[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60431-60432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24216]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0878; FRL-9364-4]


Agrobacterium radiobacter strains K84/Kerr-84 and K1026; Notice 
of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's final 
registration review decision for the pesticide Agrobacterium 
radiobacter strains K84/Kerr-84 and K1026, case 4101. Registration 
review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure 
that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for 
registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended 
function without causing unreasonable adverse effects on human health 
or the environment. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that each 
pesticide's registration is based on current scientific and other 
knowledge, including its effects on human health and the environment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    For pesticide specific information, contact: Ann Sibold, 
Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6502; 
fax number: (703) 308-7026; email address: [email protected].
    For general information on the registration review program, 
contact: Kevin Costello, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 305-5026; fax number: (703) 308-8090; email 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, farm worker, 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 pesticide specific contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    The docket for this action, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0878, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public Reading Room is open 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 
566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP Docket is (703) 305-
5805. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information 
about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Background

A. What action is the agency taking?

    In accordance with 40 CFR 155.58(c), this notice announces the 
availability of EPA's final registration review decision for 
Agrobacterium radiobacter strains K84/Kerr-84 and K1026, case 4101. 
When used as a microbial pest control agent in seed, root, and stem 
treatments of nonbearing fruit, nut, and ornamental plants, 
Agrobacterium radiobacter is intended to protect treated plants from 
Crown Gall, which is caused by the plant pathogen, Agrobacterium 
tumefaciens. Both strains of Agrobacterium radiobacter control 
Agrobacterium tumefaciens through direct competition, which is 
primarily accomplished by the production of agrocin 84, a bacteriocin 
produced by both Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 and strain K1026 
that is specific for certain pathogenic strains of Agrobacterium spp. 
Bacteriocins are peptides that are produced by certain bacteria, and 
are known to inhibit the growth of other bacteria.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 155.57, a registration review decision is 
the Agency's determination whether a pesticide meets, or does not meet, 
the standard for registration in FIFRA. EPA has considered 
Agrobacterium radiobacter strains K84/Kerr-84 and K1026 in light of the 
FIFRA standard for registration. The Agrobacterium radiobacter strains 
K84/Kerr-84 and K1026 Final Decision document in the docket describes 
the Agency's rationale for issuing a registration review final decision 
for this pesticide.
    In addition to the final registration review decision document, the 
registration review docket for Agrobacterium radiobacter strains K84/
Kerr-84 and K1026 also includes other relevant documents related to the 
registration review of this case. The proposed registration review 
decision was posted to the docket and the public was invited to submit 
any comments or

[[Page 60432]]

new information. During the 60-day comment period, no public comments 
were received.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 155.58(c), the registration review case 
docket for Agrobacterium radiobacter strains K84/Kerr-84 and K1026 will 
remain open until all actions required in the final decision have been 
completed.
    Background on the registration review program is provided at: 
http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review. Links to earlier 
documents related to the registration review of this pesticide are 
provided at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review/agrobacterium_radiobacter/index.html.

B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

    Section 3(g) of FIFRA and 40 CFR part 155, subpart C, provide 
authority for this action.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Registration review, Pesticides and 
pests.

    Dated: September 25, 2012.
Keith A. Matthews,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-24216 Filed 10-2-12; 8:45 am]
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