E8-2094. 2,4-D, Bensulide, DCPA, Desmedipham, Dimethoate, Fenamiphos, Phorate, Sethoxydim, Terbufos, and Tetrachlorvinphos; Proposed Tolerance Actions

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to revoke certain tolerances for the herbicide sethoxydim and the insecticides dimethoate, fenamiphos, terbufos, and tetrachlorvinphos. Also, EPA is proposing to modify certain tolerances for the herbicides 2,4-D, DCPA, desmedipham, and sethoxydim and the insecticides dimethoate, fenamiphos, phorate, and tetrachlorvinphos. In addition, EPA is proposing to establish new tolerances for the herbicides bensulide and sethoxydim. The regulatory actions proposed in this document are in follow-up to the Agency's reregistration program under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and tolerance reassessment program under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) section 408(q).

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 7, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 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'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 [phone].

Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674. 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 in regulations.gov. To access the electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select “Advanced Search,” then “Docket Search.” Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the “Submit” button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access available documents. 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 Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone number is [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jane Smith, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

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. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:

• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code 112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in Unit II.A. 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.

C. What Can I do if I Wish the Agency to Maintain a Tolerance that the Agency Proposes to Revoke?

This proposed rule provides a comment period of 60 days for any person to state an interest in retaining a tolerance proposed for revocation. If EPA receives a comment within the 60-day period to that effect, EPA will not proceed to revoke the tolerance immediately. However, EPA will take steps to ensure the submission of any needed supporting data and will issue an order in the Federal Register under FFDCA section 408(f), if needed. The order would specify data needed and the timeframes for its submission, and would require that within 90 days some person or persons notify EPA that they will submit the data. If the data are not submitted as required in the order, EPA will take appropriate action under FFDCA.

EPA issues a final rule after considering comments that are submitted in response to this proposed rule. In addition to submitting comments in response to this proposal, you may also submit an objection at the time of the final rule. If you fail to file an objection to the final rule within the time period specified, you will have waived the right to raise any issues resolved in the final rule. After the specified time, issues resolved in the final rule cannot be raised again in any subsequent proceedings.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

EPA is proposing to revoke, modify, and establish specific tolerances for residues of the herbicides 2,4-D, bensulide, DCPA, desmedipham, and sethoxydim and the insecticides fenamiphos, phorate, dimethoate, terbufos, and tetrachlorvinphos in or on commodities listed in the regulatory text.

EPA is proposing these tolerance actions to implement the tolerance recommendations made during the reregistration and tolerance reassessment processes (including follow-up on canceled or additional uses of pesticides). As part of these processes, EPA is required to determine whether each of the amended tolerances meets the safety standard of FFDCA. The safety finding determination of “reasonable certainty of no harm” is discussed in detail in each Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) and Report of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision (TRED) for the active ingredient. REDs and TREDs recommend the implementation of certain tolerance actions, including modifications to reflect current use patterns, meet safety findings, and change commodity names and groupings in accordance with new EPA policy. Printed copies of many REDs and TREDs may be obtained from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (EPA/NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419; telephone number: 1-800-490-9198; fax number: 1-513-489-8695; Internet at http://www.epa.gov/​ncepihom and from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161; telephone number: 1-800-553-6847 or [phone]; Internet at http://www.ntis.gov. Electronic copies of REDs, TREDs, and IREDs are available on the Internet at http://www. epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm.

The selection of an individual tolerance level is based on crop field residue studies designed to produce the maximum residues under the existing or proposed product label. Generally, the level selected for a tolerance is a value slightly above the maximum residue found in such studies, provided that the tolerance is safe. The evaluation of whether a tolerance is safe is a separate inquiry. EPA recommends the raising of a tolerance when data show that:

1. Lawful use (sometimes through a label change) may result in a higher residue level on the commodity.

2. The tolerance remains safe, notwithstanding increased residue level allowed under the tolerance.

In REDs, Chapter IV on “Risk management, Reregistration, and Tolerance Reassessment” typically describes the regulatory position, FQPA assessment, cumulative safety determination, determination of safety for U.S. general population, and safety for infants and children. In particular, the human health risk assessment document which supports the RED describes risk exposure estimates and whether the Agency has concerns. In TREDs, the Agency discusses its evaluation of the dietary risk associated with the active ingredient and whether it can determine that there is a reasonable certainty (with appropriate mitigation) that no harm to any population subgroup will result from aggregate exposure. EPA also seeks to harmonize tolerances with international standards set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, as described in Unit III.

