[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1018-1019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-379]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 7, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180913; FRL 4750-7]
Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to Use
Imidacloprid Solicitation of Public Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Texas
Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'')
to use the pesticide imidacloprid (CAS 105827-78-9) to treat up to
38,000 acres of cucurbits (cucumbers, melons, and squash) to control
the sweet potato whitefly Bemesia tabaci. The Applicant proposes the
use of a new chemical; therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 166.24, EPA
is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not
to grant the exemption.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 24, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180913,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public Docket
and Freedom of Information Section, 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,
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
``Confidential Business Information.'' 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 Confidential
Business Information must be provided by the submitter for inclusion in
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments filed
pursuant to this notice will be available for public inspection in Rm.
1132, Crystal Mall No. 2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Andrea Beard, Registration
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office
location and telephone number: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1, 2800
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8791.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 18 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p),
the Administrator may, at her discretion, exempt a state agency from
any registration provision of FIFRA if she determines that emergency
conditions exist which require such exemption. The Applicant has
requested the Administrator to issue a specific exemption for the use
of imidacloprid on cucurbits to control the sweet potato whitefly
(SPWF). Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as
part of this request.
The SPWF is common on many wild and cultivated crops such as
tomatoes, cotton, cucurbits and solanaceae. The SPWF was first
confirmed in Texas in 1987. The Applicant states that in 1990, cotton
growers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley began to experience significant
crop losses due to infestation by the SPWF. The sweet potato whitefly
(SPWF) is a relatively new pest on cucurbits. The SPWF has caused
severe economic damage to several other commodities nationwide
including cotton, lettuce, squash, beans, peanuts, and ornamentals. The
Applicant states that in 1991, SPWF severely infested many more fields
of cotton and caused severe devastation to fall vegetable crops upon
harvesting of the cotton. According to the Applicant, SPWF populations
for this season are expected to be widespread, and heavy enough to
cause serious economic loss to the cucurbit crop. SPWF causes damage
through feeding activities, and also indirectly through the production
of a honeydew, which encourages growth of sooty mold and other fungi.
The Applicant claims that adequate control of the SPWF is not being
achieved with the currently registered compounds. The Applicant
estimates that losses in Texas cucurbit production could reach $18.6
million in net revenue if the SPWF is not adequately controlled, and is
requesting the use of imidacloprid to control the SPWF.
Along with this request, the Applicant has also requested a
specific exemption for use of a different chemical (bifenthrin) on
cucurbits, also for control of the SPWF. The Applicant justifies
requests for two chemicals, by stating that the imidacloprid would be
applied at or near planting/transplanting, as a soil-incorporated
treatment; since imidacloprid is a systemic, it would be taken up by
the small seedlings, and protect them from SPWF feeding during this
early stage of development. The Applicant states that bifenthrin, being
nonsystemic, is only of use as a foliar spray, which is of little value
during the early phase of development, when there is limited leaf area.
Thus the Applicant proposes that use of bifenthrin be allowed later in
the crop season, as a foliar treatment, to maintain season-long
control. The Applicant indicates that imidacloprid would not be of use
as both a soil treatment and a foliar spray, because its mode of action
is such that resistance development is a concern. The Registrant of
imidacloprid will not support the use of this chemical further into the
growing season for this reason.
The Applicant proposes to apply imidacloprid at a maximum rate of
0.25 lb. (dry) active ingredient (16 fluid oz. of product) per acre
with a maximum of one application per crop season on a total of 38,000
acres of cucurbits. It is possible to produce two cucurbit crops per
calendar year on a given acre, and therefore, the acreage could
potentially receive two applications of imidacloprid per calendar year.
Therefore, use under this exemption could potentially amount to a
maximum total of 19,000 lbs. of active ingredient, or 9,500 gal. of
product. This is the first time that the Applicant has applied for the
use of imidacloprid on cucurbits. However, the Applicant requested, and
was granted, specific exemptions for the use of bifenthrin for SPWF
control in cucurbits for the past two years (this is the third
consecutive year for the request for bifenthrin).
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require
publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a specific
exemption proposing use of a new chemical (i.e., an active ingredient
not contained in any currently registered pesticide). Such notice
provides for opportunity for public comment on the application.
Accordingly, interested persons may submit written views on this
subject to the Field Operations Division at the address above.
The Agency, accordingly, will review and consider all comments
received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the
emergency exemption requested by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticide and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: December 20, 1993.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-379 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]
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