dried;
hop, vine; lemon; lime; meat; melon;
milk; nectarine; orange, sweet; peach;
pear; peppermint; plum, prune, fresh;
pumpkin; quince; spearmint, tops;
strawberry; tangerine; tea, dried; tomato;
and winter squash.
B. What is the Agency’s Authority for
Taking this Action?
EPA’s general practice is to revoke
tolerances for residues of pesticide
active ingredients on crops for which
FIFRA registrations no longer exist and
on which the pesticide may therefore no
longer be used in the United States. EPA
has historically been concerned that
retention of tolerances that are not
necessary to cover residues in or on
legally treated foods may encourage
misuse of pesticides within the United
States. Nonetheless, EPA will establish
and maintain tolerances even when
corresponding domestic uses are
canceled if the tolerances, which EPA
refers to as ‘‘import tolerances,’’ are
necessary to allow importation into the
United States of food containing such
pesticide residues. However, where
there are no imported commodities that
require these import tolerances, the
Agency believes it is appropriate to
revoke tolerances for unregistered
pesticides in order to prevent potential
misuse.
C. When Do These Actions Become
Effective?
These actions become effective on the
date of publication of this final rule in
the Federal Register because their
associated uses have been canceled for
several years. The Agency believes that
treated commodities have had sufficient
time for passage through the channels of
trade.
Any commodities listed in the
regulatory text of this document that are
treated with the pesticides subject to
this final rule, and that are in the
channels of trade following the
tolerance revocations, shall be subject to
FFDCA section 408(1)(5), as established
by the FQPA. Under this section, any
residues of these pesticides in or on
such food shall not render the food
adulterated so long as it is shown to the
satisfaction of the Food and Drug
Administration that: (1) The residue is
present as the result of an application or
use of the pesticide at a time and in a
manner that was lawful under FIFRA,
and (2) the residue does not exceed the
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level that was authorized at the time of
the application or use to be present on
the food under a tolerance or exemption
from tolerance. Evidence to show that
food was lawfully treated may include
records that verify the dates that the
pesticide was applied to such food.
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D. What is the Contribution to Tolerance
Reassessment?
By law, EPA is required by August
2006 to reassess the tolerances in
existence on August 2, 1996. As of April
18, 2006, EPA has reassessed over 8,070
tolerances. This document revokes a
total of 39 tolerances and tolerance
exemptions of which 38 are counted as
tolerance reassessments toward the
August, 2006 review deadline of FFDCA
section 408(q), as amended by FQPA in
1996.
III. Are There Any International Trade
Issues Raised by this Final Action?
EPA is working to ensure that the U.S.
tolerance reassessment program under
FQPA does not disrupt international
trade. EPA considers Codex Maximum
Residue Limits (MRLs) in setting U.S.
tolerances and in reassessing them.
MRLs are established by the Codex
Committee on Pesticide Residues, a
committee within the Codex
Alimentarius Commission, an
international organization formed to
promote the coordination of
international food standards. When
possible, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with Codex MRLs. EPA may
establish a tolerance that is different
from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA
section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA
explain in a Federal Register document
the reasons for departing from the
Codex level. EPA’s effort to harmonize
with Codex MRLs is summarized in the
tolerance reassessment section of
individual REDs. The U.S. EPA has
developed guidance concerning
submissions for import tolerance
support (65 FR 35069, June 1, 2000)
(FRL–6559–3). This guidance will be
made available to interested persons.
Electronic copies are available on the
internet at https://www.epa.gov/. On the
Home Page select ‘‘Laws and
Regulations,’’ then select ‘‘Regulations
and Proposed Rules’’ and then look up
the entry for this document under
‘‘Federal Register—Environmental
Documents.’’ You can also go directly to
the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
IV. Objections and Hearing Requests
Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, as
amended by FQPA, any person may file
an objection to any aspect of this
regulation and may also request a
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hearing on those objections. The EPA
procedural regulations which govern the
submission of objections and requests
for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178.