Explanations for proposed modifications in tolerances can be found in the RED and TRED document and in more detail in the Residue Chemistry Chapter document which supports the RED and TRED. Copies of the Residue Chemistry Chapter documents are found in the Administrative Record electronically. Electronic copies are available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, regulations.gov at http://www.regulations.gov. You may search for docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and/or 2,4-D (EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0167), Bensulide (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151), DCPA (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0097), Desmedipham (EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0261), Dimethoate (EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0084), Fenamiphos (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151), Phorate (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151), Sethoxydim (EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0323), Terbufos (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151), and Tetrachlorvinphos (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0674 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0151) then click on that docket ID number to view its contents.

EPA has determined that the aggregate exposures and risks are not of concern for the above-mentioned pesticide active ingredients based upon the data identified in the RED or TRED which lists the submitted studies that the Agency found acceptable.

EPA has found that the tolerances that are proposed in this document to be modified, are safe; i.e., that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residues, in accordance with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(C). (Note that changes to tolerance nomenclature do not constitute modifications of tolerances). These findings are discussed in detail in each RED or TRED. The references are available for inspection as described in this document under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

In addition, EPA is proposing to revoke certain specific tolerances because either they are no longer needed or are associated with food uses that are no longer registered under FIFRA. Those instances where registrations were canceled were because the registrant failed to pay the required maintenance fee and/or the registrant voluntarily requested cancellation of one or more registered uses of the pesticide. It is EPA's general practice to propose revocation of those tolerances for residues of pesticide active ingredients on crop uses for which there are no active registrations under FIFRA, unless any person in comments on the proposal indicates a need for the tolerance to cover residues in or on imported commodities or legally treated domestic commodities.

1. 2,4-D. In the Federal Register notices published on June 6, 2007 (72 FR 31221) (FRL-8122-7) and September 12, 2007 (72 FR 52013) (FRL-8142-2), the Agency determined in error that the tolerances in/on grapes, stone fruits, and pome fruits should be decreased to 0.1 ppm rather than 0.05 ppm. In that same proposal, the tolerance for strawberries was increased to 0.1 ppm in error, when, in fact, it should have remained unchanged at 0.05 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes correcting the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.142(a) for the combined 2,4-D residues of concern in/on grape from 0.1 to 0.05 ppm; fruit, stone, group 12 from 0.1 to 0.05 ppm; fruit, pome group 11 from 0.1 to 0.05 ppm, and strawberry from 0.1 to 0.05 ppm.

2. Bensulide. In order to account for the instability of bensulide in/on cucurbits and leafy vegetables as evidenced in a non-concurrent storage stability study, the Agency has determined the tolerances should be increased from 0.1 to 0.15 ppm in/on vegetable, cucurbit group 9 and vegetable, leafy, except brassica group 4. The Agency is also revising commodity terminology to conform to current practice including removing the negligible residue designation (N) associated with the tolerances. Therefore, EPA proposes increasing and revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.241(a) for the combined bensulide residues of concern in/on cucurbits at 0.10 (N) ppm to vegetable, cucurbit group 9 at 0.15; and vegetable, leafy at 0.1 (N) ppm to vegetable, leafy, except brassica group 4 at 0.15 ppm. The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

Because the use of bensulide is limited to Texas, the Agency has determined that the carrot tolerance should be a regional tolerance. Therefore, EPA proposes transferring the carrot, root at 0.1 ppm tolerance in 40 CFR 180.241(a) to 40 CFR 180.241(c).

Based on available field trial data that indicate bensulide residues of concern are less than 0.15 ppm in/on the representative commodities (broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts) of the vegetable, brassica, leafy group 5, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be established for vegetable, brassica, leafy group 5 at 0.15 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes establishing a tolerance in 40 CFR 180.241(a) for combined bensulide residues of concern in/on vegetable, brassica, leafy group 5 at 0.15 ppm.

The Agency is revising commodity terminology to conform to current practice. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.241 from onion, dry bulb to onion, bulb; and vegetable, fruiting to vegetable, fruiting, group 8.

Currently, there are no Codex MRLs (maximum residue levels) in place for bensulide.

