Tolpyralate; Pesticide Tolerances, 82782-82786 [2023-25871]

Download as PDF 82782 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations Issued in Washington, DC, on November 10, 2023. Thomas J. Nichols, Aviation Safety, Flight Standards Service, Manager, Standards Section, Flight Procedures & Airspace Group, Flight Technologies & Procedures Division. Takeoff Minimums and ODPs, effective at 0901 UTC on the dates specified, as follows: Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 14 CFR part 97 is amended by amending Standard Instrument Approach Procedures and ■ AIRAC date State PART 97—STANDARD INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES Airport name Charles M Schulz—Sonoma County. Reading Rgnl/Carl A Spaatz Fld. Pinebluff Rgnl/Grider Fld ....... Los Angeles Intl .................... CA Santa Rosa ........... 28–Dec–23 ........ PA Reading ................. 28–Dec–23 ........ 28–Dec–23 ........ AR CA Pine Bluff ............... Los Angeles .......... [FR Doc. 2023–25955 Filed 11–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 180 [EPA–HQ–OPP–2022–0198; FRL–11435–01– OCSPP] Tolpyralate; Pesticide Tolerances Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of tolpyralate in or on barley, wheat and livestock commodities. ISK Biosciences Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). DATES: This regulation is effective November 27, 2023. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before January 26, 2024, 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: The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2022–0198, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: 15:49 Nov 24, 2023 Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40113, 40114, 40120, 44502, 44514, 44701, 44719, 44721–44722. City 28–Dec–23 ........ VerDate Sep<11>2014 1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows: Jkt 262001 FDC No. 3/2093 10/19/23 3/4744 3/6286 8/16/23 10/5/23 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. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include: • Crop production (NAICS code 111). • Animal production (NAICS code 112). • Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311). • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532). B. How can I get electronic access to other related information? You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA’s tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Office of the Federal Register’s eCFR site at https://www.ecfr.gov/title-40. Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 FDC date 10/5/23 I. General Information Frm 00004 * * * Effective Upon Publication 3/0468 holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room and for the OPP Docket is (202) 566–1744. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francisco Llarena-Arias, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; main telephone number: (703) 305–7090; email address: RDFRNotices@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 2. Part 97 is amended to read as follows: By amending: § 97.23 VOR, VOR/ DME, VOR or TACAN, and VOR/DME or TACAN; § 97.25 LOC, LOC/DME, LDA, LDA/DME, SDF, SDF/DME; § 97.27 NDB, NDB/DME; § 97.29 ILS, ILS/DME, MLS, MLS/DME, MLS/RNAV; § 97.31 RADAR SIAPs; § 97.33 RNAV SIAPs; and § 97.35 COPTER SIAPs, Identified as follows: ■ Procedure name ILS OR LOC RWY 32, Amdt 19C. RNAV (GPS) RWY 31, Orig. ILS OR LOC RWY 18, Amdt 3E. RNAV (GPS) Y RWY 25L, Amdt 5. C. How can I file an objection or hearing request? Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, 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–2022–0198 in the subject line on the first page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before January 26, 2024. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b). 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 (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing request, identified by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP– 2022–0198, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ E:\FR\FM\27NOR1.SGM 27NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001. • Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance In the Federal Register of May 20, 2022 (87 FR 30855) (FRL–9410–13– OCSPP), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 1F8958) by ISK Biosciences Corporation, 7470 Auburn Road, Suite A, Concord, Ohio, 44077. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate including its metabolite MT–2153, in or on barley, grain at 0.015 parts per million (ppm); barley, hay at 0.2 ppm; barley, straw at 0.08 ppm; wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 0.02 ppm; wheat, hay at 0.05 ppm; wheat, straw at 0.03 ppm. That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by ISK Biosciences Corporation, the registrant, which is available in the docket, https:// www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing. Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA is establishing tolerances for residues in livestock commodities. The reasons for these changes are explained in Unit IV.C. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 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. . . .’’ 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 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 tolpyralate including exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks associated with tolpyralate follows. In an effort to streamline its publications in the Federal Register, EPA is not reprinting sections of the rule that repeat what has been previously published in tolerance rulemakings for the same pesticide chemical. Where scientific information concerning a particular chemical remains unchanged, the content of those sections would not vary between tolerance rulemaking and republishing the same sections is unnecessary and duplicative. EPA considers referral back to those sections as sufficient to provide an explanation of the information EPA considered in making its safety determination for the new rulemaking. EPA has previously published a number of tolerance rulemakings for tolpyralate, in which EPA concluded, based on the available information, that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm