[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21706-21708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10054]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0207; FRL-9991-49]


Glufosinate Ammonium; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation amends tolerances for residues of glufosinate 
ammonium in or on Olive; Fruit, Stone (crop group 12-12); Nuts, Tree 
(crop group 14-12) and Soybean Hulls.

DATES: This regulation is effective May 15, 2019. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 15, 2019, and 
must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR 
part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0207, 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), West William Jefferson Clinton 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Goodis, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone 
number: (703) 305-7090; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government 
Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a(g), any person may file 
an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0207 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
July 15, 2019. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections and 
hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0207, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of August 14, 2018 (83 FR 40272) (FRL-9981-
10), EPA issued a notice pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP#8F8668) 
by Bayer CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12014, RTP, NCP 
27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.473

[[Page 21707]]

be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide 
glufosinate ammonium, butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) monoammonium salt, and its metabolites, 2-
(acetylamino)-4-(hydroxymethyl phosphinyl) butanoic acid, and 3-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propanoic acid, expressed as 2-amino-4-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid equivalents, in or on olive at 
0.50 parts per million (ppm); fruit, stone (crop group 12-12) at 0.30 
ppm; nut, tree (crop group 14-12) at 0.50 ppm, and soybean hulls at 10 
ppm. That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by 
Bayer CropScience, the registrant, which is available in the docket, 
http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response 
to the notice of filing.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a 
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a 
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure 
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary 
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable 
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 
residential settings but does not include occupational exposure. 
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . 
.''
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this 
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a 
determination on aggregate exposure for glufosinate ammonium including 
exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action. 
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with glufosinate 
ammonium follows.
    In the Federal Register of September 26, 2012 (77 FR 59106) (FRL-
9363-6), EPA established tolerances for residues of glufosinate 
ammonium in or on corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob 
with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover; fruit, citrus (crop group 10-
10); olive; fruit, pome (crop group 11-10); and fruit, stone (crop 
group 12-12). EPA concluded a risk assessment in 2013 for the 
registration review of glufosinate and in 2017 for an increase in use 
rates in/on canola, corn (field and sweet), and soybean and to 
incorporate 6(a)(2) data on pistachio. The 2018 risk assessment for an 
increase in tolerances for olive; fruit, stone (group 12-12); nut, tree 
(group 14-12); and soybean, hulls concluded that the 2012, 2013, and 
2017 risk assessments support the tolerance increases. The tolerance 
increases do not increase the dietary or aggregate risk estimates. A 
detailed discussion of the aggregate risk assessments and determination 
of safety for the tolerance increases can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in documents titled ``Glufosinate Ammonium. 
Abbreviated Risk Assessment for Increase in Tolerances for Olive, Stone 
Fruit (Group 12-12), Tree Nuts (Group 14-12), and Soybean Hull.'', 
``Glufosinate ammonium. Human Health Risk Assessment for the Label 
Amendment Increasing the Use Rate in/on Canola, Com (Field and sweet), 
and Soybean; and to Incorporate 6(a)(2) Data on Pistachio.'', 
``Glufosinate Ammonium. Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration 
Review.'', and ``Glufosinate Ammonium. Updated Human Health Risk 
Assessment for the Proposed New Use of Glufosinate Ammonium in/on 
Citrus Fruit (Crop Group 10), Pome Fruit (Crop Group 11), Stone Fruit 
(Crop Group 12), Olives and Sweet Corn'' in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2018-0207.
    EPA concludes that there is reasonable certainty that no harm will 
result to the general population or to infants and children from 
aggregate exposure to glufosinate ammonium residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An adequate enforcement methodology (high performance liquid 
chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/
MS)) is available to enforce the tolerance expression. The method may 
be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental 
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone 
number: (410) 305-2905; email address: [email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA 
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has not established a MRL for glufosinate ammonium in or 
on olive or soybean hulls. Codex has set a MRL for stone fruit at 0.15 
ppm, and a MRL for tree nuts at 0.1 ppm. EPA cannot harmonize 
recommended U.S. tolerance values with the Codex MRLs for stone fruit 
or tree nuts because the lower MRLs could be exceeded with the uses 
petitioned-for in this action.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of glufosinate 
ammonium, butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) 
monoammonium salt, and its metabolites, 2-(acetylamino)-4-
(hydroxymethyl phosphinyl) butanoic acid, and 3-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propanoic acid, expressed as 2-amino-4-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid equivalents, in or on olive at 
0.50 ppm; fruit, stone (crop group 12-12) at 0.30 ppm; nut, trees (crop 
group 14-12) at 0.50 ppm; and soybean, hulls at 10 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in 
response to a petition submitted to the Agency. 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). Because this action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``Actions Concerning 
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or 
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885,

[[Page 21708]]

April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any information 
collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require any special 
considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal Actions 
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerance 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.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    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 (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
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 
the rule in the Federal Register. This action 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: April 3, 2019.
Donna Davis,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. In Sec.  180.473, revise the entries ``Fruit, stone, group 12-12''; 
``Nut, tree, group 14-12''; ``Olive''; and ``Soybean, hulls'' in the 
table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.473   Glufosinate ammonium; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
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                                * * * * *
Fruit, stone, group 12-12...................................        0.30
 
                                * * * * *
Nut, tree, group 14-12......................................        0.50
Olive.......................................................        0.50
 
                                * * * * *
Soybean, hulls..............................................          10
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[FR Doc. 2019-10054 Filed 5-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P