3. DCPA. In the Federal Register proposal and final rule published on June 6, 2007 (72 FR 31221) (FRL-8122-7), and September 12, 2007 (72 FR 52013) (FRL-8142-2), the permanent tolerance on vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5 at 5 ppm was transferred to inadvertent tolerance because there were no uses on brassica vegetables. Since then, it has been determined that there are direct uses of DCPA on brassica vegetables and a permanent tolerance in/on vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5 at 5 ppm is appropriate. Therefore, EPA proposes transferring the tolerance vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5 at 5 ppm in 40 CFR 180.185(d) to 40 CFR 180.185(a) for the combined residues of the herbicide DCPA and its metabolites MTP and TCP (calculated as DCPA).

4. Desmedipham. Based on field trial data received subsequent to the TRED that indicate residues of desmedipham as high as 0.05 ppm in/on sugar beet roots and an average of 1.38 ppm (standard deviation 2.88 ppm) in/on sugar beet tops, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be decreased from 0.2 ppm to 0.1 ppm in/on sugar beet roots and increased from 0.2 ppm to 5.0 ppm in/on sugar beet tops. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerance on sugar beet (roots and tops) from 0.2 ppm to sugar, beet, roots at 0.1 ppm and sugar, beet, tops at 5.0 ppm in 40 CFR 180.353(a) for residues of the herbicide desmedipham (ethyl-m-hydroxycarbanilate carbanilate). The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

Currently, there are no Codex MRLs in place for desmedipham.

5. Dimethoate. The uses on apples, cabbage, collards, head lettuce, spinach, and grapes were canceled due to revisions of the human health risk assessment for tolerance reassessment as published in Federal Register Notices dated Sept 10, 2003 (69 FR 53371) (FRL-7321-2), January 28, 2004 (69 FR 4135) (FRL-7340-1), and May 12, 2004 (69 FR 26384) (FRL-7354-3). Although the use on head lettuce has been canceled, the use on leaf lettuce remains. There are no active registrations with the use on blueberries; however, the blueberry tolerance is for the purpose of imports and for this reason will not be revoked. Lentils are covered by the existing pea, dry tolerance in accordance with 40 CFR 180.1(g). Therefore, EPA proposes revoking the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.204(a) for the combined dimethoate residues of concern in/on apple at 2 ppm; cabbage at 2 ppm; collards at 2 ppm; grape at 1 ppm; lentil, seed at 2 ppm; and spinach at 2 ppm; and revise lettuce to lettuce, leaf.

Based on field trial residue data serving as the basis of the tolerance on potatoes at 0.2 ppm and translating those data to turnip roots, the Agency has determined that the tolerance in/on turnip roots should be decreased to 0.2 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes decreasing the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.204(a) for the combined dimethoate residues of concern in/on turnip, roots from 2 ppm to 0.2 ppm.

Based on available field trial data that indicate dimethoate residues of concern less than 0.1 ppm in/on sorghum grain and forage, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be decreased to 0.1 ppm in/on sorghum, grain, forage and a tolerance should be established for sorghum, grain, stover at 0.1 ppm. EPA is also revising the commodity terminology to conform to current Agency practice. Therefore, EPA proposes decreasing and revising the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.204(a) for the combined dimethoate residues of concern from sorghum, forage at 0.2 ppm to sorghum, grain, forage at 0.1 ppm and establishing a tolerance on sorghum, grain, stover at 0.1 ppm.

EPA is revising the commodity terminology to conform to current Agency practice. Also, when the tolerance reassessment was conducted for reregistration on dimethoate, the tolerance on “wheat, green fodder” existed. The correct terminology for “wheat, green fodder” is “wheat, hay” and “wheat, forage.” Recently, 40 CFR 180.204 has been revised to align commodity terminology to current standards. At that time, the “wheat, green fodder” tolerance was revised to “wheat, hay” and the tolerance for “wheat, forage” was inadvertently omitted; therefore, the wheat, forage tolerance should be established. Lastly, the Agency is correcting the reference to 180.1(n) to 180.1(m) in 40 CFR 180.204(c). Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.204(a) for the combined dimethoate residues of concern in/on alfalfa to alfalfa, forage and alfalfa, hay; from corn, forage to corn, field, forage and corn, sweet, forage; corn, grain to corn, field, grain and corn, pop, grain; corn, stover to corn, field, stover and corn, pop, stover; sorghum, grain to sorghum, grain, grain; soybean to soybean, seed; and turnip, greens to turnip, tops; proposes establishing a tolerance in/on wheat, forage at 2.0 ppm and proposes revising tolerances in 40 CFR 180.204(c) from cherry to cherry, sweet and cherry, tart and revising the reference of 180.1(n) to 180.1(m).