would result from aggregate exposure to tolpyralate and established tolerances for residues of that chemical. EPA is incorporating previously published sections from those rulemakings as described further in this rulemaking, as they remain unchanged. A. Toxicological Profile For a discussion of the Toxicological Profile of tolpyralate, see Unit III.A. of the July 27, 2017, rulemaking (82 FR 34877) (FRL–9964–15). B. Toxicological Points of Departure/ Levels of Concern Once a pesticide’s toxicological profile is determined, EPA identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the pesticide. The PODs and levels of concern have not changed from the previous rulemaking and EPA incorporates the background information in the July 27, 2017, rulemaking. In addition, a summary of PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 82783 the toxicological endpoints for tolpyralate used for human risk assessment can be found in the document titled Tolpyralate: Human Health Risk Assessment for the Proposed Uses on Wheat and Barley and Addition of Aerial Application for Corn. (hereinafter ‘‘Tolpyralate Human Health Risk Assessment’’) in docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2022–0198 in regulations.gov. C. Exposure Assessment 1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary exposure to tolpyralate, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing tolpyralate tolerances in 40 CFR 180.696. EPA assessed dietary exposures from tolpyralate 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. Such effects were identified for tolpyralate. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey/What We Eat in America (NHANES/WEIA) 2005–2010. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance level residues for all commodities and 100% crop treated. ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and the CDC under the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey/What We Eat in America (NHANES/WEIA) 2005–2010. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance level residues for all commodities and 100% crop treated. iii. Cancer. The Agency has determined that quantification of risk using a non-linear approach (i.e., reference dose or RfD), for tolpyralate will adequately account for all chronic toxicity, including carcinogenicity, that could result from exposure to tolpyralate. As a result, the chronic dietary exposure assessment is protective for potential cancer risk, and a separate cancer exposure assessment was not conducted. E:\FR\FM\27NOR1.SGM 27NOR1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES 82784 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the dietary assessment for tolpyralate. Tolerance level residues and/or 100% CT were assumed for all food commodities. 2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The estimates for drinking water exposure have not changed since the previous tolerance rulemaking; the additional uses do not impact the previous calculations for drinking water exposure estimates. For a discussion of the dietary exposure of drinking water of tolpyralate, see Unit III.C.2. of the July 27, 2017, rulemaking. 3. From non-dietary exposure. There are no residential (non-occupational) exposures associated with the new proposed uses and tolpyralate is not registered for any use patterns that would result in residential exposure. 4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of toxicity. The Agency is required to consider the cumulative risks of pesticides sharing a common mechanism of toxicity. The Agency has determined that the HPPD inhibitors, which include tolpyralate, share a common mechanism of toxicity as discussed in the HPPD Inhibiting Herbicides: State of the Science paper (K. Yozzo and M. Perron, 09/18/2020, TXR No. 0058084, D439367). As explained in that document, the members of this group share the ability to bind to and inhibit the HPPD enzyme, resulting in elevated systemic tyrosine levels and common apical outcomes that are mediated by tyrosine, including ocular and developmental effects. In 2021, after establishing a common mechanism grouping for the HPPD inhibitors, the Agency conducted the PHydroxyphenyl-Pyruvate Dioxygenase (HPPD) Inhibitors Cumulative Risk Assessment: Benzobicyclon, Bicyclopyrone, Isoxaflutole, Mesotrione, Pyrasulfotole, Tembotrione, Tolpyralate, and Topramezone (J. Godshall, 06/30/ 2021, D462487) and concluded that cumulative exposures to HPPD inhibitors (based on proposed and registered pesticidal uses at the time the assessment was conducted) did not present risks of concern. An updated cumulative risk assessment (CRA) was not performed for the proposed new uses of tolpyralate on barley and wheat. The tolerances for tolpyralate being established in this rulemaking for barley, wheat and livestock commoditiest, do not impact the screening-level CRA based on low recommended tolerance levels relative to other HPPD inhibitors in the Cumulative Assessment Group (CAG). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 Therefore, an updated CRA is not necessary for tolpyralate. D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children EPA continues to conclude that there are reliable data to support the reduction of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) safety factor from 10X to 1X. See Unit III.D of July 27, 2017, rulemaking (82 FR 34877) (FRL–9964– 15) for a discussion of the Agency’s rationale for that determination. E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an adequate margin of exposure (MOE) exists. 1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water to tolpyralate will occupy 1.0% of the aPAD for females 13 to 49 years old, the only population relevant for assessing acute exposure to tolpyralate. 2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to tolpyralate from food and water will utilize 2.7% of the cPAD for children 1 to 2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for tolpyralate. 