Although the procedures in those
regulations require some modification to
reflect the amendments made to FFDCA
by FQPA, EPA will continue to use
those procedures, with appropriate
adjustments, until the necessary
modifications can be made. The new
section 408(g) of FFDCA provides
essentially the same process for persons
to ‘‘object’’ to a regulation for an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance issued by EPA under new
section 408(d) of FFDCA, as was
provided in the old sections 408 and
409 of FFDCA. However, the period for
filing objections is now 60 days, rather
than 30 days.
A. What Do I Need to Do to File an
Objection or Request a Hearing?
You must file your objection or
request a hearing on this regulation in
accordance with the instructions
provided in this unit and in 40 CFR part
178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA,
you must identify docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0322 in the subject
line on the first page of your
submission. All requests must be in
writing, and must be mailed or
delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or
before June 26, 2006.
1. Filing the request. Your objection
must specify the specific provisions in
the regulation that you object to, and the
grounds for the objections (40 CFR
178.25). If a hearing is requested, the
objections must include a statement of
the factual issues(s) on which a hearing
is requested, the requestor’s contentions
on such issues, and a summary of any
evidence relied upon by the objector (40
CFR 178.27). Information submitted in
connection with an objection or hearing
request may be claimed confidential by
marking any part or all of that
information as CBI. Information so
marked will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR part 2. A copy of the
information that does not contain CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public record. Information not marked
confidential may be disclosed publicly
by EPA without prior notice.
Mail your written request to: Office of
the Hearing Clerk (1900L),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001. You may also deliver
your request to the Office of the Hearing
Clerk in Suite 350, 1099 14th St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20005. The Office of
the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
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excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number for the Office of the Hearing
Clerk is (202) 564–6255.
2. Copies for the Docket. In addition
to filing an objection or hearing request
with the Hearing Clerk as described in
Unit IV.A.1., you should also send a
copy of your request to the PIRIB for its
inclusion in the official record that is
described in ADDRESSES. Mail your
copies, identified by docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0322, to: Public
Information and Records Integrity
Branch, Information Resources and
Services Division (7502C), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
0001. In person or by courier, bring a
copy to the location of the PIRIB
described in ADDRESSES. You may also
send an electronic copy of your request
via e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov.
Please use an ASCII file format and
avoid the use of special characters and
any form of encryption. Copies of
electronic objections and hearing
requests will also be accepted on disks
in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file
format. Do not include any CBI in your
electronic copy. You may also submit an
electronic copy of your request at many
Federal Depository Libraries.
B. When Will the Agency Grant a
Request for a Hearing?
A request for a hearing will be granted
if the Administrator determines that the
material submitted shows the following:
There is a genuine and substantial issue
of fact; there is a reasonable possibility
that available evidence identified by the
requestor would, if established resolve
one or more of such issues in favor of
the requestor, taking into account
uncontested claims or facts to the
contrary; and resolution of the factual
issues(s) in the manner sought by the
requestor would be adequate to justify
the action requested (40 CFR 178.32).