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has established separate maximum residue limits (MRLs) for dimethoate per se and omethoate per se in/on various commodities resulting from application of the insecticides dimethoate, formothion, and omethoate. By contrast, the U.S. tolerance expression is in terms of the combined residues of dimethoate and omethoate, as a metabolite. Formothion and omethoate are not currently registered for use in the U.S. Therefore, the Codex MRLs and U.S. tolerances are not harmonized with respect to MRL/tolerance expression.

6. Fenamiphos. Based on the available field trial data that indicate fenamiphos residues of concern are up to 1.0 ppm in/on peanuts, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be increased to 1.0 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes increasing the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) for fenamiphos residues of concern in/on peanut from 0.02 ppm to 1.0 ppm. The Agency determined that the increased tolerance is safe; i.e., there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result form aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

Based on the available field trial data that indicate fenamiphos residues of concern are less than 0.05 ppm in/on eggplant and Brussels sprouts, the Agency determined that the tolerances should be decreased to 0.05 ppm. The Agency is also decreasing the Brussels sprouts tolerance to harmonize with Codex. Therefore, EPA proposes decreasing the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) for fenamiphos residues of concern in/on eggplant from 0.10 ppm to 0.05 ppm and Brussels sprouts from 0.10 ppm to 0.05 ppm.

Pineapple bran is no longer regulated as a commodity in accordance with Table 1.—Raw Agricultural and Processed Commodities and Feedstuffs Derived from Crops which is found in Residue Chemistry Test Guidelines OPPTS 860.1000 dated August 1996, available at http://www.epa.gov/​opptsfrs/​publications/​OPPTS Harmonized/860 Residue Chemistry Test Guidelines/Series; consequently, the Agency has determined that a pineapple bran tolerance is no longer needed. There are no active registrations for the use of fenamiphos on cotton, consequently the Agency has determined the cotton undelinted seed tolerance should be revoked. Therefore, EPA proposes removing the tolerance in/on pineapple, bran and revoking the tolerance in/on cotton, undelinted seed in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) for fenamiphos residues of concern.

There are currently individual tolerances for grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, and tangerine each at 0.60 ppm. Because there are established tolerances for the representative commodities for the fruit, citrus, group 10 and the use patterns on these commodities are the same, the Agency determined that the individual tolerances should be replaced with the fruit, citrus, group 10 tolerance. Further, in order to harmonize with the Codex MRLs, the Agency has determined the tolerances associated with these commodities should be decreased from 0.60 to 0.50 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes removing the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) for fenamiphos residues of concern in/on grapefruit; lemon; lime; orange, sweet; and tangerine each at 0.60 ppm and establishing a tolerance for fruit, citrus, group 10 at 0.50 ppm.

Based on revisions of the OPPTS Harmonized Test Guidelines--Series 860 Residue Chemistry Guidelines (August 1996) Table 1 available at http://www.epa.gov/​opptsfrs/​publications/​OPPTS Harmonized/860 Residue Chemistry Test Guidelines/Series eliminating several animal feed items used to estimate secondary residues in livestock commodities, the Agency determined there is no expectation of finite residues in animal commodities in accordance with Category 40 CFR 180.6(a)(3). Therefore, EPA proposes revoking all of the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(2) for fenamiphos residues of concern in cattle, fat; cattle, meat; cattle, meat byproducts; goat, fat; goat, meat; goat, meat byproducts; hog, fat; hog, meat; hog, meat byproducts; horse, fat; horse, meat; horse, meat byproducts; milk; sheep, fat; sheep, meat; sheep, meat byproducts each at 0.05 ppm; remove 40 CFR 180.349(a)(2); and designate 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) as 40 CFR 180.349(a).

The Agency is revising commodity terminology to correspond to current Agency practice. Therefore, EPA proposes revising tolerances in 40 CFR 180.349(a)(1) for fenamiphos residues of concern in/on grape, raisins to grape, raisin and cherry to cherry, sweet and cherry, tart.

