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News Archive: November 2005

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This information is provided for reference. Over time, links to news items may become unavailable, in these cases the item will remain listed, but no link will be provided. Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

November 30
Dodine Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available for Comment
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide dodine and has opened a public comment period on this document. Dodine is a fungicide used primarily on fruits and nuts and is registered for control of a range of pathogenic fungi that affect a number of agricultural and some ornamental crops. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the dodine docket. EPA has reviewed dodine through a modified version of the public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-266, must be received on or before January 30, 2006.

November 25
Sethoxydim Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available for Comment
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide sethoxydim and has opened a public comment period on this document. Sethoxydim is a member of the cyclohexanedione or cyclohexenone class of herbicides, and functions by inhibiting fat biosynthesis. Sethoxydim is used post-emergent for selective control of annual and perennial grass weeds in broadleaf crops. It is currently registered for use on at least 86 agricultural crops with principal usage on soybeans, sunflowers, alfalfa, dry peas/beans, sugar beets, peanuts, and corn.The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the sethoxydim docket. EPA has reviewed sethoxydim through the modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0323, must be received on or before January 24, 2006.

November 23
EPA Electronic Dockets Move to New Federal-wide Electronic Docket System
EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EDOCKET, is being replaced by an enhanced federal government-wide electronic docket management and comment system, the Federal Docket Management System. This new system provides public access to federal regulatory information by providing a one-stop Internet site for the public to search, view, download, and submit comments on all federal rulemakings and selected non-rulemaking materials.

EPA Seeks Comment on Acetochlor Risk Assessment
EPA has released its human health risk assessment and related documents for the chloroacetanilide pesticide acetochlor and has opened a public comment period on these documents. Acetochlor is a preemergence herbicide used for the control of weeds and is registered only for use on field corn. EPA is developing a tolerance reassessment progress and risk management decision (TRED) for acetochlor through a modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0227, must be received on or before January 23, 2006.

Comments Invited on Maleic Hydrazide Tolerance Reassessment Decision
EPA has released its Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the pesticide maleic hydrazide and has opened a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. Maleic hydrazide is a plant growth regulator and herbicide. EPA has reviewed this low-risk pesticide through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0290, must be received on or before January 23, 2006.

Resmethrin Risk Assessments Available for Comment
EPA has released risk assessments and related documents for the synthetic pyrethroid pesticide resmethrin and has opened a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. Resmethrin is an insecticide used for indoor space treatments and crack and crevice treatments in residential and commercial areas. It is also formulated as a ultra-low volume outdoor mosquito adulticide. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for resmethrin through a modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0284, must be received on or before January 23, 2006.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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November 16
Dicloran Risk Assessment Available for Comment
EPA has released its risk assessments and related documents for the nitroanaline pesticide dicloran, and has opened a 60-day public comment period. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for MCPB through the modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0265, must be received on or before January 17, 2006.

Tau-fluvalinate Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the low-risk pesticide tau-fluvalinate and has opened a public comment period on this document. Tau-fluvalinate is a broad-spectrum insecticide/miticide in the pyrethroid class of pesticides. It is registered for a single food use (beehives/honey) and several non-food uses, including ornamentals (outdoor and container-grown, greenhouse, interior plantscapes, dip for cuttings), building surfaces/perimeters, and ant mounds. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the tau-fluvalinate docket. EPA has reviewed tau-fluvalinate through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0230, must be received on or before December 16, 2005.

Thidiazuron Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide thidiazuron and has opened a public comment period on this document. Thidiazuron is registered for use as a pre-harvest cotton defoliant or growth regulator. It removes green leaves and immature fruiting structures, which contribute to cotton staining. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the thidiazuron docket. EPA has reviewed thidiazuron through the modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0382, must be received on or before December 16, 2005.

Chloroneb Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available
EPA has released its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide chloroneb. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are also available in the chloroneb docket. Chloroneb (1,4-dichloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene) is a systemic fungicide currently registered for seed treatment uses on beans (including cowpeas), cotton, lupine, soybeans, and sugar beets to protect against a variety of diseases such as seed rot, damping-off, blights, and other seedling diseases. Chloroneb is also registered on golf course and turf grasses, as well as ornamental plants to control blights. EPA has reviewed chloroneb through the modified four-phase public participation process. Because all issues related to this pesticide were resolved through consultations with stakeholders, the Agency is issuing the chloroneb RED without an additional comment period.

November 15
Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Products Tolerance Reassessment
EPA is reassessing tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for inert ingredients in pesticide products to ensure that they meet the safety standard established by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996. The remaining assessments will be completed by August 2006. Completed inert ingredient tolerance reassessment decision documents are now available on the Tolerance Reassessment Status page.

