[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1239]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 19, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180917; FRL 4754-1]

 

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 
Michigan Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the 
``Applicant'') for use of the insecticide imidacloprid (trade name 
Admire 2 Flowable) (CAS No. 105827-78-9) to manage insecticide 
resistance in Colorado potato beetle on up to 30,000 acres of potatoes 
in Michigan. 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 February 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification 
notation ``OPP-180917,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public 
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division 
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, D.C. 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 #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: Libby Pemberton, Registration 
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. Office 
location and telephone number: CS#1, Room 52, 6th Floor, 2800 Jefferson 
Davis Highway, Arlington, VA (703-308-8326).

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 the insecticide, imidacloprid, available as Admire 2 Flowable, from 
Miles Inc., to control pesticide resistant Colorado potato beetle (CPB) 
on up to 30,000 acres of potatoes in Michigan. Information in 
accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request. 
According to the Applicant, this emergency is the direct result of 
severe insecticide resistance problems and the extreme population 
levels built up because of the growers' inability to control CPB.
    The Applicant states that year-to-year changes in weather and 
varieties make it difficult to track long term trends in potato beetle 
injury. However, there is no visible increase in yields during this 
period in spite of major improvements in average yield of new varieties 
and widespread increases in use of irrigation. Under current severe 
insecticide resistance and defoliation by Colorado potato beetles, 
average production of potatoes per acre in Michigan has not increased 
significantly in the past eight years. Losses plus control costs in 
1993 were $10.53 million - more than 13 percent of the entire 
industry's expected gross profits. Under the proposed exemption, one 
application of Admire 2 Flowable would be made at the rate of 0.9 to 
1.3 fl. oz. per 1,000 feet of row. This is equivalent to 13.8 to 20 fl. 
oz. of formulated product per acre with 34 inches between the rows.
    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 in the Federal Register and solicit 
public comment on an application for a specific exemption proposing use 
of a new chemical (i.e., an active ingredient not contained in any 
currently registered pesticide) [40 CFR 166.34 (a)(1)]. Imidacloprid is 
a new chemical. Accordingly, interested persons may submit written 
views on this subject to the Field Operations Division at the address 
above. The Agency will review and consider all comments received during 
the comment period in determining whether to issue the emergency 
exemption requested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticide and pests, Crisis exemptions.

    Dated: January 6, 1994.

Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 94-1239 Filed 1-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F