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Summer Squash; Definitions and Interpretations
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: April 26, 1995]
[[Page 20470]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[OPP-300382; FRL-4945-5]
RIN 2070-AC18
Summer Squash; Definitions and Interpretations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This document proposes that 40 CFR 180.1(h) be amended to
expand EPA's interpretation for the application of tolerances and
exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance established for
pesticide chemicals in or on the raw agricultural commodity summer
squash to include chayote fruit. The proposed amendment to 40 CFR
180.1(h) is based, in part, on recommendations of the Interregional
Research Project No. 4 (IR-4).
DATES: Comments, identified by the document control number [OPP-
300382], must be received on or before May 26, 1995.
ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Response and
Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 1132, CM #2,
1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202.
Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI). Information so marked will
not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40
CFR part 2. A copy of the comment that does not contain CBI must be
submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked
confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice. All
written comments will be available for public inspection in Rm. 1132 at
the address given above, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Hoyt L. Jamerson,
Registration Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
Office location and telephone number: Sixth Floor, Crystal Station #1,
2800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703)-308-8783; email:
Jamerson.Hoyt@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paragraph (h) of 40 CFR 180.1 provides a
listing of general commodity terms and EPA's interpretation of those
terms as they apply to tolerances and exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance for pesticide chemicals under section 408 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 346a. General commodities are
listed in column A of 40 CFR 180.1(h), and the corresponding specific
commodities, for which tolerances and exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance established for the general commodity apply, are listed
in column B. The Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), New
Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 231, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, has requested that 40 CFR 180.1(h)
be amended by revising the current interpretation for the general
commodity term ``summer squash,'' which is listed in column A, by
adding the specific commodity term ``chayote'' to column B. The revised
column B would read as follows: ``Fruits of the gourd (Cucurbitaceae)
family that are consumed when immature, 10012f the fruit is edible
either cooked or raw, once picked it cannot be stored, has a soft rind
which is easily penetrated, and if seeds were harvested they would not
germinate; e.g., Cucurbita pepo (i.e, crookneck squash, straightneck
squash, scallop squash, and vegetable marrow); Lagenaria spp. (i.e.,
spaghetti squash, hyotan, cucuzza); Luffa spp. (i.e., hechima, Chinese
okra); Momordica spp. (i.e., bitter melon, balsam pear, balsam apple,
Chinese cucumber); Sechium edule (chayote); and other cultivars and/or
hybrids of these.''
EPA has completed an evaluation of the proposed amendment and
concludes that tolerances established for the raw agricultural
commodity summer squash are adequate to cover pesticide residues in or
on chayote fruit. Chayote is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family which
includes squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, and gourds. Chayote fruit
is similar to summer squash, in that they are harvested at an immature
stage. Like summer squash, the outside of the chayote fruit is hard
while the inside is soft and pulpy. Cultural practices and pest
problems associated with chayote production are also similar to those
for summer squash production.
Based on the above information, the Agency concludes that it is
appropriate that the general commodity ``summer squash'' should be
interpreted for tolerance purposes to include the corresponding
specific commodity chayote fruit. Therefore, it is proposed that the
changes to 40 CFR 180.1(h) be made as set forth below.
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the
proposed regulation. Comments must bear a notation indicating the
document control number, [OPP-300382]. All written comments filed in
response to this proposal will be available in the Public Response and
Program Resources Branch, at the address given above from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993), the Agency
must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and
therefore subject to all the requirements of the Executive Order (i.e.,
Regulatory Impact Analysis, review by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB)). Under section 3(f), the order defines ``significant'' as
those actions likely to lead to a rule (1) having an annual effect on
the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely and materially
affecting a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or State, local or tribal
governments or communities (also known as ``economically
significant''); (2) creating serious inconsistency or otherwise
interfering with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3)
materially altering the budgetary impacts of entitlement, grants, user
fees, or loan programs; or (4) raising novel legal or policy issues
arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the
principles set forth in this Executive Order.
Pursuant to the terms of this Executive Order, EPA has determined
that this rule is not ``significant'' and is therefore not subject to
OMB review.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Administrator
has determined that regulations establishing new tolerances or raising
tolerance levels or establishing exemptions from tolerance requirements
do not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. A certification statement to this effect was published
in the Federal Register of May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950).
Although this regulation does not establish or raise a tolerance
level or establish an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance,
the impact of the regulation would be the same as establishing new
tolerances or exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance.
Therefore, the Administrator concludes that this rule would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
[[Page 20471]] Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: April 13, 1995.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR part 180 be amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.
2. In Sec. 180.1(h) by amending the table therein by revising the
entry for summer squash, to read as follows:
Sec. 180.1 Definitions and interpretations.
* * * *
(h) * * *
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A B
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* * * *
Summer squash......... Fruits of the gourd (Cucurbitaceae) family that
are consumed when immature, 10012f the fruit
is edible either cooked or raw, once picked it
cannot be stored, has a soft rind which is
easily penetrated, and if seeds were harvested
they would not germinate; e.g., Cucurbita pepo
(i.e, crookneck squash, straightneck squash,
scallop squash, and vegetable marrow);
Lagenaria, spp. (i.e., spaghetti squash,
hyotan, cucuzza); Luffa spp. (i.e., hechima,
Chinese okra); Momordica spp. (i.e., bitter
melon, balsam pear, balsam apple, Chinese
cucumber); Sechium edule (chayote); and other
cultivars and/or hybrids of these.
* * * *
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[FR Doc. 95-10253 Filed 4-25-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F