Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerance, 1503-1508 [E8-15]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1503-1508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541; FRL-8343-5]


Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes, increases, and removes tolerances 
for residues of difenoconazole and also establishes tolerances for 
combined residues of difenoconazole and its metabolite, CGA-205375, in 
or on various commodities. In addition, this regulation revokes 
tolerances for secondary residues in poultry, fat, meat, and meat 
byproducts. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., requested these tolerances 
under the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective January 9, 2008. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before March 10, 2008, and 
must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR 
part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541. To access the 
electronic docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced 
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where 
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on 
the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access 
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
docket index available in regulations.gov. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available in the electronic docket at https://www.regulations.gov, or, 
if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in 
Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility 
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Whitehurst, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6129; e-mail address: 
whitehurst.janet@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

[[Page 1504]]

not limited to those engaged in the following activities:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111), e.g., agricultural 
workers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
     Animal production (NAICS code 112), e.g., cattle ranchers 
and farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311), e.g., agricultural 
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; 
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 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 to 
provide 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?

    In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal 
Register document through the electronic docket at https://
www.regulations.gov, you may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access a 
frequently updated electronic version of EPA's tolerance regulations at 
40 CFR part 180 through the Government Printing Office's pilot e-CFR 
site at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, any person may file an objection to 
any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those 
objections. You must file your objection or request a hearing on this 
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 
178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541 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 as required by 40 CFR part 178 on or 
before March 10, 2008.
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public 
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked 
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA 
without prior notice. Submit this copy, identified by docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South 
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The 
Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Petition for Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of August 22, 2007 (72 FR 47010-47012) 
(FRL-8142-5), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of 
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of pesticide 
petitions (PP 6E7120 and PP 6F7115) by Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., 
P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419. The petitions requested that 40 
CFR 180.475 be amended by establishing a tolerance for residues of the 
fungicide difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-
methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, in or on fruit, 
pome, group 11 at 0.6 parts per million (ppm) (PP 6F7115); vegetable, 
fruiting, group 8 at 0.5 ppm (PP 6F7115); vegetables, tuberous and 
corm, subgroup 1C at 0.02 ppm (PP 6F7115); sugar beet roots at 0.3 ppm 
(PP 6F7115); sugar beet tops at 7.0 ppm (PP 6F7115); and imported whole 
papaya fruit at 0.3 ppm (PP 6E7120). That notice referenced a summary 
of the petition prepared by Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., the 
registrant, which is available to the public in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. Comments were received on the notice of filing. 
EPA's response to these comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
determined that several of the proposed tolerances need to be raised, 
lowered, or revoked. Additionally, EPA also determined that the 
pesticide uses for the proposed tolerances would result in residues of 
difenoconazole and CGA-205375 in or on the egg; milk; fat, meat, meat 
byproducts; and liver of ruminants that need tolerances.
    The need to revise the tolerance expression for livestock is based 
on the previously submitted ruminant metabolism studies, the new foliar 
uses, and the need to include CGA 205375 in the risk assessment. The 
uses on pome fruit, sugar beets, and tuberous and corm vegetables 
included potential cattle feedstuffs (cull potatoes, processed potato 
waste, sugar beet molasses, sugar beet pulp, and wet apple pomace), and 
therefore resulted in a greater potential for the transfer of residues 
to meat and milk.
    For poultry, based on the calculated dietary burdens and the 
submitted feeding study data, the Agency concluded that the currently 
established tolerances for secondary residues in poultry, meat, fat and 
meat byproducts should be removed. Additionally, the tolerance for 
residues of difenoconazole in eggs should be altered to include 
residues of CGA-205375 and the tolerance level should be increased to 
0.10 ppm (to account for CGA-205375).

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a 
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a 
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure 
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary 
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable 
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. 
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical 
residue....'' These provisions were added to FFDCA by the Food Quality 
Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996.
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data

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and other relevant information in support of this action. EPA has 
sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a determination on 
aggregate exposure for the petitioned-for tolerances for residues of 
difenoconazole as revised by EPA. EPA's assessment of exposures and 
risks associated with establishing the tolerances follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children. Specific information on the studies received and the nature 
of the adverse effects caused by difenoconazole as well as the no-
observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-
effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov. The referenced document is available in the docket 
established for this action, which is described under ADDRESSES, and is 
identified as EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541 in that docket.