In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of FIFRA, the Agency issued a cancellation order published on December 10, 2003 (68 FR 68901) (FRL-7332-5). The order reflects the voluntary cancellations submitted by Bayer CropScience for product registrations containing fenamiphos effective May 31, 2007. The order requires the registrant to cease sale/distribution of products (by persons other that Bayer CropScience) containing fenamiphos by May 31, 2008. Bayer CropScience anticipates that commodities treated with fenamiphos may continue to be imported into the U.S. after the final effective dates and therefore supports import tolerances for banana; fruit, citrus, group 10; garlic; grape; and pineapple. In order to permit the use of existing stocks of products to clear the channels of trade and for tolerances to cover subsequent fenamiphos residues of concern on commodities, the Agency determined the tolerances should expire on December 31, 2009 except for those tolerances for import commodities (banana; fruit, citrus, group 10; citrus, dried pulp; citrus, oil; garlic; grape; and pineapple). The tolerances for banana; fruit, citrus, group 10; garlic; grape; and pineapple will not have a U.S. registration as of December 31, 2009, and will be designated as such by a footnote. Therefore, EPA proposes establishing an expiration/revocation date of December 31, 2009, on tolerances in 40 CFR 180.349 for fenamiphos residues of concern in/on apple; Brussels sprouts; cabbage; cherry, sweet; cherry, tart; eggplant; okra; peach; peanut; raspberry; strawberry; asparagus; beet, garden, roots; beet, garden, tops; Bok choy; kiwifruit; and pepper, nonbell and add the footnote “1 There are no U.S. registrations as of December 31, 2009.”

7. Phorate. Based on available field trial data that indicate phorate residues of concern do not exceed 0.05 ppm in or on beans, field and sweet corn; sorghum, grain; soybean; and sugarcane, cane; the Agency determined that the tolerance should be decreased to 0.05 ppm in/on field and sweet corn, sorghum, grain; soybean; and sugarcane, cane. Based on available field trial data that indicate phorate residues of concern do not exceed 0.2 ppm in/on potato and in order to harmonize with CODEX, the Agency has determined the tolerance should be decreased to 0.2 ppm. Therefore, EPA proposes decreasing the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.206(a) for phorate residues of concern in/on bean; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, grain; sorghum, grain; soybean; and sugarcane, cane from 0.1 to 0.05 ppm; and potato from 0.5 to 0.2 ppm.

Based on available field trial data that indicate phorate residues of concern are up to 2.0 ppm in or on hops, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be increased to 2.0 ppm. Therefore, EPA is proposing to increase the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.206(a) for phorate residues of concern in/on hop from 0.5 to 2.0 ppm. The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

The current tolerances in 40 CFR 180.206 are expressed in terms of phorate and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites. The Agency has determined that the tolerance expression should be revised to harmonize with CODEX by regulating phorate, phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, phorate oxygen analog, phorate oxygen analog sulfoxide, and the phorate oxygen analog sulfone, specifically. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerance expression in 40 CFR 180.206(a) to regulate the combined residues of the insecticide phorate (O,O-diethyl S[(ethylthio) methyl]phosphorodithioate), phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, phorate oxygen analog, phorate oxygen analog sulfoxide, and phorate oxygen analog sulfone.

When the tolerance reassessment was conducted for reregistration on phorate, the tolerance on “wheat, green fodder” existed. The correct terminology for “wheat, green fodder” is “wheat, hay” and “wheat, forage.” Recently, 40 CFR part 180 has been revised to align commodity terminology to current standards. At that time, the “wheat, green fodder” tolerance was revised to “wheat, hay” and the tolerance for “wheat, forage” was inadvertently omitted. Therefore, the Agency has determined a tolerance in/on wheat, forage at 1.5 ppm should be established. Therefore, EPA proposes establishing a tolerance in 40 CFR 180.206(a) for the combined residues of phorate and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites in/on wheat, forage at 1.5 ppm. The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

EPA is revising commodity terminology to conform to current Agency practice. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.206(a) for the combined residues of phorate and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites from bean to bean, dry, seed and bean, succulent; coffee, bean, green to coffee, green bean; corn, forage to corn, field, forage and corn, sweet, forage; corn, grain to corn, field, grain; hop to hop, dried cones; sorghum, grain to sorghum, grain, grain; and soybean to soybean, seed; and revise the footnote to “There are no U.S. registrations as of September 1, 1993, for the use of phorate on the growing crop, coffee.”

