EPA Seeks Comments on Nominations to FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel
Released on April 19, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comments on experts nominated to serve on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP).
The FIFRA SAP provides independent scientific advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides and related issues. The FIFRA SAP was established in 1975 and is composed of a permanent panel of seven scientists appointed by the EPA Administrator to serve staggered terms of three to six years. These experts are appointed from a pool of candidates provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
In November 2023, EPA requested nominations from NIH and NSF to fill vacancies on the FIFRA SAP due to expiring terms. Specifically, the Agency requested nationally recognized experts in the following fields: ecological and human exposure assessment, mathematical biostatistics, new approach methodologies (NAMs), and toxicology. NIH and NSF provided EPA with 39 nominees, of whom 12 are interested and available to participate.
Biographies of the interested and available candidates are available in the docket at EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0118, and through the FIFRA SAP website. Public comments on these experts, which may be submitted in the docket, will be used to assist the Agency in selecting up to four new members. All comments must be received by May 20, 2024. EPA expects to appoint new members to the FIFRA SAP in July 2024.
Prospective candidates for membership on the FIFRA SAP are asked to submit confidential financial information (EPA Form 3110-48; Confidential Financial Disclosure Form), and fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA evaluates the candidates' financial disclosure forms to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a loss of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of documents likely to be under consideration by the FIFRA SAP (including previous scientific peer reviews) before a candidate is considered further.
In selecting FIFRA SAP members, EPA considers candidates’ professional qualifications, including training and experience, as well as the collective expertise and experience needed to address EPA's prospective charges to the Panel. In addition, EPA seeks to achieve a breadth and balance of different scientific perspectives on the Panel.
For additional information, please see the Federal Register Notice or contact Tamue L. Gibson, Designated Federal Official, at gibson.tamue@epa.gov or 202-564-7642.