3. Short-term risk. A short-term adverse effect was identified; however, tolpyralate is not registered for any use patterns that would result in short-term residential exposure. Short-term risk is assessed based on short-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. Because there is no short-term residential exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as the POD used to assess short-term risk), no further assessment of short-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-term risk for tolpyralate. 4. Intermediate-term risk. An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, tolpyralate is not PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 registered for any use patterns that would result in intermediate-term residential exposure. Intermediate-term risk is assessed based on intermediateterm residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. Because there is no intermediate-term residential exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as the POD used to assess intermediate-term risk), no further assessment of intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating intermediate-term risk for tolpyralate. 5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the discussion in Unit III.A., the chronic dietary exposure assessment is protective for potential cancer risk. Therefore, EPA does not expect exposure to tolpyralate to pose aggregate cancer risk. 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 tolpyralate residues. IV. Other Considerations A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology Adequate enforcement methodology (ISK Biosciences Method JSM0433) for plant commodities is a LC–MS/MS method that can be used to analyze for parent tolpyralate. It has been developed and independently validated and is adequate to enforce the established and proposed tolerances. For all matrices and analytes, the level of quantification (LOQ), defined as the lowest level of method validation (LLMV) or lowest spiking level where acceptable precision and accuracy data were obtained, was determined to be 0.01 ppm. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.004 ppm. Adequate enforcement methodology (ISK Biosciences Method D96518) for livestock commodities is a LC–MS/MS method that can be used to analyze for parent tolpyralate and the metabolite MT–2153 concurrently. It has been developed and independently validated and is adequate to enforce the established and proposed tolerances. For all matrices and analytes, the level of quantification (LOQ), defined as the lowest level of method validation (LLMV) or lowest spiking level where acceptable precision and accuracy data were obtained, was determined to be 0.01 ppm. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.003 ppm. E:\FR\FM\27NOR1.SGM 27NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations The methods may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350; telephone number: (410) 305–2905; email address: residuemethods@ epa.gov. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES B. International Residue Limits In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain the reasons for departing from the Codex level. The Codex has not established a MRL for tolpyralate. C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances The tolerances being established for the proposed new uses of tolpyralate are based on values obtained using the OECD MRL calculator and submitted residue data. The tolerances being established are consistent with the values in the petition, with the exception of barley, grain, which is established at 0.01 ppm instead of 0.015 ppm to correct a typo that was published in the Federal Register of May 20, 2022 (87 FR 30855) (FRL–9410– 13–OCSPP). EPA is establishing tolerances for residues in livestock commodities due to an update in the dietary burden calculation. As part of the review of the petition, a revised Maximum Reasonable Dietary Burden (MRDB), including the potential contributions of barley and wheat were evaluated. As indicated in EPA’s regulation, 40 CFR 180.6, when finite pesticide chemical residues will be found in livestock commodities as a result of the use of a pesticide in or on animal feedstuffs, EPA will establish tolerances in livestock commodities to accommodate those residues. The additional uses of tolpyralate on barley and wheat will result in an increase in the MRDB for beef and dairy cattle and consequently necessitate increasing VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 tolerances for tolpyralate residues in ruminant commodities. New tolerance levels in ruminant commodities were determined using the Langmuir model, and based on that analysis, EPA is establishing tolerances for residues in or on cattle, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; goat, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; horse, byproducts at 0.02 ppm and sheep, byproducts at 0.02 ppm. V. Conclusion Therefore, tolerances for plant commodities are established for residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate in or on barley, grain at 0.01 ppm; barley, hay at 0.2 ppm; barley, straw at 0.08 ppm wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 0.02 ppm; wheat, hay at 0.05 ppm and; wheat, straw at 0.03 ppm. Compliance with the tolerance levels specified below is to be determined by measuring only tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate, in or on the commodity. In addition, tolerances for livestock commodities are established for residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and metabolite MT–2153 [1-ethyl-5hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2methylphenyl ketone], in or on cattle, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; goat, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; horse, byproducts at 0.02 ppm and sheep, byproducts at 0.02 ppm. Compliance with the tolerance levels specified below is to be determined by measuring tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and metabolite MT–2153 [1-ethyl-5hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2methylphenyl ketone], in or on the commodity. VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) 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 action has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 82785 not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ‘‘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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(d), 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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(n)(4). 