The proposed tolerance actions herein for phorate, to implement the recommendations of the phorate IRED, reflect use patterns in the U.S. which support a different tolerance than the Codex level on beans, beets, coffee beans, because of differences in good agricultural practices. However, compatibility currently exists between U.S. tolerances and Codex MRLs for cottonseed and will exist (upon completion of this action) for phorate residues in or on potato, sorghum grain, soybean seed, field and sweet corn/maize.

8. Sethoxydim. Based on available field trial data that indicate residues of sethoxydim as high as 50.7 ppm in or on clover hay and 2.2 ppm in/on cranberry, the Agency determined that the tolerance should be increased to 55 ppm in/on clover, hay and 2.5 ppm in/on cranberry. Therefore, EPA is proposing to increase the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.412 for sethoxydim residues of concern in/on clover, hay from 50 to 55 ppm and cranberry from 2.0 to 2.5 ppm. The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

EPA is revising commodity terminology to conform to current Agency practice. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.412(a) for sethoxydim residues of concern in/on bean, forage to cowpea, forage; bean, hay to cowpea, hay; canola/rapeseed to rapeseed, seed and canola, seed; canola/rapeseed, meal to rapeseed, meal and canola, meal; coriander to coriander, leaves; corn, fodder to corn, field, fodder; corn, forage to corn, field, stover; fruit, citrus to fruit, citrus, group 10; fruit, pome to fruit, pome, group 11; peppermint, tops (stems and leaves) to peppermint, tops; potato flakes and potato granules to potato granules/flakes; potato waste, processed (wet and dry) to potato waste, processed; safflower to safflower, seed; soybean to soybean, seed; spearmint, tops (stems and leaves) to spearmint, tops; turnip, greens to turnip, tops; and vegetable, fruiting to vegetable, fruiting, group 8.

As part of improving sethoxydim tolerance harmonization between the U.S. and Canada, the Agency has reexamined the residue data and tolerance levels for bean, dry, seed at 20 ppm; lentil, seed at 30 ppm; and pea, dry, seed 40 ppm. Using the tolerance/MRL calculator developed under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the dry peas, lentil, and dry bean field trial data which reflect similar use patterns, the Agency has determined the tolerances on the dry pea, lentil seed, and dry bean commodities can be revised to the pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C at 25 ppm, which covers these commodities. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.412(a) for sethoxydim residues of concern from bean, dry seed at 20 ppm; lentil, seed at 30 ppm; and pea, dry, seed at 40 ppm to pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C at 25 ppm.

Because apple dry pomace, citrus molasses, cotton seed soapstock, flax straw, peanut soapstock, tomato concentrated products, and tomato dry pomace are no longer recognized as raw agricultural commodities and are no longer considered to be significant food/feed items, the associated tolerances are no longer needed. The tolerance for flax seed currently covers the commodity flax, meal, therefore the flax, meal tolerance is no longer needed. Therefore, EPA is removing the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.412(a) in/on apple, dry pomace at 0.8 ppm; citrus, molasses at 1.5 ppm; cotton, seed, soapstock at 15 ppm; flax, straw at 2.0 ppm; flax, meal at 7 ppm; peanut, soapstock at 75.0 ppm; tomato, concentrated products at 24 ppm; and tomato, dry pomace at 12.0 ppm.

Currently, there are no Codex MRLs in place for sethoxydim.

9. Terbufos. The current tolerance expression in 40 CFR 180.352 regulates the insecticide terbufos (S-[[1,1-dimethyl)thio]methyl]O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate) and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites. The Agency has determined that the chemical name for terbufos should be corrected and the tolerance expression should be more specific for the five phosphorylated (cholinesterase-inhibiting) metabolites. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerance expression in 40 CFR 180.352(a) to regulate the combined residues of the insecticide terbufos (phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylthio)methyl O,O-diethyl ester) and its phosphorylated (cholinesterase-inhibiting) metabolites (phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylthio)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfinyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfonyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfinyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; and phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfonyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester).

The Agency has determined that the coffee bean, green tolerance should be established for import purposes. The Agency is also revising the section to conform to current standards and configurations. Therefore, EPA proposes transferring the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.352(b) for the combined residues of terbufos and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites in/on coffee bean, green at 0.05 ppm to 40 CFR 180.352(a); redesignate 40 CFR 180.352(b) as Section 18 emergency exemptions-reserved; establish 40 CFR 180.352(c) as tolerances with regional registrations-reserved and establish 40 CFR 180.352(d) as indirect or inadvertent residues - reserved.

