[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 26, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45922-45925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18908]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-301023; FRL-6597-1]
RIN 2070-AB78


Imidacloprid; Extension of Tolerance for Emergency Exemptions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for residues 
of the insecticide imidacloprid and its metabolites in or on citrus 
fruits (crop group 10) at 1.0 parts per million (ppm), dried citrus 
pulp at 5.0 ppm, legume vegetables (crop group 6) at 1.0 ppm, and 
strawberries at 0.1 ppm for an additional 2-year period. These 
tolerances will expire and are revoked on June 30, 2002. This action is 
in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under section 18 
of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act authorizing 
use of the pesticide on citrus, succulent beans (part of the legume 
vegetables crop group), and strawberries. Section 408(l)(6) of the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires EPA to establish a time-
limited tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for 
pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a 
pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18 
of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

DATES: This regulation is effective July 26, 2000. Objections and 
requests for

[[Page 45923]]

hearings, identified by docket control number OPP-301023, must be 
received by EPA on or before September 25, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests may be submitted by 
mail, in person, or by courier. Please follow the detailed instructions 
for each method as provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, your objections and 
hearing requests must identify docket control number OPP-301023 in the 
subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Andrew Ertman, Registration 
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (703) 308-9367; and e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be affected by this action if you are an agricultural 
producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially 
affected categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Examples of
           Categories                 NAICS codes         potentially
                                                       affected entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry                          111                 Crop production
                                  112                 Animal production
                                  311                 Food manufacturing
                                  32532               Pesticide
                                                       manufacturing
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and 
Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under the 
``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly 
to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket control number OPP-301023. The official record 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, and 
other information related to this action, including any information 
claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official 
record includes the documents that are physically located in the 
docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those 
documents. The public version of the official record does not include 
any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official 
record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic 
comments submitted during an applicable comment period is available for 
inspection in the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch 
(PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., 
Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    EPA issued a final rule, published in the Federal Register of July 
9, 1997 (62 FR 36691) (FRL-5729-4), which announced that on its own 
initiative under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended by the Food Quality Protection 
Act of 1996 (FQPA) (Public Law 104-170) it established time-limited 
tolerances for the residues of imidacloprid and its metabolites in or 
on the citrus fruits crop group at 1.0 part per million (ppm) and dried 
citrus pulp at 5.0 ppm, with an expiration date of December 31, 1998. 
These tolerances were extended on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66438) (FRL-
6037-2), for an additional 18-month period to June 30, 2000.
    EPA issued a final rule, published in the Federal Register of 
January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3037) (FRL-6051-6), which announced that on its 
own initiative under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended by the Food Quality 
Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) (Public Law 104-170) it established time-
limited tolerances for the residues of imidacloprid and its metabolites 
in or on legume vegetables (crop group 6) at 1.0 ppm and strawberries 
at 0.1 ppm, with an expiration date of June 30, 2000.
    EPA established the tolerances because section 408(l)(6) of the 
FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption 
from the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in 
food that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency 
exemption granted by EPA under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Such tolerances can be 
established without providing notice or period for public comment.
    EPA received a request to extend the use of imidacloprid on citrus 
for this year's growing season due to an emergency concerning the 
spread of Pierce's Disease to wine grapes in California. By controlling 
the glassy-winged sharpshooter, the vector of Pierce's Disease in 
citrus, the state hopes to prevent the spread of the disease to grapes.
    EPA received a request to extend the use of imidacloprid on 
succulent beans (part of the legume vegetable crop group) for this 
year's growing season due to an emergency with silverleaf whitefly on 
succulent beans in Georgia.
    EPA received a request to extend the use of imidacloprid on 
strawberries for this year's growing season due to the continuing 
emergency in California. California requested a specific exemption for 
use of imidacloprid on strawberries to control the silverleaf whitefly. 
The situation in the state of California remains an emergency as there 
have been no adequate alternatives made available since the initial 
request for this use. An emergency situation is present due to this 
recently introduced pest, its devastating effects on many fruit and 
vegetable crops, and its resistance to registered alternatives.
    After having reviewed the submissions, EPA concurs that emergency 
conditions exist for the situations in these states. EPA has authorized 
under FIFRA section 18 the use of imidacloprid on citrus for control of 
the glassy-winged sharpshooter in California, the use of imidacloprid 
on succulent beans for control of silverleaf whiteflies in Georgia, and 
the use of imidacloprid on strawberries for control of silverleaf 
whiteflies in California.
    EPA assessed the potential risks presented by residues of 
imidacloprid in or on citrus, citrus pulp, legume vegetables, and 
strawberries. In doing so, EPA considered the safety standard in FFDCA 
section 408(b)(2), and decided that the necessary tolerances under 
FFDCA section 408(l)(6) would be consistent with the safety standard 
and with FIFRA section 18. The data and