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 action. In addition, this action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 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 (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). VII. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will E:\FR\FM\27NOR1.SGM 27NOR1 82786 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 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 the rule in the Federal Register. This action 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: November 16, 2023. Charles Smith, Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. metabolite MT–2153 [1-ethyl-5hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2methylphenyl ketone], in or on the livestock commodities in table 2 to this paragraph (a)(2). Compliance with the tolerance levels specified in table 2 to this paragraph (a)(2) is to be determined by measuring tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and metabolite MT–2153 [1-ethyl-5hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2methylphenyl ketone], in or on the commodity. TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(2) Therefore, for the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA is amending 40 CFR chapter I as follows: PART 180—TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Cattle, byproducts ....................... Goat, byproducts ........................ Horse, byproducts ...................... Sheep, byproducts ...................... * 1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows: ■ Parts per million Commodity * * * * [FR Doc. 2023–25871 Filed 11–24–23; 8:45 am] Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371. 2. Amend § 180.696 by: a. Designating the introductory text of paragraph (a) as paragraph (a)(1) and the table in newly designated paragraph (a)(1) as table 1 to paragraph (a)(1). ■ b. Adding, in alphabetical order, in newly designated table 1 to paragraph (a)(1), the entries ‘‘Barley, grain’’; ‘‘Barley, hay’’; ‘‘Barley, straw’’; ‘‘Wheat, forage’’; ‘‘Wheat, grain’’; ‘‘Wheat, hay’’; and ‘‘Wheat, straw’’. ■ c. Add paragraph (a)(2). The additions read as follows: ■ ■ § 180.696 Tolpyralate; tolerances for residues. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Part 402 Office of the Secretary 45 CFR Part 102 [CMS–6061–CN] RIN 0938–AT86 (a) * * * (1) * * * Medicare Program; Medicare Secondary Payer and Certain Civil Money Penalties; Correction TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(1) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department Commodity of Health and Human Services (HHS). Barley, grain ............................... 0.01 ACTION: Final rule; correction. Barley, hay .................................. 0.2 SUMMARY: This document corrects Barley, straw ............................... 0.08 technical errors in the final rule that appeared in the October 11, 2023 * * * * * Wheat, forage ............................. 0.02 Federal Register titled ‘‘Medicare Wheat, grain ............................... 0.01 Program; Medicare Secondary Payer and Wheat, hay ................................. 0.05 Certain Civil Money Penalties’’. Wheat, straw ............................... 0.03 DATES: Effective date: This correcting document is effective December 11, (2) Tolerances are established for 2023. residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5- Brian Broznowicz, (410) 786–3349. yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Parts per million khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 I. Background This correcting document identifies and corrects errors in FR Doc. 2023– 22282 of October 11, 2023 (88 FR 70363). The provisions in this correction document are effective as if they had been included in the document published October 11, 2023. Accordingly, the corrections are effective December 11, 2023. II. Summary of Errors On page 70363, we inadvertently omitted a part of the header. On page 70372, we made an error in the Words of Issuance. On page 70373, we made technical errors in the amendatory instructions as well as the headings, entries, and table notes in the civil monetary penalty adjustment table at 45 CFR 102.3. III. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date We ordinarily publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and invite public comment on the proposed rule in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The notice of proposed rulemaking includes a reference to the legal authority under which the rule is proposed, and the terms and substances of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved. This procedure can be waived, however, if an agency finds good cause that a notice-and-comment procedure is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest and incorporates a statement of the finding and its reasons in the rule issued. We believe that this final rule correcting document does not constitute a rule that would be subject to the notice and comment or delayed effective date requirements. This document merely corrects typographical and technical errors in the final rule, and it does not make substantive changes to the policies or the implementing regulations that were adopted in the final rule. As a result, this final rule correcting document is intended to ensure that the information in the final rule accurately reflects the policies and regulatory amendments adopted in that document. In addition, even if this were a rule to which the notice and comment procedures and delayed effective date requirements applied, we find that there is good cause to waive such requirements. Undertaking further notice and comment procedures to incorporate the minor corrections in this document into the final rule or delaying E:\FR\FM\27NOR1.SGM 27NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82782-82786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25871]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0198; FRL-11435-01-OCSPP]