EPA is revising commodity terminology to conform to current Agency practice and removing “(N)”- negligible residue designation associated with some of the tolerances because the term is no longer applicable. Because tolerances on corn, pop, forage and corn, pop, stover refer to the same commodity (i.e. duplicative) and because corn, pop, stover is the most current terminology, the Agency has determined the tolerance on corn, pop, forage should be removed. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.352(a) for the combined residues of terbufos and its cholinesterase-inhibiting metabolites from corn, grain to corn, field, grain and corn, pop, grain; sorghum, forage to sorghum, grain, forage; and sorghum, grain to sorghum, grain, grain and removing corn, pop, forage.

The proposed tolerance actions herein for terbufos, to implement the recommendations of the terbufos RED, reflect different method levels of detection (LOD) where the LOD under the CODEX system is 0.01 ppm and the LOD under the U.S. system is 0.05 ppm which result in differing Codex levels on banana, corn/maize, popcorn, sugar beets, and sweet corn than the U.S. tolerances. Other differences in MRLs and tolerances between CODEX and the U.S. exist for cereal grain straw, fodder and stover because some are measured on a dry weight basis versus a wet weight basis. Lastly, the CODEX levels have changed since the tolerance reassessment such that, currently none of the U.S. tolerances and CODEX tolerances are harmonized.

10. Tetrachlorvinphos. Currently, the residue of concern in 40 CFR 180.252(a)(1) is tetrachlorvinphos (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate). The chemical name of tetrachlorvinphos as specified in 40 CFR 180.252 should be replaced with the CAS chemical name: (Z)-2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate. The Agency has also determined that the metabolites, 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanol (free and conjugated forms), 2,4,5-trichloroacetophenone, and 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanediol are also of toxicological concern and should be regulated. Therefore, EPA proposes revising the tolerance expression in 40 CFR 180.252(a)(1) to regulate the residues of the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos ((Z)-2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate) and its metabolites, 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanol (free and conjugated forms), 2,4,5-trichloroacetophenone, and 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanediol.

Currently, EPA has insufficient data to establish permanent tolerances for milk, cattle, hog and poultry commodities; however, EPA has been able to estimate tolerances for these livestock commodities using existing animal metabolism data on an interim basis of 18 months to permit time for the submission of additional data to support permanent tolerances. The tolerances are also being revised to address the additional tetrachlorvinphos metabolites of concern. Based on the metabolism data which indicate the tetrachlorvinphos residues of concern as high as 0.18 ppm in/on cattle and hog fat; 0.50 ppm in/on cattle and hog kidney; 0.38 ppm in/on cattle and hog liver; 1.86 ppm in/on cattle and hog meat; 0.50 ppm in/on cattle and hog meat byproducts except kidney and liver; 0.02 ppm in milk; 0.19 ppm in/on eggs; 6.1 ppm in/on poultry fat; 2.32 ppm in/on poultry meat; 1.27 ppm in/on poultry liver and 1.27 ppm in/on meat byproducts except liver, the Agency determined that interim tolerances should be established for 18 months at the decreased levels of 0.2 ppm (of which no more than 0.1 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on cattle and hog fat; and 0.05 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on milk, fat. The Agency also determined that interim tolerances should be established for 18 months at 1.0 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on cattle and hog kidney; 0.5 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on cattle and hog liver; 2.0 ppm (of which no more than 2.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) cattle and hog meat; 1.0 ppm in/on cattle and hog meat byproducts except liver and kidney; 3.0 ppm (of which no more than 3.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on poultry meat; 2.0 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on poultry liver; and 2.0 ppm in/on poultry meat byproducts except liver. The Agency determined that interim tolerances should be established for 18 months at the increased level of 0.2 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on eggs; and 7.0 ppm (of which no more than 7.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se) in/on poultry fat. Therefore, EPA proposes revising and establishing 18-month time-limited tolerances in newly proposed 40 CFR 180.252(a)(1) for residues of the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos and its metabolites in/on cattle, fat and hog, fat from 1.5 ppm to 0.2 ppm (of which no more than 0.1 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); cattle, kidney and hog, kidney at 1.0 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); cattle, liver and hog, liver at 0.5 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); cattle, meat and hog, meat at 2.0 ppm (of which no more than 2.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); cattle, meat byproducts except kidney and liver and hog, meat byproducts except kidney and liver at 1.0 ppm; milk, fat at 0.05 ppm reflecting negligible residues in whole milk (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); eggs from 0.1 to 0.2 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); poultry, fat from 0.7 to 7.0 ppm (of which no more than 7.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); poultry, meat at 3.0 ppm (of which no more than 3.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); poultry, liver at 2.0 ppm (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se); and poultry, meat byproducts except liver at 2.0 ppm all of which expire on [18 months from the date of final publication]. The Agency determined that the increased tolerances are safe; i.e. there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.