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
In this final rule, EPA revokes specific
tolerances established under FFDCA
section 408. The Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) has exempted this
type of action (i.e., a tolerance
revocation for which extraordinary
circumstances do not exist) from review
under Executive Order 12866, entitled
Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993). Because this
rule has been exempted from review
under Executive Order 12866 due to its
lack of significance, this rule is not
subject to Executive Order 13211,
Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with RULES
24590
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001). This final rule does not
contain any information collections
subject to OMB approval under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any
enforceable duty or contain any
unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public
Law 104–4). Nor does it require any
special considerations as required by
Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal
Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994); or OMB review or
any other Agency action under
Executive Order 13045, entitled
Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
Agency consideration of voluntary
consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(NTTAA), Public Law 104–13, section
12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Pursuant to
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agency
previously assessed whether revocations
of tolerances might significantly impact
a substantial number of small entities
and concluded that, as a general matter,
these actions do not impose a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. This analysis
was published on December 17, 1997
(62 FR 66020), and was provided to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration. Taking into
account this analysis, and available
information concerning the pesticides
listed in this rule, the Agency hereby
certifies that this final rule will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. In
a memorandum dated May 25, 2001,
EPA determined that eight conditions
must all be satisfied in order for an
import tolerance or tolerance exemption
revocation to adversely affect a
significant number of small entity
importers, and that there is a negligible
joint probability of all eight conditions
holding simultaneously with respect to
any particular revocation. (This Agency
document is available in the docket of
this final rule). Furthermore, for the
pesticides named in this final rule, the
Agency knows of no extraordinary
circumstances that exist as to the
present revocations that would change
EPA’s previous analysis. In addition, the
Agency has determined that this action
will not have a substantial direct effect
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:58 Apr 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
on States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132, entitled
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999). Executive Order 13132 requires
EPA to develop an accountable process
to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input
by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies
that have federalism implications’’ is
defined in the Executive order to
include regulations that have
‘‘substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’ This final rule
directly regulates growers, food
processors, food handlers and food
retailers, not States. This action does not
alter the relationships or distribution of
power and responsibilities established
by Congress in the preemption
provisions of section 408(n)(4) of
FFDCA. For these same reasons, the
Agency has determined that this rule
does not have any ‘‘tribal implications’’
as described in Executive Order 13175,
entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR
67249, November 6, 2000). Executive
Order 13175, requires EPA to develop
an accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by tribal
officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have tribal
implications’’ is defined in the
Executive order to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the
relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.’’ This
rule will not have substantial direct
effects on tribal governments, on the
relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, as
specified in Executive Order 13175.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule.
VI. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of this final
rule in the Federal Register. This final
rule is not a ‘‘major rule ’’as defined by
5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: April 11, 2006.
James Jones,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
I
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
§§ 180.152, 180.174, 180.267, 180.488,
180.1024 and 180.1229 [Removed]
2. Sections 180.152, 180.174, 180.267,
180.488, 180.1024 and 180.1229 are
removed.
I
[FR Doc. 06–3853 Filed 4–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2006–0267; FRL–7772–6]
Pantoea Agglomerans Strain C9–1;
Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of the Pantoea
agglomerans strain C9–1 on pears and
apples when applied or used as a
microbial pesticide. Nufarm, Inc.
submitted a petition to EPA under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA), as amended by the Food
Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA),
requesting an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This
regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level
E:\FR\FM\26APR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24586-24590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3853]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0322; FRL-8065-1]
Benzaldehyde, Captafol, Hexaconazole, Paraformaldehyde, Sodium
dimethyldithiocarbamate, and Tetradifon; Tolerance Actions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is revoking specific tolerances and tolerance exemptions
for residues of the insecticides paraformaldehyde and tetradifon;
fungicides captafol, hexaconazole, and sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate;
and bee repellent benzaldehyde. EPA canceled food use registrations or
deleted food uses from registrations following requests for voluntary
cancellation or use deletion by the registrants, or non-payment of
registration maintenance fees. Also, stakeholders have withdrawn their
support for import tolerances for captafol and hexaconazole. The
regulatory actions in this document contribute toward the Agency's
tolerance reassessment requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) section 408(q), as amended by the Food Quality
Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. By law, EPA is required by August 2006
to reassess the tolerances in existence on August 2, 1996. The
regulatory actions in this document pertain to the revocation of 39
tolerances and tolerance exemptions of which 38 count as tolerance
reassessments toward the August, 2006 review deadline.
DATES: This regulation is effective April 26, 2006. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before June 26, 2006.
ADDRESSES: To submit a written objection or hearing request follow the
detailed instructions as provided in Unit IV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0322. All documents in the
docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov website. (EDOCKET, EPA's
electronic public docket and comment system was replaced on November
25, 2005, by an enhanced Federal-wide electronic docket management and
comment system located at https://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the
online instructions.) Although listed in the
[[Page 24587]]
index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on theInternet
and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly
available docket materials are available either electronically in
EDOCKET or in hard copy at the Public Information and Records Integrity
Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St.,
Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone
number is (703) 305-5805.
