[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 50579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24288]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00416; FRL-4981-3]


Establishment of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces the establishment of a Pesticide 
Program Dialogue Committee. This Committee is being established to 
provide a forum for a diverse group of individuals to provide advice 
and assistance to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) regarding 
pesticide regulatory development and reform initiatives, evolving 
public policy and program implementation issues, and science issues 
associated with evaluating and reducing risks from use of pesticides. 
The Agency has determined that this is in the public interest and will 
assist the Agency in performing its duties as prescribed in the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Copies of the Committee Charter 
will be filed with the appropriate committees of Congress and the 
Library of Congress. The Committee's first meeting will be scheduled in 
the Fall of 1995 and will be open to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons needing further information or 
seeking to obtain a copy of the Committee Charter should contact: 
Margie Fehrenbach, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mail Code 7501C, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 
20460, Telephone: (703) 305-7090, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is entrusted with the 
responsibility of ensuring the safety of the American food supply; the 
protection from unreasonable risk or exposure of those who apply 
pesticides, or are exposed to pesticides occupationally or through use 
of products; and, general protection of the environment and special 
ecosystems from potential risks posed by pesticides. OPP must also make 
sure that pesticides are regulated fairly and help ensure that 
effective measures for controlling pests are available through careful 
balancing of pesticide risks and benefits.
    Pesticides are used in a remarkably diverse array of products, 
including insect repellents, agricultural weed killers, household 
disinfectants, swimming pool chemicals, to name a few. They are likely 
to be found or used in nearly every home and business in the United 
States, where over one billion pounds of pesticide chemicals are used 
each year. Thus, public concern over potential risks to human health 
and the environment from pesticides is significant.
    While several mechanisms are in place to try to involve the public 
in pesticide decisionmaking activities, the Pesticide Program Dialogue 
Committee will bring together a broad cross-section of knowledgeable 
individuals from organizations representing divergent views to discuss 
pesticide regulatory, policy and implementation issues. EPA proposed 
the establishment of a dialogue committee to foster the exchange of 
ideas and information so that feasible regulatory and policy changes 
could be developed. Dialogue with outside groups is essential if OPP is 
to be responsive to the needs of the affected public and industry 
organizations.
    The creation of a Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) will provide the structured 
environment for meaningful information exchanges and consensus building 
discussions.

II. Participants

    The Group will have approximately 20 members. OPP will carefully 
monitor membership to ensure that there is a balanced representation 
from industry/trade associations; pesticide user and commodity groups; 
consumer and environmental/public interest groups; and others.
    EPA anticipates that the committee will contain the following types 
of representatives: environmental/public interest groups, chemical 
industry/trade associations, commodity and user groups, State and 
Regional representatives, other Federal agencies, the public health 
community, congressional committees, academia, and the general public.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection.

    Dated: September 25, 1995.
Daniel M. Barolo,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 95-24288 Filed 9-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F