Tolpyralate; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
tolpyralate in or on barley, wheat and livestock commodities. ISK 
Biosciences Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective November 27, 2023. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before January 26, 2024, 
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: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0198, is available at 
https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs 
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection 
Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 
Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room and for the OPP Docket is (202) 566-1744. Please review 
the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket 
available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francisco Llarena-Arias, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-
0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email address: 
[email protected].

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. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Office of the 
Federal Register's e-CFR site at https://www.ecfr.gov/title-40.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, 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-2022-0198 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
January 26, 2024. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    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 (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0198, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/

[[Page 82783]]

DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of May 20, 2022 (87 FR 30855) (FRL-9410-13-
OCSPP), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
1F8958) by ISK Biosciences Corporation, 7470 Auburn Road, Suite A, 
Concord, Ohio, 44077. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be 
amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide 
tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate 
including its metabolite MT-2153, in or on barley, grain at 0.015 parts 
per million (ppm); barley, hay at 0.2 ppm; barley, straw at 0.08 ppm; 
wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 0.02 ppm; wheat, hay at 0.05 
ppm; wheat, straw at 0.03 ppm. That document referenced a summary of 
the petition prepared by ISK Biosciences Corporation, the registrant, 
which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There 
were no comments received in response to the notice of filing. Based 
upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA is establishing 
tolerances for residues in livestock commodities. The reasons for these 
changes are explained in Unit IV.C.

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. . . 
.''
    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 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 tolpyralate including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with tolpyralate follows.
    In an effort to streamline its publications in the Federal 
Register, EPA is not reprinting sections of the rule that repeat what 
has been previously published in tolerance rulemakings for the same 
pesticide chemical. Where scientific information concerning a 
particular chemical remains unchanged, the content of those sections 
would not vary between tolerance rulemaking and republishing the same 
sections is unnecessary and duplicative. EPA considers referral back to 
those sections as sufficient to provide an explanation of the 
information EPA considered in making its safety determination for the 
new rulemaking.
    EPA has previously published a number of tolerance rulemakings for 
tolpyralate, in which EPA concluded, based on the available 
information, that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm would 
result from aggregate exposure to tolpyralate and established 
tolerances for residues of that chemical. EPA is incorporating 
previously published sections from those rulemakings as described 
further in this rulemaking, as they remain unchanged.