Important Note: OPP will be moving to a new location the
first week of May 2006. As a result, from Friday, April 28 to Friday,
May 5, 2006, the OPP Regulatory Public Docket will NOT be accepting any
deliveries at the Crystal Mall 2 address and this facility
will be closed to the public. Beginning on May 8, 2006, the OPP
Regulatory Public Docket will reopen at 8:30 a.m. and deliveries will
be accepted in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S.
Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. The mail code for the mailing
address will change to (7502P), but will otherwise remain the same. The
OPP Regulatory Public Docket telephone number and hours of operation
will remain the same after the move.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Nevola, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8037; e-mail
address: nevola.joseph@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
Crop production (NAICS 111), e.g., agricultural workers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
Animal production (NAICS 112), e.g., cattle ranchers and
farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
Food manufacturing (NAICS 311), e.g., agricultural
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers;
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS 32532), e.g., agricultural
workers; commercial applicators; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and
floriculture workers; residential users.
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document and Other
Related Information?
In addition to using EDOCKET (https://www.epa.gov/edocket/), you may
access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA
Internet under the ``Federal Register'' listings at https://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
is available at E-CFR Beta Site Two at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.
II. Background
A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
In the Federal Register of December 23, 2005 (70 FR 76224) (FRL-
7751-3), EPA issued a proposed rule to revoke certain tolerances and
tolerance exemptions for residues of the insecticides paraformaldehyde
and tetradifon; fungicides captafol, hexaconazole, and sodium
dimethyldithiocarbamate; and bee repellent benzaldehyde. Also, the
proposal of December 23, 2005 provided a 60-day comment period which
invited public comment for consideration and for support of tolerance
retention under the FFDCA standards.
In this final rule, EPA is revoking these tolerances and tolerance
exemptions because they pertain to uses no longer current or registered
under FIFRA in the United States and do not pertain to commodities
currently imported into the United States. The tolerances and tolerance
exemptions revoked by this final 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. It is EPA's general practice to revoke those tolerances and
tolerance exemptions for residues of pesticide active ingredients on
crop uses for which there are no active registrations under FIFRA,
unless any person in comments on the proposal indicates a need for the
tolerance or tolerance exemption to cover residues in or on imported
commodities or domestic commodities legally treated.
EPA has historically been concerned that retention of tolerances
that are not necessary to cover residues in or on legally treated foods
may encourage misuse of pesticides within the United States. Thus, it
is EPA's policy to issue a final rule revoking those tolerances for
residues of pesticide chemicals for which there are no active
registrations under FIFRA, unless any person commenting on the proposal
demonstrates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on
imported commodities or domestic commodities legally treated.
Generally, EPA will proceed with the revocation of these tolerances
on the grounds discussed in Unit II.A. if one of the following
conditions applies:
1. Prior to EPA's issuance of a section 408(f) order requesting
additional data or issuance of a section 408(d) or (e) order revoking
the tolerances on other grounds, commenters retract the comment
identifying a need for the tolerance to be retained.
2. EPA independently verifies that the tolerance is no longer
needed.
3. The tolerance is not supported by data that demonstrate that the
tolerance meets the requirements under FQPA.
Today's final rule does not revoke those tolerances for which EPA
received comments stating a need for the tolerance to be retained. In
response to the proposal published in the Federal Register of December
23, 2005 (70 FR 76224), EPA received one comment during the 60-day
public comment period, as follows:
Benzaldehyde--comment by WSDA. EPA received a comment from the
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), which requested that
the Agency determine whether revocation of the tolerance exemption in
40 CFR 180.1229 for benzaldehyde, when used as a bee repellent, would
render honey extracted from hives treated with benzaldehyde to be
considered adulterated. WSDA stated that benzaldehyde is still being
distributed for use by beekeepers and requested retention of the
tolerance exemption if its revocation would cause extracted honey from
treated hives to be adulterated. In an earlier communication, just
prior to the comment submission, WSDA stated that benzaldehyde use as a
bee repellent was not a pesticide use under 40 CFR 152.8.
