[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36204-36208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17171]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0503; FRL-8427-2]


Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain 
Pesticide Registrations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a 
notice of receipt of requests by registrants to voluntarily cancel 
their registrations of products containing the pesticides disulfoton 
and methamidophos. The requests would terminate the last disulfoton and 
methamidophos products registered for use in the United States. EPA 
intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for 
this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments 
within the comment period that would merit its further review of the 
requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests within this 
period. Upon acceptance of these requests, any sale, distribution, or 
use of products listed in this notice will be permitted only if such 
sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in 
the final order.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number: Disulfoton - EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0054; Methamidophos - EPA-HQ-
OPP-2008-0842, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South 
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket Facility's normal hours of operation (8:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). 
Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2009-0054 for disulfoton and to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0842 
for methamidophos. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be 
included in the docket without change and may be made available on-line 
at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet 
and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly 
available docket materials are available either in the electronic 
docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard 
copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac 
Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of 
operation of this Docket

[[Page 36205]]

Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Office location
         Product Manager               Pesticide         for mail and      Telephone Number      Email Address
                                                        Special Courier
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Olson                        Methamidophos       Special Review and  (703) 308-8067      [email protected]
                                                       Registration
                                                       Division, Office
                                                       of Pesticide
                                                       Programs,
                                                       Environmental
                                                       Protection Agency
                                                      1200 Pennsylvania
                                                       Ave., NW.,.
                                                      Washington, DC
                                                       20460-0001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Miederhoff                   Disulfoton          Special Review and  (703) 347-8028      miederhoff.eric@ep
                                                       Registration                            a.gov
                                                       Division, Office
                                                       of Pesticide
                                                       Programs,
                                                       Environmental
                                                       Protection Agency
                                                      1200 Pennsylvania
                                                       Ave., NW.,.
                                                      Washington, DC
                                                       20460-0001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

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

     1.  Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, 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 claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes 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. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    2. Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
    i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
    iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
     iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
    v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
    vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
    vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of 
profanity or personal threats.
     viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Background on the Receipt of Requests to Cancel Registrations

    This notice announces receipt by EPA of requests from registrants 
Bayer CropScience, Bayer Environmental Science, Bayer Advanced (these 
registrants are collectively referred to henceforth as ``Bayer''), and 
Amvac Chemical to cancel six disulfoton Section-3 product 
registrations, five methamidophos Section-3 product registrations, 
thirteen disulfoton Special Local Need registrations, and seventeen 
methamidophos Special Local Need registrations. Disulfoton is an 
organophosphate insecticide registered for use on asparagus, beans, 
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cotton, coffee beans, 
lettuce, radish grown for seed, Christmas trees, Easter lilies, and 
residential ornamentals. Methamidophos is an organophosphate 
insecticide registered for the control of a broad spectrum of insects 
on cotton, potato, tomato, and alfalfa grown for seed. Bayer will amend 
its product registrations by terminating the use of methamidophos on 
cotton as of September 30, 2009. Existing stocks labeled for use on 
cotton may be sold and distributed by persons other than the registrant 
until July 31, 2010. Existing stocks labeled for use on cotton may be 
used until September 30, 2010, provided that such use complies with the 
EPA-approved label and labeling of the product.
    In letters dated June 16, 2009 and June 18, 2009, Bayer requested 
EPA cancel its remaining methamidophos and disulfoton pesticide product 
registrations identified in Table 1 of this notice. In a letter dated 
May 5, 2009, Amvac Chemical Corp. requested EPA cancel its disulfoton 
pesticide product registration identified in Table 1 of this notice. 
Cancelling these pesticide products will result in the termination of 
all remaining disulfoton and methamidophos products registered for use 
in the United States.

III. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    This notice announces receipt by EPA of requests from registrants 
to cancel disulfoton and methamidophos product registrations. The 
affected products and the registrants making the requests are 
identified in Tables 1 and 2 of this unit.
    Under section 6(f)(1)(A) of FIFRA, registrants may request, at any 
time, that their pesticide registrations be canceled or amended to 
terminate one or more pesticide uses. Section 6(f)(1)(B) of FIFRA 
requires that before acting on a request for voluntary cancellation, 
EPA must provide a 30-day public comment period on the request for 
voluntary cancellation or use termination. In addition, section 
6(f)(1)(C) of FIFRA requires that EPA provide a 180-day comment period 
on a request for voluntary cancellation or termination of any minor 
agricultural use before granting the request, unless:
    1. The registrants request a waiver of the comment period, or

[[Page 36206]]

    2. The Administrator determines that continued use of the pesticide 
would pose an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.
    The disulfoton and methamidophos registrants have requested that 
EPA waive the 180-day comment period. EPA will provide a 30-day comment 
period on the proposed requests.
    Unless a request is withdrawn by the registrant within 30-days of 
publication of this notice, or if the Agency determines that there are 
substantive comments that warrant further review of this request, an 
order will be issued canceling the affected registrations.

