[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53371-53374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22937]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2003-0263; FRL-7321-2]


Dimethoate; Receipt of Requests for Amendment to Remove Uses

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The companies that hold the pesticide registrations of 
products containing dimethoate have submitted requests to modify their 
technical labels to remove uses on certain crops. These crops consist 
of apples, grapes, cabbage, collards, spinach, head lettuce, broccoli

[[Page 53372]]

raab, fennel, tomatillo, lespedeza, and trefoil. It is necessary to 
cancel use on apples, grapes, cabbage, collards, spinach, and head 
lettuce as part the process of revising the dimethoate human health 
risk assessment.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP-
2003-0263, must be received on or before October 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Dobak, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8180; fax 
number: (703) 308-7042; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, nevertheless, a 
wide range of stakeholders may be interested in dimethoate availability 
and use on apples, grapes, cabbage, collards, spinach, head lettuce, 
broccoli raab, fennel, tomatillo, lespedeza, and trefoil, including 
environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical 
industry, pesticide users, and members of the public interested in the 
use of pesticides on food. Since other entities may also be interested, 
the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that 
may be affected by this action. If you have any 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 Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket (ID) number OPP-2003-0263. The official public 
docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this 
action, any public comments received, and other information related to 
this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket 
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official 
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for 
public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch 
(PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., 
Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone 
number is (703) 305-5805.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' 
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in EPA's Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit I.B. EPA intends to work towards 
providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket 
materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the 
appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of 
your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the 
comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider 
these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is 
otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit 
I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information 
protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, 
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in 
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the 
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter 
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be 
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact 
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's 
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or 
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included 
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, 
and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot 
read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you 
for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit

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comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving 
comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket, and 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the 
system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number OPP-2003-
0263. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA 
will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to [email protected], 
Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2003-0263. In contrast to EPA's 
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous 
access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket 
without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail 
system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses 
that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as 
part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and 
made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2003-0263.
    3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide 
Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 
2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket 
ID Number OPP-2003-0263. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1.

D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI 
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You 
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part 
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in 
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes 
any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not 
contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion 
in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit 
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside 
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information 
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's 
electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any 
questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that 
support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternatives.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline 
identified.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket 
ID number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It 
would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation related to your comments.

II. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    This notice announces the amended registration requests by 
Cheminova, Inc., BASF, Gowan, Drexel, and Microflo for the deletion of 
certain uses from their products containing dimethoate. The uses 
requested for deletion are: Apples, grapes, cabbage, collards, spinach, 
head lettuce, broccoli raab, fennel, tomatillo, lespedeza, and trefoil. 
In addition, the registrants waived the 180-day comment period for 
these use deletions.
    Dimethoate is a systemic organophosphate insecticide registered for 
use on a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, grains, ornamentals, and 
forestry uses. The registered uses on apples, grapes, cabbage, 
collards, spinach, and head lettuce have been identified as 
significantly contributing to the dietary risks associated with human 
consumption of these crops. The other registered uses included in this 
notice, broccoli raab, fennel, tomatillo, lespedeza, and trefoil, were 
added to the requests based on follow-up to previously submitted 
comments stating that these crops would not be supported for 
reregistration. This notice announces EPA's receipt of the use deletion 
requests and a 30-day public comment period to provide input regarding 
the requests. The Agency believes that the impact to growers on 
deleting broccoli raab, fennel, tomatillo, lespedeza, and trefoil will 
be minimal. Although there is significant use on apples, grapes, 
cabbage, collards, spinach, and head lettuce, the technical registrants 
have elected to delete these uses in order to address dietary risks 
from dimethoate. The following table includes the names and 
registration numbers for the affected products:

        Manufacturing-Use Product Registration Amendment Requests
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             Company               Registration No.         Product
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Cheminova                         4787-7              Chemathoate
                                                       Technical
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BASF                              7969-32             Perfekthion
                                                       Manufactures'
                                                       Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gowan                             10163-211           Gowan Dimethoate
                                                       Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drexel                            19713-209           Drexel Dimethoate
                                                       Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micro Flo                         51036-279           Dimethoate
                                                       Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 6(f)(1) of FIFRA provides that a registrant of a pesticide 
product may at any time request that any of its pesticide registrations 
be canceled. FIFRA further provides that, before acting on the request, 
EPA must publish a notice of receipt of any such request in the Federal 
Register. Thereafter, the Administrator may approve such a request.

IV. Procedures for Withdrawal of Request

    Registrants who choose to withdraw a request for cancellation must 
submit

[[Page 53374]]

such withdrawal in writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT, postmarked before October 10, 2003. This written 
withdrawal of the request for cancellation will apply only to the 
applicable FIFRA section 6(f)(1) request listed in this notice. If the 
product(s) have been subject to a previous cancellation action, the 
effective date of cancellation and all other provisions of any earlier 
cancellation action are controlling. The withdrawal request must also 
include a commitment to pay any reregistration fees due, and to fulfill 
any applicable unsatisfied data requirements.

V. Provisions for Disposition of Existing Stocks

    The effective date of cancellation will be the date of the 
cancellation order. The orders effecting these requested cancellations 
will generally permit a registrant to sell or distribute existing 
stocks for 1-year after the date the cancellation order is issued. This 
policy is in accordance with the Agency's statement of policy as 
prescribed in the Federal Register of June 26, 1991 (56 FR 29362) (FRL-
3846-4). Exceptions to this general rule will be made if a product 
poses a risk concern, or is in noncompliance with reregistration 
requirements, or is subject to a Data Call-In. In all cases, product-
specific disposition dates will be given in the cancellation orders.
    Existing stocks are those stocks of registered pesticide products 
which are currently in the United States and which have been packaged, 
labeled, and released for shipment prior to the effective date of the 
cancellation action. Unless the provisions of an earlier order apply, 
existing stocks already in the hands of dealers or users can be 
distributed, sold, or used legally until they are exhausted, provided 
that such further sale and use comply with the EPA-approved label and 
labeling of the affected product. Exception to these general rules will 
be made in specific cases when more stringent restrictions on sale, 
distribution, or use of the products or their ingredients have already 
been imposed, as in a Special Review action, or where the Agency has 
identified significant potential risk concerns associated with a 
particular chemical.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: August 27, 2003.
 Betty Shackleford,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 03-22937 Filed 9-9-03; 8:45 am]
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