[[Page 24588]]
Agency response. A tolerance or an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance is a requirement under FFDCA section 408 for pesticide
residue in or on food. There have been no active pesticide
registrations in the United States for benzaldehyde since 1991, and
therefore the tolerance exemption in 40 CFR 180.1229 is no longer
needed. EPA agrees with WSDA that use of a product intended to force
bees from hives for the collection of honey crops is not considered to
be a pesticidal use under 40 CFR 152.8 because it is not intended for
use against ``pests'' as defined in 40 CFR 152.5. Such a non-pesticidal
use does not require a tolerance or tolerance exemption. EPA expects
that revocation of the tolerance exemption in 40 CFR 180.1229 would
mean that such use of benzaldehyde, in a product which contains no
pesticide active ingredients, intended as a bee repellent in the
collection of honey crops, would not render them adulterated under
FFDCA section 408. Therefore, the Agency believes that such
benzaldehyde treatment of honeycombs even after the revocation of the
tolerance exemption in 40 CFR 180.1229 would not prevent sale of honey
commodities. Consequently, EPA is revoking the tolerance exemption in
40 CFR 180.1229 for residues of benzaldehyde when used as a bee
repellent in the harvesting of honey. Persons interested in the
regulation of benzaldehyde as a food additive under FFDCA section 409
should consult the Food and Drug Administration.
No comments were received by the Agency concerning the following.
1. Captafol. The Republic of Indonesia's Indonesian Ministry of
Agriculture had commented on a proposed rule to revoke tolerances for
captafol and several other pesticides, published in the Federal
Register of June 9, 1993 (58 FR 32320) (FRL-4183-6). The commenter had
stated that the use of captafol was being re-evaluated in that country,
might undergo a phase out, and requested that EPA not revoke the onion,
potato, and tomato tolerances in 40 CFR 180.267. In the Federal
Register of July 21, 1999 (64 FR 39049) (FRL-6092-7), EPA published a
final rule in which it revoked specific captafol tolerances and
responded to the 1993 comment received from the Republic of Indonesia
by stating that the Agency would not take final action on the three
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.267 for residues of captafol on onion, potato,
and tomato at that time. In April 2005, EPA determined that captafol
has not been registered in Indonesia since 1998. Also, the Indonesian
Ministry of Agriculture verified that it no longer had a continuing
interest in the three captafol tolerances for importation purposes.
Because the tolerances are no longer needed, EPA is revoking the
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.267 for residues of the fungicide captafol in
or on onion, potato, and tomato.
2. Hexaconazole. There have been no active U.S. registrations for
hexaconazole on banana since 1992. Recently, Syngenta has informed EPA
that it has voluntarily chosen to no longer support the hexaconazole
tolerance on banana for the purpose of importation. Consequently, the
tolerance is no longer needed. Therefore, EPA is revoking the tolerance
in 40 CFR 180.488 for residues of the fungicide hexaconazole in or on
banana.
3. Paraformaldehyde. The last active registration for
paraformaldehyde use as an insecticide for the soil treatment of sugar
beets was canceled in 1989 due to non-payment of the maintenance fee,
and therefore the tolerance exemptions are no longer needed. EPA is
revoking the tolerance exemptions in 40 CFR 180.1024 for residues of
the insecticide paraformaldehyde in or on beet, sugar, roots and beet,
sugar, tops, when applied to the soil not later than planting.
4. Sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate. The last active registration for
use of sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate on melons was canceled in 1993
due to non-payment of the maintenance fee, and therefore the tolerance
is no longer needed. EPA is revoking the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.152
for residues of the fungicide sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate,
calculated as zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, in or on melon.