    Table 1.--Disulfoton and Methamidophos Product Registrations with
                    Pending Requests for Cancellation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Registration Number           Product Name      Active Ingredient
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-723                           Di-Syston 15%       Disulfoton
                                   Granular
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-725                           Disulfoton          Disulfoton
                                   Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-729                           Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-734                           Disulfoton 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-741                           Monitor Technical   Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-744                           Monitor 60%         Methamidophos
                                   Concentrate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-1020                          Monitor 4 Spray     Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264-1021                          Valent Monitor      Methamidophos
                                   Technical
------------------------------------------------------------------------
432-1286                          Systemic 2 in 1     Disulfoton
                                   Rose Care 10-10-
                                   10 Rose Food with
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5481-8989                         Terraclor Super-X   Disulfoton
                                   Soil Fungicide
                                   With Di-Syston
------------------------------------------------------------------------
72155-49                          Flower Rose and     Disulfoton
                                   Shrub Care
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AR970004                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA050010                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA780163                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA810044                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA840192                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA980013                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DE910002                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FL800046                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FL900003                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GA900001                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN790001                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LA040011                          Monitor 4 Liquid    Methamidophos
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MD910009                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MI060002                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NC860005                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NC880001                          Di-Syston 15%       Disulfoton
                                   Granular
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NC890007                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NC920011                          Di-Syston 15%       Disulfoton
                                   Granular
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 36207]]

 
NJ960010                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OH790008                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR040030                          Di- Syston 8        Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Disulfoton
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR050024                          Di-Syston           Disulfoton
                                   Disulfoton 8
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC780007                          Monitor 4 Liquid    Methamidophos
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TN060002                          Monitor 4 Liquid    Methamidophos
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TX910016                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
VA910005                          Monitor 4           Methamidophos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TX860007                          Di-Syston 8         Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA040015                          Di-Syston 8         Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA040028                          Di-Syston 15%       Disulfoton
                                   Granular
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA920026                          Di-Syston 8         Disulfoton
                                   Emulsifiable
                                   Systemic
                                   Insecticide
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 2 of this unit includes the names and addresses on record for 
the registrants of the products listed in Table 1 of this unit.

         Table 2.--Registrants Requesting Voluntary Cancellation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            EPA Company Number                Company Name and Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
264                                         Bayer CropScience,
                                            2 T.W. Alexander Drive
                                            Research Triangle Park,
                                             North Carolina 27709
------------------------------------------------------------------------
432                                         Bayer Environmental Science,
                                            2 T.W. Alexander Drive
                                            PO Box 12014,
                                            Research Triangle Park,
                                             North Carolina 27709
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5481                                        Amvac Corporation
                                            4695 Macarthur Court, Suite
                                             1250,
                                            Newport Beach, California
                                             92660-1706
------------------------------------------------------------------------
72155                                       Bayer Advanced
                                            2 T.W. Alexander Drive,
                                            PO Box 12014,
                                            Research Triangle Park,
                                             North Carolina 27709
------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. 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 or amended to terminate one or more uses. 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, 
following the public comment period, the Administrator may approve such 
a request.

V. Procedures for Withdrawal of Request and Considerations for 
Reregistration of Disulfoton and Methamidophos

    Registrants who choose to withdraw a request for cancellation must 
submit such withdrawal in writing to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, postmarked before August 21, 2009. 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 products have been subject to a previous cancellation action, the 
effective date of cancellation and all other provisions of any earlier 
cancellation action are controlling.

VI. Provisions for Disposition of Existing Stocks

    Existing stocks are those stocks of registered pesticide products 
which are currently in the United States and which were packaged, 
labeled, and released for shipment prior to the effective date of the 
cancellation action.
    In any order issued in response to these requests for cancellation 
of disulfoton and methamidophos product registrations, EPA proposes to 
include the following provisions for the treatment of any existing 
stocks of the products identified or referenced in Table 1 or 2 in Unit 
III:
    Bayer may sell and distribute such existing stocks for 
registrations 264-725, 264-729, 264-734, 264-741, 264-744, 264-1020, 
264-1021, and 432-1286 until December 31, 2010. Bayer may sell and 
distribute such existing stocks for registration 264-723 and 72155-49 
until June 30, 2011. Amvac Chemical Corp. may sell and distribute such 
existing stocks for registration 5481-8989 until December 31, 2010.
    If the request for voluntary cancellation is granted as discussed 
in this unit, the Agency intends to issue a cancellation order that 
will allow persons other than the registrant to continue to sell and/or 
use existing stocks of canceled products until such stocks are 
exhausted, provided that such use is consistent with the terms of the 
previously approved labeling on, or that accompanied, the canceled 
product. The order will specifically prohibit any use of existing 
stocks that is not consistent with such previously approved labeling. 
If, as the Agency currently intends, the final cancellation order 
contains the existing stocks provision just described, the order will 
be sent only to the affected registrants of the canceled products. If 
the Agency determines that the final cancellation order should contain 
existing stocks provisions different than the ones just described,

[[Page 36208]]

the Agency will publish the cancellation order in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: July 10, 2009.
 R. McNally,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. E9-17171 Filed 7-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S