[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40341-40342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13374]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2004-0295; FRL-7720-4]


Cyhexatin; Tolerance Reassessment Decision

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Tolerance 
Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the pesticide cyhexatin. The Agency's 
risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the 
Cyhexatin Docket. Through the tolerance reassessment program, EPA is 
ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and food safety 
standards.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Myers, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8589, fax 
number: (703) 308-8041; 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, and may be of 
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human 
health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide 
users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, 
or use of pesticides. Since others also may 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

[[Page 40342]]

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 identification (ID) number OPP-2004-0295. 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, 
1801 S. Bell St., 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 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. 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.1. 
Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the appropriate 
docket ID number.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    EPA has reassessed risks associated with use of the pesticide 
cyhexatin, and on June 13, 2005, reached a tolerance reassessment and 
risk management decision. Cyhexatin is used as an insecticide/acaricide 
to control mites on a variety of crops. The last U.S. product 
registration was canceled in 1989. There are currently 41 tolerances 
for cyhexatin. However, the manufacturers have indicated that they are 
only supporting the tolerance for orange juice for import purposes. 
Therefore, EPA will revoke all existing cyhexatin tolerances and a 
tolerance with no U.S. registrations will be established for orange, 
juice. The orange juice tolerance, in effect, replaces the existing 
citrus tolerance. This tolerance will be time-limited pending 
submission and review of confirmatory generic data. The Agency is now 
issuing a Report on Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance 
Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision for Cyhexatin, known 
as a TRED, as well as all related technical support documents.
    EPA must review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in 
effect when FQPA was enacted in August 1996, to ensure that these 
existing pesticide residue limits for food and feed commodities meet 
the safety standard established by the new law. Tolerances are 
considered reassessed once the safety finding has been made or a 
revocation occurs. EPA has reviewed and made the requisite safety 
finding for the orange juice tolerance only. The 41 existing cyhexatin 
tolerances will be proposed for revocation.
    EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all 
pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The 
Agency's Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public 
Participation Process, published in the Federal Register on May 14, 
2004, (69 FR 26819)(FRL-7357-9) explains that in conducting these 
programs, EPA is tailoring its public participation process to be 
commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of 
issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. 
Due to its uses, risks, and other factors, cyhexatin was reviewed 
through the modified 4-Phase public participation process. Through this 
process, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders and the public to 
reach the regulatory decisions for cyhexatin.
    The tolerance reassessment program is being conducted under 
Congressionally mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both 
to make timely decisions and to involve the public. A comment period is 
not needed for the cyhexatin TRED because all issues related to this 
pesticide were resolved through consultations with stakeholders. The 
Agency therefore is issuing the cyhexatin TRED without a comment 
period. However, the proposed tolerance revocation for cyhexatin will 
include a 30-day public comment period.

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

    Section 408(q) of the FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(q), requires EPA to 
review tolerances and exemptions for pesticide residues in effect as of 
August 2, 1996, to determine whether the tolerance or exemption meets 
the requirements of section 408(b)(2) or (c)(2) of FFDCA. This review 
is to be completed by August 3, 2006.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: June 29, 2005.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-13374 Filed 7-12-05; 8:45 am]
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