[[Page 45924]]

other relevant material have been evaluated and discussed in the final 
rules of July 9, 1997 (62 FR 36691) and January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3037). 
Based on that data and information considered, the Agency reaffirms 
that extension of the time-limited tolerances will continue to meet the 
requirements of section 408(l)(6). Therefore, the time-limited 
tolerances are extended for an additional 2-year period. EPA will 
publish a document in the Federal Register to remove the revoked 
tolerances from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although these 
tolerances will expire and are revoked on June 30, 2002, under FFDCA 
section 408(l)(5), residues of the pesticide not in excess of the 
amounts specified in the tolerances remaining in or on citrus, dried 
citrus pulp, legume vegetables, or strawberries after that date will 
not be unlawful, provided the pesticide is applied in a manner that was 
lawful under FIFRA, and the application occurred prior to the 
revocation of the tolerances. EPA will take action to revoke these 
tolerances earlier if any experience with, scientific data on, or other 
relevant information on this pesticide indicate that the residues are 
not safe.

III. Objections and Hearing Requests

    Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any 
person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may 
also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural 
regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for 
hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those 
regulations require some modification to reflect the amendments made to 
the FFDCA by the FQPA of 1996, EPA will continue to use those 
procedures, with appropriate adjustments, until the necessary 
modifications can be made. The new section 408(g) provides essentially 
the same process for persons to ``object'' to a regulation for an 
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new 
section 408(d), as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409. 
However, the period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 
30 days.

A. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?

    You must file your objection or request a hearing on this 
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit 
and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must 
identify docket control number OPP-301023 in the subject line on the 
first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and 
must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before September 
25, 2000.
    1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific 
provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for 
the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the 
objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a 
hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a 
summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27). 
Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing 
request 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 
information 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.
    Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460. You may also deliver your request to the Office 
of the Hearing Clerk in Rm. C400, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 260-4865.
    2. Tolerance fee payment. If you file an objection or request a 
hearing, you must also pay the fee prescribed by 40 CFR 180.33(i) or 
request a waiver of that fee pursuant to 40 CFR 180.33(m). You must 
mail the fee to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, Office 
of Pesticide Programs, P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. Please 
identify the fee submission by labeling it ``Tolerance Petition Fees.''
    EPA is authorized to waive any fee requirement ``when in the 
judgement of the Administrator such a waiver or refund is equitable and 
not contrary to the purpose of this subsection.'' For additional 
information regarding the waiver of these fees, you may contact James 
Tompkins by phone at (703) 305-5697, by e-mail at [email protected], 
or by mailing a request for information to Mr. Tompkins at Registration 
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    If you would like to request a waiver of the tolerance objection 
fees, you must mail your request for such a waiver to: James Hollins, 
Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    3. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or 
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit III.A., you 
should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion 
in the official record that is described in Unit I.B.2. Mail your 
copies, identified by docket control number OPP-301023, to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. 
In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the PIRIB 
described in Unit I.B.2. You may also send an electronic copy of your 
request via e-mail to: [email protected]. Please use an ASCII file 
format and avoid the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Copies of electronic objections and hearing requests will 
also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 file format or ASCII 
file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may 
also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal 
Depository Libraries.

B. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?

    A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator 
determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a 
genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a reasonable 
possibility that available evidence identified by the requestor would, 
if established resolve one or more of such issues in favor of the 
requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts to the 
contrary; and resolution of the factual issues(s) in the manner sought 
by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40 
CFR 178.32).

IV. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

    This final rule establishes time-limited tolerances under FFDCA 
section 408. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted 
these types of actions from review under Executive Order 12866, 
entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). 
This final rule does not contain any information collections subject to 
OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq., or impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate 
as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates

[[Page 45925]]

Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any 
prior consultation as specified by Executive Order 13084, entitled 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 
27655, May 19, 1998); special considerations as required by Executive 
Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice 
in Minority Populations and Low- Income Populations (59 FR 7629, 
February 16, 1994); or require OMB review or any Agency action under 
Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 
1997). This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note). Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the 
basis of a FIFRA section 18 petition under FFDCA section 408, such as 
the tolerances in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a 
proposed rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. In addition, the Agency has 
determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect 
on States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, 
entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 
13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' This final 
rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food handlers and 
food retailers, not States. This action does not alter the 
relationships or distribution of power and responsibilities established 
by Congress in the preemption provisions of FFDCA section 408(n)(4).

V. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final 
rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: July 12, 2000.
James Jones,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346(a) and 371.

Sec. 180.472  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 180.472, amend the table in paragraph (b), by revising 
the expiration/revocation date for the following commodities: ``Citrus 
fruits crop group,'' ``Dried citrus pulp,'' ``Legume vegetables'' and 
``Strawberry'' from ``6/30/00'' to read ``6/30/02''.

[FR Doc. 00-18908 Filed 7-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F