A. Toxicological Profile

    For a discussion of the Toxicological Profile of tolpyralate, see 
Unit III.A. of the July 27, 2017, rulemaking (82 FR 34877) (FRL-9964-
15).

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. The PODs and levels of concern have not changed from the 
previous rulemaking and EPA incorporates the background information in 
the July 27, 2017, rulemaking. In addition, a summary of the 
toxicological endpoints for tolpyralate used for human risk assessment 
can be found in the document titled Tolpyralate: Human Health Risk 
Assessment for the Proposed Uses on Wheat and Barley and Addition of 
Aerial Application for Corn. (hereinafter ``Tolpyralate Human Health 
Risk Assessment'') in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0198 in 
regulations.gov.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to tolpyralate, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing tolpyralate tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.696. EPA assessed dietary exposures from tolpyralate 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.
    Such effects were identified for tolpyralate. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Continuing Survey of 
Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and the Centers for Disease Control 
(CDC) under the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey/What 
We Eat in America (NHANES/WEIA) 2005-2010. As to residue levels in 
food, EPA assumed tolerance level residues for all commodities and 100% 
crop treated.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Continuing Survey of Food 
Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and the CDC under the National Health and 
Nutrition Examination Survey/What We Eat in America (NHANES/WEIA) 2005-
2010. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance level 
residues for all commodities and 100% crop treated.
    iii. Cancer. The Agency has determined that quantification of risk 
using a non-linear approach (i.e., reference dose or RfD), for 
tolpyralate will adequately account for all chronic toxicity, including 
carcinogenicity, that could result from exposure to tolpyralate. As a 
result, the chronic dietary exposure assessment is protective for 
potential cancer risk, and a separate cancer exposure assessment was 
not conducted.

[[Page 82784]]