B. Toxicological Endpoints

    For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological level of concern (LOC) is derived 
from the highest dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the 
NOAEL) in the toxicology study identified as appropriate for use in 
risk assessment. However, if a NOAEL cannot be determined, the lowest 
dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified (the LOAEL) is 
sometimes used for risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety factors (UFs) 
are used in conjunction with the LOC to take into account uncertainties 
inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and 
in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population 
as well as other unknowns. Safety is assessed for acute and chronic 
risks by comparing aggregate exposure to the pesticide to the acute 
population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic population adjusted dose 
(cPAD). The aPAD and cPAD are calculated by dividing the LOC by all 
applicable UFs. Short-, intermediate-, and long-term risks are 
evaluated by comparing aggregate exposure to the LOC to ensure that the 
margin of exposure (MOE) called for by the product of all applicable 
UFs is not exceeded.
    For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of 
exposure will lead to some degree of risk and estimates risk in terms 
of the probability of occurrence of additional adverse cases. 
Generally, cancer risks are considered non-threshold. For more 
information on the general principles EPA uses in risk characterization 
and a complete description of the risk assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1997/November/Day-26/p30948.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for difenoconazole used 
for human risk assessment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in 
the document entitled ``Difenoconazole in/on Fruiting Vegetables, Pome 
Fruit, Sugar Beets, Tuberous and Corm Vegetables, and Imported 
Papaya,'' Health Effects Division (HED) Risk Assessment on page 13 in 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0541.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to difenoconazole, EPA considered exposure under the 
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing difenoconazole 
tolerances in (40 CFR 180.475). EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
difenoconazole in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption 
information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
insert 1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intake 
by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed all 
foods for which there are tolerances were treated and contain 
tolerance-level residues.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996 
and 1998 CSFII. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed all foods for 
which there are tolerances were treated and contain tolerance-level 
residues.
    iii. Cancer. A cancer dietary exposure assessment was not conducted 
for difenoconazole because the cancer NOAEL is higher than the chronic 
NOAEL; therefore, the chronic dietary risk estimate is more protective.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
The Agency did not use anticipated residue estimates or PCT 
information.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency lacks 
sufficient monitoring data to complete a comprehensive dietary exposure 
analysis and risk assessment for difenoconazole in drinking water. 
Because the Agency does not have comprehensive monitoring data, 
drinking water concentration estimates are made by reliance on 
simulation or modeling taking into account data on the environmental 
fate characteristics of difenoconazole. Further information regarding 
EPA drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
    Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model /Exposure Analysis Modeling 
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) of 
difenoconazole are 0.00128 parts per billion (ppb) for acute 
groundwater and 0.00108 ppb for chronic groundwater. The EECs for 
surface water are estimated to be 13.3 ppb and 9.43 ppb for 1-in-10 
year annual peak and 1-in-10 year annual average concentrations 
respectively.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. In this assessment, 1-in-10-
year annual peak (13.3 ppb) and 1-in10-year annual mean (9.43 ppb) 
residue values were used for acute and chronic dietary exposure 
assessments respectively.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Difenoconazole is currently registered for the following 
residential non-dietary sites: Ornamentals. EPA assessed residential 
exposure using the following assumptions: Residential pesticide 
handlers will be exposed to short-term duration (1-30 days only). The 
dermal and inhalation (short-term) residential exposure was assessed 
for ``homeowners'' mixer/loader/applicator wearing short pants and 
short-sleeved shirts as well as shoes plus socks using garden hose-end 
sprayer, ``pump-up'' compressed air sprayer, and backpack sprayer. A 
MOE of 100 is adequate to protect residential pesticide handlers from 
exposures to difenoconazole. MOEs are >100; therefore are not of 
concern. With respect to residential