Updated Pesticide Product Label System (PPLS)
The Pesticide Product Label System (PPLS) database has been updated. This is a collection of images, in multi-page TIFF format, of pesticide labels that have been approved by the Office of Pesticide Programs under Section 3 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The collection contains the initially approved label for pesticide products registered under FIFRA Section 3 as well as subsequent versions of labels which have changed via amendment or notification.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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November 9
 Information on Potential Use of Unregistered Pesticides with Burlap, Jute, or Hessian Natural Fabric
On October 14, 2005, the Director of the Antimicrobials Division of EPA OPPTS sent a letter to the Dayton Bag & Burlap Company to explain the potential issues associated with using an unregistered pesticide on burlap, jute, or Hessian natural fabric.

The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group Meeting
The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) will hold a two-day meeting, beginning on December 5, 2005 and ending December 6, 2005. This notice announces the location and times for the meeting and sets forth the tentative agenda topics.The meeting will be held on Monday, December 5, 2005 through Tuesday, December 6, 2005 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, December 5 and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2005.

Propylene Oxide Risk Assessment Available for Comment
EPA has released its human health risk assessments and related documents for the insecticidal fumigant pesticide propylene oxide (PPO), and has opened a 60-day public comment period. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for MCPB through the modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0253, must be received on or before January 9, 2006.

Ethofumesate Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide ethofumesate and has opened a public comment period on this document. Ethofumesate is a selective herbicide used during preplant, preemergence and postemergence for control of broadleaf and grass weeds. Primary uses are for sugar beets, turf for sod and golf courses, and grass for seed. Special local need uses include uses on spinach and Swiss chard crops which are grown for seed.The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the ethofumesate docket. EPA has reviewed ethofumesate through the modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0348, must be received on or before January 9, 2006.

November 8
EPA settles with Dow Corning/Aegis Environmental Management on Pesticide Export Violations
EPA Region 5 has settled with Dow Corning Corp. and Aegis Environmental Management Inc., Midland, Mich., on alleged violations of federal rules on the sale and export of pesticides. A $268,288 penalty has been assessed against the companies as part of the settlement. According to the EPA order, Dow Corning (the distributor) and Aegis (the registrant) sold and exported the pesticides AEM 5700 Antimicrobial Agent, AEM 5772 Antimicrobial Agent, Dow Corning 5700 Antimicrobial Agent and Dow Corning 5772 Antimicrobial Agent without proper labeling. The labels were written entirely in English and lacked translation, as required, of certain key pesticide information into the predominant language of the countries receiving the products.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

November 2
MCPB Risk Assessment Available for Comment
EPA has released its risk assessments and related documents for the phenoxy herbicide MCPB (4- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid), and has opened a 60-day public comment period. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for MCPB through the modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0263, must be received on or before January 3, 2006.

Dimethipin Reregistration Eligibility Decision Available
EPA has published its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide dimethipin. Dimethipin is registered for use as a cotton growth regulator and desiccant. In addition, it is used as a post-emergence herbicide on cotton and nonbearing apple nursery stock. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents are available in the dimethipin docket. EPA has reviewed dimethipin through the modified four-phase public participation process. There will be no comment period on the RED, since no comments were received during the earlier public comment period and no miligation measures were required.

Endangered Species Protection Program Field Implementation
EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs has published a plan for implementing its Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP). This plan concerns EPA's responsibilities after the Agency determines that geographically specific risk mitigation is necessary to protect federally listed threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat. The implementation approach relies on pesticide labels, as appropriate, referring the pesticide user to geographically specific Endangered Species Protection Bulletins that will contain enforceable use limitations to ensure that a pesticide's use will not jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species. The goal of the ESPP is to carry out EPA's responsibilities without placing unnecessary burden on agriculture and other pesticide users.

November 1
EPA Pilot Projects Make Emergency Exempted and Special Local Needs Pesticides Available In Indian Country
Under federal pesticide law, growers in Indian country do not explicitly have access to the benefits of pesticide emergency exemptions or special local needs registrations. On November 1 the EPA Administrator authorized two findings that will allow growers in Indian country to use the same pesticides for combating pests in emergency situations as growers on neighboring land. To test the feasibility of this approach, the Agency is implementing two pilot projects. One project involves growers in the Yakama Reservation and other Yakama Nation Indian country in Washington State, and the other applies to growers in Indian country nationwide. The pilots will expire in December 2007, after which EPA will assess whether this approach should be continued or expanded.

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