[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8103]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 6, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180928; FRL 4771-1]
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 Arizona
Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'')
to use the pesticide imidacloprid (CAS 105827-78-9) to treat up to
25,000 acres of melons 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 April 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180928,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Program Resource 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, 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 melons 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 sweet potato whitefly
(SPWF) is a relatively new pest on melons. The SPWF has caused severe
economic damage to several other commodities nationwide including
cotton, lettuce, squash, beans, peanuts, and ornamentals. According to
the Applicant, SPWF populations for this season are expected to be
widespread, and heavy enough to cause serious economic loss to the
melon 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 and that without imidacloprid, melon growers will
incur a significant economic loss.
Along with this request, the Applicant has also requested a
specific exemption for use of a different chemical (bifenthrin) on
melons 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 non-
systemic, 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 25,000
acres of melons. Use under this exemption could potentially amount to a
maximum total of 6,250 lbs. of active ingredient, or 3,125 gal. of
product. This is the first time that the Applicant has applied for the
use of imidacloprid on melons. However, the Applicant requested, and
was granted, specific exemptions for the use of bifenthrin for SPWF
control in melons 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 Arizona Department of Agriculture.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticide and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: March 25, 1994.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-8103 Filed 4-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F