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postapplication exposures, no significant postapplication exposure is 
anticipated from ornamentals by residents; therefore, no residential 
postapplication assessment was conducted.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Difenoconazole is a member of the triazole-containing class of 
pesticides. Although conazoles act similarly in plants (fungi) by 
inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, there is not necessarily a 
relationship between their pesticidal activity and their mechanism of 
toxicity in mammals. Structural similarities do not constitute a common 
mechanism of toxicity. Evidence is needed to establish that the 
chemicals operate by the same, or essentially the same, sequence of 
major biochemical events. In conazoles, however, a variable pattern of 
toxicological responses is found. Some are hepatotoxic and 
hepatocarcinogenic in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in rats. Some 
induce developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in 
rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles produce a diverse range of 
biochemical events including altered cholesterol levels, stress 
responses, and altered DNA methylation. It is not clearly understood 
whether these biochemical events are directly connected to their 
toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is currently no evidence to 
indicate that conazoles share common mechanisms of toxicity and EPA is 
not following a cumulative risk approach based on a common mechanism of 
toxicity for the conazoles. For information regarding EPA's procedures 
for cumulating effects from substances found to have a common mechanism 
of toxicity, see EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
cumulative.
    Difenoconazole is a triazole-derived pesticide. This class of 
compounds can form the common metabolite 1,2,4-triazole and two 
triazole conjugates (triazolylalanine and triazolylacetic acid). To 
support existing tolerances and to establish new tolerances for 
triazole-derivative pesticides, including difenoconazole, EPA conducted 
a human health risk assessment for exposure to 1,2,4-triazole, 
triazolylalanine, and triazolylacetic acid resulting from the use of 
all current and pending uses of any triazole-derived fungicide. The 
risk assessment is a highly conservative, screening-level evaluation in 
terms of hazards associated with common metabolites (e.g., use of a 
maximum combination of UFs) and potential dietary and non-dietary 
exposures (i.e., high-end estimates of both dietary and non-dietary 
exposures). In addition, the Agency retained the additional 10X FQPA 
safety factor for the protection of infants and children. The 
assessment includes evaluations of risks for various subgroups, 
including those comprised of infants and children. The Agency's 
complete risk assessment is found in the propiconazole reregistration 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov, docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-
0497.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply 
an additional (10X) tenfold margin of safety for infants and children 
in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal 
toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity and exposure 
unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a different margin of 
safety will be safe for infants and children. This additional margin of 
safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA safety factor. In applying 
this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X when 
reliable data do not support the choice of a different factor, or, if 
reliable data are available, EPA uses a different additional FQPA 
safety factor value based on the use of traditional UFs and/or special 
FQPA safety factors, as appropriate.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. Developmental toxicity 
studies showed no increased sensitivity in fetuses as compared to 
maternal animals following in utero exposures in rats and rabbits, and 
pre-/postnatal exposure in the 2-generation reproduction toxicity study 
in rats. There was no evidence of abnormalities in the development of 
the fetal nervous system in the pre-/postnatal studies.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show that it 
would be safe for infants and children to reduce the FQPA safety factor 
to 1X. That decision is based on the following findings:
    i. The toxicity database for difenoconazole is complete.
    ii. There is no indication that difenoconazole is a neurotoxic 
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study 
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There is no evidence that difenoconazole results in increased 
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal 
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction 
study.
    iv. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based on 
100% CT and tolerance-level residues. Conservative ground and surface 
water modeling estimates were used. Similarly conservative residential 
SOPs were used to assess postapplication exposure to children as well 
as incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These assessments will not 
underestimate the exposure and risks posed by difenoconazole.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    Safety is assessed for acute and chronic risks by comparing 
aggregate exposure to the pesticide to the aPAD and cPAD. The aPAD and 
cPAD are calculated by dividing the LOC by all applicable UFs. For 
linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the probability of additional 
cancer cases given aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and long-
term risks are evaluated by comparing aggregate exposure to the LOC to 
ensure that the MOE called for by the product of all applicable UFs is 
not exceeded.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to difenoconazole will occupy 8% of the aPAD for the population group 
all infants (<1 year old) receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that exposure to 
difenoconazole from food and water will utilize 56% of the cPAD for the 
population group (children 1-2). Based on the use pattern, chronic 
residential exposure to residues of difenoconazole is not expected.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water 
(considered to be a background exposure level).
    Difenoconazole is currently registered for uses that could result 
in short-term residential exposure and the Agency has determined that 
it is appropriate to aggregate chronic food and water and short-term 
exposures for difenoconazole.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded that food, water, and residential 
exposures aggregated result in aggregate MOEs of

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greater than or equal to 170, and are therefore not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). The Agency 
believes residential pesticide handlers will be exposed to short-term 
duration (1-30 days) only. Therefore, intermediate-and long-term 
aggregate risk are not of concern.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As explained in Unit 
III.C.1.iii., the chronic risk assessment is protective of any cancer 
risk for difenoconazole.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to difenoconazole residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology: liquid chromatography/mass 
spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method is available to 
enforce the tolerance expression. The method may be requested from: 
Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 
Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; 
e-mail address: residuemethods@epa.gov.

B. International Residue Limits

    No Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue limits (MRLs) have 
been established for difenoconazole.

