[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 6093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2444]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-50804; FRL-4929-7]


Glufosinate-Ammonium; Receipt of an Application for an 
Experimental Use Permit

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On November 29, 1994, EPA received from AgrEvo USA Company, an 
application for an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) for the use of Liberty 
Herbicide which is a formulation of the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium, 
in the culture of corn and soybean plants that have been genetically 
modified to be tolerant to this herbicide. Due to recent interest in 
the introduction of transgenic plants into commercial agriculture, the 
Agency has determined that this application may be of regional and 
national significance. Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a), 
the Agency is soliciting public comments on this application.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 3, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments, in triplicate, should bear the docket control 
number OPP-50804 and be submitted 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. 1128, Crystal 
Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.
    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'' (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 to 
the submitter. Written comments will be available for public inspection 
in Rm. 1128 at the address given above, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Joanne I. Miller, Product 
Manager (PM) 23, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Rm. 237, Crystal Mall 
#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 305-7830.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 29, 1994, an application for an 
EUP was received from AgrEvo USA Company, 2711 Centerville Road, 
Wilmington, DE 19808 for the use of Liberty Herbicide which contains 
the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium, a formulated product containing the 
active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium and which was previously field 
tested under EPA Experimental Use Permit Number 8340-EUP-10, in the 
culture of transgenic corn and soybean plants modified to be tolerant 
to the herbicide. The transgenic corn and soybean plants have been 
genetically transformed by inserting a gene identified as the Bialophos 
Resistance Gene (BAR) containing the information to produce the enzyme, 
Phosphinotricin Acetyl Transferase (PAT), which detoxifies the 
herbicide during plant metabolism.
    The following are the proposed objectives for the testing program:
    1. Evaluate the efficacy of the PAT enzyme in conferring tolerance 
to Liberty Herbicide in transgenic corn and soybean plants. Data will 
be collected for stand, crop injury, flowering dates, yield, weight, 
moisture and stalk strength.
    2. Collect seed of transgenic lines for use in seed production.
    3. Evaluate the non-selective activity of Liberty Herbicide, tank 
mixes with residual herbicides and combinations of use of Liberty 
Herbicide with cultivation weed management methods.
    4. Evaluate the acceptability of a weed control program without the 
use of traditional soil preemergence residual herbicides.
    5. Evaluate the Liberty Herbicide formulation for use in spray 
equipment and to determine if the applicator understands how to use the 
product.
    The applicant requested the use of 449.0 pounds of the active 
ingredient on a total of 562 acres of corn and soybeans for the time 
period from approval to October 1, 1995. Testing is proposed for the 
states of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North 
Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, 
and Wisconsin. No petition for a temporary tolerance was submitted with 
the application because the treated crop will be destroyed or used for 
research purposes only.
    Upon review of the EUP request, any comments received in response 
to this notice and any other relevant information, EPA will decide 
whether to issue or deny the EUP. If issued, EPA will set conditions 
under which the experiments are to be conducted. Any issuance of an EUP 
by the Agency will be announced in the Federal Register.
    EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs has a Public Docket Room where a 
copy of the EUP application deleted of all ``Confidential Business 
Information'' will be available for public inspection. The Public 
Docket Room is located at Rm. 1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson 
Davis Highway, Arlington, VA; the hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

    Dated: January 19, 1995.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 95-2444 Filed 1-31-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F