    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for tolpyralate. Tolerance level residues and/or 
100% CT were assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The estimates for drinking 
water exposure have not changed since the previous tolerance 
rulemaking; the additional uses do not impact the previous calculations 
for drinking water exposure estimates. For a discussion of the dietary 
exposure of drinking water of tolpyralate, see Unit III.C.2. of the 
July 27, 2017, rulemaking.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. There are no residential (non-
occupational) exposures associated with the new proposed uses and 
tolpyralate is not registered for any use patterns that would result in 
residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. The Agency is required to consider the cumulative risks of 
pesticides sharing a common mechanism of toxicity. The Agency has 
determined that the HPPD inhibitors, which include tolpyralate, share a 
common mechanism of toxicity as discussed in the HPPD Inhibiting 
Herbicides: State of the Science paper (K. Yozzo and M. Perron, 09/18/
2020, TXR No. 0058084, D439367). As explained in that document, the 
members of this group share the ability to bind to and inhibit the HPPD 
enzyme, resulting in elevated systemic tyrosine levels and common 
apical outcomes that are mediated by tyrosine, including ocular and 
developmental effects. In 2021, after establishing a common mechanism 
grouping for the HPPD inhibitors, the Agency conducted the P-
Hydroxyphenyl-Pyruvate Dioxygenase (HPPD) Inhibitors Cumulative Risk 
Assessment: Benzobicyclon, Bicyclopyrone, Isoxaflutole, Mesotrione, 
Pyrasulfotole, Tembotrione, Tolpyralate, and Topramezone (J. Godshall, 
06/30/2021, D462487) and concluded that cumulative exposures to HPPD 
inhibitors (based on proposed and registered pesticidal uses at the 
time the assessment was conducted) did not present risks of concern.
    An updated cumulative risk assessment (CRA) was not performed for 
the proposed new uses of tolpyralate on barley and wheat. The 
tolerances for tolpyralate being established in this rulemaking for 
barley, wheat and livestock commoditiest, do not impact the screening-
level CRA based on low recommended tolerance levels relative to other 
HPPD inhibitors in the Cumulative Assessment Group (CAG). Therefore, an 
updated CRA is not necessary for tolpyralate.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    EPA continues to conclude that there are reliable data to support 
the reduction of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) safety factor 
from 10X to 1X. See Unit III.D of July 27, 2017, rulemaking (82 FR 
34877) (FRL-9964-15) for a discussion of the Agency's rationale for 
that determination.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For 
linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the lifetime probability of 
acquiring cancer given the estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, 
intermediate-, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing the 
estimated aggregate food, water, and residential exposure to the 
appropriate PODs to ensure that an adequate margin of exposure (MOE) 
exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to tolpyralate will occupy 1.0% of the aPAD for females 13 to 49 years 
old, the only population relevant for assessing acute exposure to 
tolpyralate.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
tolpyralate from food and water will utilize 2.7% of the cPAD for 
children 1 to 2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest 
exposure. There are no residential uses for tolpyralate.
    3. Short-term risk. A short-term adverse effect was identified; 
however, tolpyralate is not registered for any use patterns that would 
result in short-term residential exposure. Short-term risk is assessed 
based on short-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. 
Because there is no short-term residential exposure and chronic dietary 
exposure has already been assessed under the appropriately protective 
cPAD (which is at least as protective as the POD used to assess short-
term risk), no further assessment of short-term risk is necessary, and 
EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-
term risk for tolpyralate.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. An intermediate-term adverse effect was 
identified; however, tolpyralate is not registered for any use patterns 
that would result in intermediate-term residential exposure. 
Intermediate-term risk is assessed based on intermediate-term 
residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. Because there is no 
intermediate-term residential exposure and chronic dietary exposure has 
already been assessed under the appropriately protective cPAD (which is 
at least as protective as the POD used to assess intermediate-term 
risk), no further assessment of intermediate-term risk is necessary, 
and EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating 
intermediate-term risk for tolpyralate.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the 
discussion in Unit III.A., the chronic dietary exposure assessment is 
protective for potential cancer risk. Therefore, EPA does not expect 
exposure to tolpyralate to pose aggregate cancer risk.
    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 tolpyralate residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (ISK Biosciences Method JSM0433) 
for plant commodities is a LC-MS/MS method that can be used to analyze 
for parent tolpyralate. It has been developed and independently 
validated and is adequate to enforce the established and proposed 
tolerances. For all matrices and analytes, the level of quantification 
(LOQ), defined as the lowest level of method validation (LLMV) or 
lowest spiking level where acceptable precision and accuracy data were 
obtained, was determined to be 0.01 ppm. The limit of detection (LOD) 
was 0.004 ppm.
    Adequate enforcement methodology (ISK Biosciences Method D96518) 
for livestock commodities is a LC-MS/MS method that can be used to 
analyze for parent tolpyralate and the metabolite MT-2153 concurrently. 
It has been developed and independently validated and is adequate to 
enforce the established and proposed tolerances. For all matrices and 
analytes, the level of quantification (LOQ), defined as the lowest 
level of method validation (LLMV) or lowest spiking level where 
acceptable precision and accuracy data were obtained, was determined to 
be 0.01 ppm. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.003 ppm.

[[Page 82785]]

