[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 39518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19387]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-50833; FRL-5731-8]


Receipt of a Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Field Testing of 
a Genetically Engineered Microbial Pesticide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a notification (241-NMP-L) of 
intent to conduct small-scale field testing involving a microorganism, 
Helicoverpa zea single-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV), 
which has been genetically engineered to (1) express an insect-specific 
pesticidal toxin, AaH IT1, from the scorpion Androctonus australis and 
(2) prevent expression of the ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase gene. 
American Cyanamid Company intends to test this microbial pesticide on 
cotton in seven states for control of the tobacco budworm and the 
cotton bollworm. The Agency has determined that these notifications may 
be of regional and national significance. Therefore, in accordance with 
40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is soliciting public comments on these 
notifications.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to EPA by August 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments identified by the document 
control number [OPP-50833] and the appropriate file symbol to: Public 
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Divisions 
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 
1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following 
the instructions under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION unit of this 
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Schneider, Biopesticides 
and Pollution Prevention Division (7501W), Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: 5th 
Floor, CS #1, 2805 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8683; 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of receipt of this notification does 
not imply a decision by the Agency on this notification.
    1. A Notification (241-NMP-L) was received from American Cyanamid 
Company. The proposed small-scale field trial involves the introduction 
of a baculovirus, Helicoverpa zea single-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis 
virus (HzSNPV), which has been genetically engineered to express a gene 
which encodes for an insect-specific pesticidal toxin, AaH IT1, from 
the venom of the scorpion Androctonus australis. In addition, the gene 
for ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (EGT) has been replaced with 
the same gene containing a deletion so that this enzyme will not be 
produced in the infected insect larvae. When insects are infected with 
the naturally-occurring (wild-type) virus, EGT prevents the insect from 
molting, and the insect will continue to eat and grow without molting. 
In contrast, an insect infected with the engineered virus, will not eat 
or molt resulting in death one to two days earlier than seen for the 
wild-type virus.
    2. American Cyanamid has previously field tested a different 
baculovirus engineered to express the same toxin and having the same 
EGT deletion in 1995 and 1996. The purpose of the proposed testing will 
be to evaluate the efficacy of the baculovirus against the tobacco 
budworm (Heliothis virescens) and the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) 
on cotton. The total acreage for all sites will not exceed 3.9 acres. 
Individual tests will be conducted in: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas. The total amount of 
HzSNPV for all of the testing will not exceed 100 grams of active 
ingredient. On completion of the test, the crops will be destroyed. 
Ground spray equipment will be used and will be disinfected with 0.1% 
bleach solution following use.
    Following review of these notifications and any comments received 
in response to this notice, EPA may approve the tests, ask for 
additional data, require additional modifications to the test 
protocols, or require EUP applications to be submitted. In accordance 
with 40 CFR 172.50, under no circumstances shall the proposed tests 
proceed until the submitters have received notice from EPA of its 
approval of such tests.
    The official record for this notice, as well as the public version, 
has been established for this notice under docket control number [OPP-
50833] (including comments and data submitted electronically as 
described below). A public version of this record, including printed, 
paper versions of electronic comments, which does not include any 
information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
official rulemaking record is located at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' 
at the beginning of this document.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
[email protected]
    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comment and data 
will also be accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII 
file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be 
identified by the docket control number [OPP-50833] and the appropriate 
file symbol. Electronic comments on this notice may be filed online at 
many Federal Depository Libraries.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection and Genetically engineered microbial 
pesticides.

    Dated: July 16, 1997.

Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-19387 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
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