5. Tetradifon. The last tetradifon registrations were canceled in
1990 due to non-payment of maintenance fees. Uniroyal Chemical Company
(which later became part of Crompton Corporation) had commented to a
proposed revocation of tetradifon tolerances published in the Federal
Register of August 1, 2001 (66 FR 39705) (FRL-6786-4). Uniroyal noted
that it had submitted certain studies to EPA in 1998 and 1996, and
requested that EPA not revoke any of the tetradifon tolerances in 40
CFR 180.174. In the Federal Register of January 24, 2003 (68 FR 3425)
(FRL-7187-3), EPA published a final rule and responded to Uniroyal's
comment by stating that the Agency would not take final action on the
tetradifon tolerances in 40 CFR 180.174 at that time. During follow-up
communication, EPA received a letter from Crompton Corporation (now
Chemtura Corporation) that it no longer supported retention of the
tolerances for tetradifon. Because the tolerances are no longer needed,
EPA is revoking all the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.174 for residues of
the insecticide tetradifon in or on apple; apricot; cherry; citron,
citrus; crabapples; cucumber; fig; fig, dried fruit; grapefruit; grape;
hop, dried; hop, vine; lemon; lime; meat; melon; milk; nectarine;
orange, sweet; peach; pear; peppermint; plum, prune, fresh; pumpkin;
quince; spearmint, tops; strawberry; tangerine; tea, dried; tomato; and
winter squash.
B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?
EPA's general practice is to revoke tolerances for residues of
pesticide active ingredients on crops for which FIFRA registrations no
longer exist and on which the pesticide may therefore no longer be used
in the United States. EPA has historically been concerned that
retention of tolerances that are not necessary to cover residues in or
on legally treated foods may encourage misuse of pesticides within the
United States. Nonetheless, EPA will establish and maintain tolerances
even when corresponding domestic uses are canceled if the tolerances,
which EPA refers to as ``import tolerances,'' are necessary to allow
importation into the United States of food containing such pesticide
residues. However, where there are no imported commodities that require
these import tolerances, the Agency believes it is appropriate to
revoke tolerances for unregistered pesticides in order to prevent
potential misuse.
C. When Do These Actions Become Effective?
These actions become effective on the date of publication of this
final rule in the Federal Register because their associated uses have
been canceled for several years. The Agency believes that treated
commodities have had sufficient time for passage through the channels
of trade.
Any commodities listed in the regulatory text of this document that
are treated with the pesticides subject to this final rule, and that
are in the channels of trade following the tolerance revocations, shall
be subject to FFDCA section 408(1)(5), as established by the FQPA.
Under this section, any residues of these pesticides in or on such food
shall not render the food adulterated so long as it is shown to the
satisfaction of the Food and Drug Administration that: (1) The residue
is present as the result of an application or use of the pesticide at a
time and in a manner that was lawful under FIFRA, and (2) the residue
does not exceed the
[[Page 24589]]
level that was authorized at the time of the application or use to be
present on the food under a tolerance or exemption from tolerance.
Evidence to show that food was lawfully treated may include records
that verify the dates that the pesticide was applied to such food.
D. What is the Contribution to Tolerance Reassessment?
By law, EPA is required by August 2006 to reassess the tolerances
in existence on August 2, 1996. As of April 18, 2006, EPA has
reassessed over 8,070 tolerances. This document revokes a total of 39
tolerances and tolerance exemptions of which 38 are counted as
tolerance reassessments toward the August, 2006 review deadline of
FFDCA section 408(q), as amended by FQPA in 1996.
III. Are There Any International Trade Issues Raised by this Final
Action?
EPA is working to ensure that the U.S. tolerance reassessment
program under FQPA does not disrupt international trade. EPA considers
Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in setting U.S. tolerances and in
reassessing them. MRLs are established by the Codex Committee on
Pesticide Residues, a committee within the Codex Alimentarius
Commission, an international organization formed to promote the
coordination of international food standards. When possible, EPA seeks
to harmonize U.S. tolerances with Codex MRLs. EPA may establish a
tolerance that is different from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section
408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain in a Federal Register document the
reasons for departing from the Codex level. EPA's effort to harmonize
with Codex MRLs is summarized in the tolerance reassessment section of
individual REDs. The U.S. EPA has developed guidance concerning
submissions for import tolerance support (65 FR 35069, June 1, 2000)
(FRL-6559-3). This guidance will be made available to interested
persons. Electronic copies are available on the internet at https://
www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page select ``Laws and Regulations,'' then
select ``Regulations and Proposed Rules'' and then look up the entry
for this document under ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.''