    The methods may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA 
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has not established a MRL for tolpyralate.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The tolerances being established for the proposed new uses of 
tolpyralate are based on values obtained using the OECD MRL calculator 
and submitted residue data. The tolerances being established are 
consistent with the values in the petition, with the exception of 
barley, grain, which is established at 0.01 ppm instead of 0.015 ppm to 
correct a typo that was published in the Federal Register of May 20, 
2022 (87 FR 30855) (FRL-9410-13-OCSPP). EPA is establishing tolerances 
for residues in livestock commodities due to an update in the dietary 
burden calculation.
    As part of the review of the petition, a revised Maximum Reasonable 
Dietary Burden (MRDB), including the potential contributions of barley 
and wheat were evaluated. As indicated in EPA's regulation, 40 CFR 
180.6, when finite pesticide chemical residues will be found in 
livestock commodities as a result of the use of a pesticide in or on 
animal feedstuffs, EPA will establish tolerances in livestock 
commodities to accommodate those residues. The additional uses of 
tolpyralate on barley and wheat will result in an increase in the MRDB 
for beef and dairy cattle and consequently necessitate increasing 
tolerances for tolpyralate residues in ruminant commodities. New 
tolerance levels in ruminant commodities were determined using the 
Langmuir model, and based on that analysis, EPA is establishing 
tolerances for residues in or on cattle, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; goat, 
byproducts at 0.02 ppm; horse, byproducts at 0.02 ppm and sheep, 
byproducts at 0.02 ppm.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances for plant commodities are established for 
residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate in 
or on barley, grain at 0.01 ppm; barley, hay at 0.2 ppm; barley, straw 
at 0.08 ppm wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 0.02 ppm; wheat, 
hay at 0.05 ppm and; wheat, straw at 0.03 ppm. Compliance with the 
tolerance levels specified below is to be determined by measuring only 
tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate, in 
or on the commodity.
    In addition, tolerances for livestock commodities are established 
for residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-
methyl-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl 
carbonate and metabolite MT-2153 [1-ethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-
(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2-methylphenyl ketone], in or on cattle, 
byproducts at 0.02 ppm; goat, byproducts at 0.02 ppm; horse, byproducts 
at 0.02 ppm and sheep, byproducts at 0.02 ppm. Compliance with the 
tolerance levels specified below is to be determined by measuring 
tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and 
metabolite MT-2153 [1-ethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2-
methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2-methylphenyl ketone], in or on the commodity.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) 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 action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(d), 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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(n)(4). 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 action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    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 (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
EPA will

[[Page 82786]]

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 the rule in the 
Federal Register. This action 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: November 16, 2023.
Charles Smith,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, for the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA is amending 
40 CFR chapter I as follows:

PART 180--TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES 
IN FOOD

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. Amend Sec.  180.696 by:
0
a. Designating the introductory text of paragraph (a) as paragraph 
(a)(1) and the table in newly designated paragraph (a)(1) as table 1 to 
paragraph (a)(1).
0
b. Adding, in alphabetical order, in newly designated table 1 to 
paragraph (a)(1), the entries ``Barley, grain''; ``Barley, hay''; 
``Barley, straw''; ``Wheat, forage''; ``Wheat, grain''; ``Wheat, hay''; 
and ``Wheat, straw''.
0
c. Add paragraph (a)(2).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  180.696   Tolpyralate; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barley, grain...............................................        0.01
Barley, hay.................................................         0.2
Barley, straw...............................................        0.08
 
                                * * * * *
Wheat, forage...............................................        0.02
Wheat, grain................................................        0.01
Wheat, hay..................................................        0.05
Wheat, straw................................................        0.03
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Tolerances are established for residues of tolpyralate, 1-[[1-
ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-
pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and metabolite MT-2153 [1-
ethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2-
methylphenyl ketone], in or on the livestock commodities in table 2 to 
this paragraph (a)(2). Compliance with the tolerance levels specified 
in table 2 to this paragraph (a)(2) is to be determined by measuring 
tolpyralate, 1-[[1-ethyl-4-[3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-methyl-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]oxy]ethyl methyl carbonate and 
metabolite MT-2153 [1-ethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl-3-(2-
methoxyethoxy)-4-mesyl-2-methylphenyl ketone], in or on the commodity.

                       Table 2 to Paragraph (a)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cattle, byproducts..........................................        0.02
Goat, byproducts............................................        0.02
Horse, byproducts...........................................        0.02
Sheep, byproducts...........................................        0.02
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-25871 Filed 11-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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