C. Response to Comments

    One comment was received from B. Sachau. Ms. Sachau's comments 
regarding general exposure to pesticides contained no scientific data 
or evidence to rebut the Agency's conclusion that there is a reasonable 
certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to 
difenoconazole, including all anticipated dietary exposures and other 
exposures for which there is reliable information. This comment as well 
as her comments regarding animal testing have been responded to by the 
Agency on several occasions. For examples, see the Federal Register 
issues of January 7, 2005 (70 FR 1349) (FRL-7691-4) and October 29, 
2004 (69 FR 63083) (FRL-7681-9).

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of 
difenoconazole in or on vegetable, fruiting, group 8 at 0.60 ppm; 
vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C at 0.01 ppm; beet, sugar at 
0.01 ppm; papaya (imported) at 0.30 ppm; apple, wet pomace 4.5 ppm; 
beet, sugar, dried pulp at 1.9 ppm; and potato, processed waste at 0.04 
ppm. The tolerance for fruit, pome group 11 is increased from 0.6 ppm 
to 1.0 ppm. Tolerances for pome fruit, group 11 and barley, grain are 
established for domestic use. Tolerances for secondary residues in 
poultry, meat, fat, and meat byproducts are revoked. Tolerances as 
listed in the table of paragraph (a) in 40 CFR 180.475 are removed for 
milk, meat of cattle, hog, goat, horse, and sheep; meat byproduct 
(except liver) of cattle, hog, goat, horse, and sheep; fat of cattle, 
hog, goat, horse, and sheep; liver of cattle, hog, goat, horse, and 
sheep; and eggs. Tolerances for combined residues of CGA-205375 are 
established in or on milk at 0.01 ppm; meat of cattle, hog, goat, 
horse, and sheep at 0.05 ppm; meat byproduct (except liver) of cattle, 
hog, goat, horse, and sheep at 0.10 ppm; fat of cattle, hog, goat, 
horse, and sheep at 0.10 ppm; liver of cattle, hog, goat, horse, and 
sheep at 0.20 ppm; and eggs at 0.10 ppm; and are listed in a table in 
newly created paragraph (a)(2) of 40 CFR 180.475.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of 
FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions 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, this rule is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children 
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 
23, 1997). 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., nor does it require any special considerations 
under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as the tolerance in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) do not apply.
    This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this rule. In addition, This 
rule does not 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).
    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 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report 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.



[[Page 1508]]


    Dated: December 28, 2007.
 Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, 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.


0
2. Section 180.475 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.475  Difenoconazole; tolerances for residues.

    (a) General. (1) Tolerances are established for residues of the 
fungicide difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-
methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, in or on the 
following commodities:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple, wet pomace..........................................          4.5
Banana\1\..................................................          0.2
Barley, grain..............................................          0.1
Barley, hay................................................         0.05
Barley, straw..............................................         0.05
Beet, sugar................................................         0.01
Beet, sugar, dried pulp....................................          1.9
Canola, seed...............................................         0.01
Corn, sweet, forage........................................         0.01
Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed............         0.01
Corn, sweet, stover........................................         0.01
Cotton, gin byproducts.....................................         0.05
Cotton, undelinted seed....................................         0.05
Fruit, pome group 11.......................................          1.0
Grape\1\...................................................         0.10
Papaya\1\..................................................         0.30
Potato, processed waste....................................         0.04
Rye, grain\1\..............................................          0.1
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8...............................         0.60
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C..................         0.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no U.S. registrations.

    (2) Tolerances are established for residues of the fungicide 
difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-1,3-
dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, and its metabolite, CGA-205375, 
1-[2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)phenyl]-2-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl-ethanol, 
in or on the following commodities:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cattle, fat................................................         0.10
Cattle, liver..............................................         0.20
Cattle, meat...............................................         0.05
Cattle, meat byproduct (except liver)......................         0.10
Eggs.......................................................         0.10
Goat, fat..................................................         0.10
Goat, liver................................................         0.20
Goat, meat.................................................         0.05
Goat, meat byproduct (except liver)........................         0.10
Hog, fat...................................................         0.10
Hog, liver.................................................         0.20
Hog, meat..................................................         0.05
Hog, meat byproduct (except liver).........................         0.10
Horse, fat.................................................         0.10
Horse, liver...............................................         0.20
Horse, meat................................................         0.05
Horse, meat byproduct (except liver).......................         0.10
Milk.......................................................         0.01
Sheep, fat.................................................         0.10
Sheep, liver...............................................         0.20
Sheep, meat................................................         0.05
Sheep, meat byproduct (except liver).......................         0.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[FR Doc. E8-15 Filed 1-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S