You can also go directly to the ``Federal Register'' listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
IV. Objections and Hearing Requests
Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, as amended by FQPA, any person may
file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request
a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which
govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in
40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those regulations require
some modification to reflect the amendments made to FFDCA by FQPA, EPA
will continue to use those procedures, with appropriate adjustments,
until the necessary modifications can be made. The new section 408(g)
of FFDCA provides essentially the same process for persons to
``object'' to a regulation for an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance issued by EPA under new section 408(d) of FFDCA, as was
provided in the old sections 408 and 409 of FFDCA. However, the period
for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 30 days.
A. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?
You must file your objection or request a hearing on this
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit
and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0322 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and
must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before June 26,
2006.
1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific
provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for
the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the
objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a
hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a
summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27).
Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing
request may be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that
information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except
in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the
information that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion
in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be
disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.
Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900L),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001. You may also deliver your request to the
Office of the Hearing Clerk in Suite 350, 1099 14th St.,
NW., Washington, DC 20005. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 564-6255.
2. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit IV.A.1.,
you should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its
inclusion in the official record that is described in ADDRESSES. Mail
your copies, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0322, to:
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001. In person or by courier, bring a copy to the
location of the PIRIB described in ADDRESSES. You may also send an
electronic copy of your request via e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov.
Please use an ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters
and any form of encryption. Copies of electronic objections and hearing
requests will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII
file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may
also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal
Depository Libraries.
B. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?
A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator
determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a
genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a reasonable
possibility that available evidence identified by the requestor would,
if established resolve one or more of such issues in favor of the
requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts to the
contrary; and resolution of the factual issues(s) in the manner sought
by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40
CFR 178.32).
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
In this final rule, EPA revokes specific tolerances established
under FFDCA section 408. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
exempted this type of action (i.e., a tolerance revocation for which
extraordinary circumstances do not exist) from review under Executive
Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993). Because this rule has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not
subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
[[Page 24590]]
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This final rule does
not contain any information collections subject to OMB approval under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose
any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law
104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations as required by
Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any other
Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997). This action does not involve any technical standards
that would require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus
standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-13, section 12(d)
(15 U.S.C. 272 note). Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agency previously assessed whether
revocations of tolerances might significantly impact a substantial
number of small entities and concluded that, as a general matter, these
actions do not impose a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. This analysis was published on December 17,
1997 (62 FR 66020), and was provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
of the Small Business Administration. Taking into account this
analysis, and available information concerning the pesticides listed in
this rule, the Agency hereby certifies that this final rule will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. In a memorandum dated May 25, 2001, EPA determined that eight
conditions must all be satisfied in order for an import tolerance or
tolerance exemption revocation to adversely affect a significant number
of small entity importers, and that there is a negligible joint
probability of all eight conditions holding simultaneously with respect
to any particular revocation. (This Agency document is available in the
docket of this final rule). Furthermore, for the pesticides named in
this final rule, the Agency knows of no extraordinary circumstances
that exist as to the present revocations that would change EPA's
previous analysis. In addition, the Agency has determined that this
action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism
(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input
by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies
that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism
implications'' is defined in the Executive order to include regulations
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food
processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action
does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency has
determined that this rule does not have any ``tribal implications'' as
described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6,
2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.''
``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive
order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.''
This rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to
this rule.
VI. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final
rule is not a ``major rule ''as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: April 11, 2006.
James Jones,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
Sec. Sec. 180.152, 180.174, 180.267, 180.488, 180.1024 and
180.1229 [Removed]
0
2. Sections 180.152, 180.174, 180.267, 180.488, 180.1024 and 180.1229
are removed.
[FR Doc. 06-3853 Filed 4-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S