[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63713-63714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31550]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-50836; FRL-5758-9]


Receipt of an Application for an Experimental Use Permit; 
Genetically Engineered Microbial Pesticide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of an application (EUP No. 524-
EUP-II) from Monsanto Company requesting an experimental use permit for 
a genetically engineered microbial plant-pesticide CryIA(c) expressed 
in tomato plant cells. The Agency has determined that the 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 January 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Information and 
Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, deliver comments to: 
Rm. 1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: opp-
[email protected]. Follow the instructions under Unit II. of this 
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.
    Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
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 will be included in the 
public docket by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is 
available for public inspection in Rm. 1132 at the Virginia address 
given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays.


[[Page 63714]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Willie H. Nelson, PM 90, 
Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511W), 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 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, telephone: 
(703) 308-8682, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    EPA has received an application from Monsanto Company of St. Louis 
Missouri for an experimental use permit (EUP). This EUP application is 
assigned EUP No. 524-EUP-II. The proposed experiment involves the field 
testing of the transgenic plant-pesticide CryIA(c) expressed in tomato 
plant cells. The program will involve field testing of a maximum of 500 
acres of transgenic plantings in California, Florida, Georgia, and 
Puerto Rico. CryIA(c) is currently registered for use on cotton (EPA 
registration number 524-478). CryIA(c) is currently exempted from the 
requirements of a tolerance under 40 CFR 180.1154 and 180.1155; 
therefore, a tolerance exemption is not needed for this product.
    Testing will be conducted in the following states: California, 
Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. The purpose of this EUP is to test 
the efficacy of this active ingredient against target pests, conduct 
research for the better understanding of resistance management, 
development of IPM logistics, evaluate agronomic performance and 
continue plant breeding activities, and test marking potential of the 
fruit. The total acreage testing will be no more than 500, and only a 
maximum of 138.9 grams of the active ingredient CryIA(c) will be 
shipped, in the form of tomato seed and/or transplants.
    Plantings grown for agronomic evaluation will be sold to 
processors. Seeds will be saved for future research or planting by 
Monsanto.

II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions

    The official record for this action, as well as the public version, 
has been established for this action under docket control number ``OPP-
50836'' (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 Virginia 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 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file 
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by 
the docket control number ``OPP-50836.'' Electronic comments on this 
document may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection.

    Dated: November 21, 1997.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-31550 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F