Because the Agency is taking action to establish the time-limited tolerances in/on cattle, hog and poultry commodities (above), the Agency has determined that the exception that permits “the safe use of tetrachlorvinphos as an additive to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse and swine feed at the rates of 0.00015 lb per 100 lb body weight per day for cattle and horses, and 0.00011 lb per 100 lb body weight per day for swine” is no longer necessary. In addition, any uses of tetrachlorvinphos in/on horses destined for slaughter are prohibited. Therefore, EPA proposes revoking the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.252(a)(1) for residues of the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos in/on goat, fat at 0.5 ppm; horse, fat at 0.5 ppm; removing 40 CFR 180.252(a)(2); and changing the designation of 40 CFR 180.252(a)(1) to 40 CFR 180.252(a).

Currently, there are no Codex MRLs in place for tetrachlorvinphos.

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

A “tolerance” represents the maximum level for residues of pesticide chemicals legally allowed in or on raw agricultural commodities and processed foods. Section 408 of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended by FQPA of 1996, Public Law 104-170, authorizes the establishment of tolerances, exemptions from tolerance requirements, modifications in tolerances, and revocation of tolerances for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on raw agricultural commodities and processed foods. Without a tolerance or exemption, food containing pesticide residues is considered to be unsafe and therefore “adulterated” under section 402(a) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 342(a). Such food may not be distributed in interstate commerce (21 U.S.C. 331(a)). For a food-use pesticide to be sold and distributed, the pesticide must not only have appropriate tolerances under the FFDCA, but also must be registered under FIFRA (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.). Food-use pesticides not registered in the United States must have tolerances in order for commodities treated with those pesticides to be imported into the United States.

EPA is proposing these tolerance actions to implement the tolerance recommendations made during the reregistration and tolerance reassessment processes (including follow-up on canceled or additional uses of pesticides). As part of these processes, EPA is required to determine whether each of the amended tolerances meets the safety standard of FQPA. The safety finding determination is discussed in detail in each post-FQPA RED and TRED for the active ingredient. REDs and TREDs recommend the implementation of certain tolerance actions, including modifications to reflect current use patterns, to meet safety findings, and change commodity names and groupings in accordance with new EPA policy. Printed and electronic copies of the REDs and TREDs are available as provided in Unit II.A.

EPA has issued post-FQPA REDs (and Interim REDs) for 2,4-D, bensulide, DCPA, desmedipham, dimethoate, fenamiphos, phorate, sethoxydim, terbufos, and tetrachlorvinphos, whose REDs were completed prior to FQPA. Also, EPA issued a RED prior to FQPA for tetrachlorvinphos and made a safety finding which reassessed its tolerances according to the FFDCA standard, maintaining them when new tolerances were established as noted in Unit II.A. REDs and TREDs contain the Agency's evaluation of the database for these pesticides, including requirements for additional data on the active ingredients to confirm the potential human health and environmental risk assessments associated with current product uses, and in REDs state conditions under which these uses and products will be eligible for reregistration. The REDs and TREDs recommended the establishment, modification, and/or revocation of specific tolerances. RED and TRED recommendations such as establishing or modifying tolerances, and in some cases revoking tolerances, are the result of assessment under the FFDCA standard of “reasonable certainty of no harm.” However, tolerance revocations recommended in REDs and TREDs that are proposed in this document do not need such assessment when the tolerances are no longer necessary.

EPA's general practice is to propose revocation of tolerances for residues of pesticide active ingredients on crops for which FIFRA registrations no longer exist and on which the pesticide may therefore no longer be used in the United States. EPA has historically been concerned that retention of tolerances that are not necessary to cover residues in or on legally treated foods may encourage misuse of pesticides within the United States. Nonetheless, EPA will establish and maintain tolerances even when corresponding domestic uses are canceled if the tolerances, which EPA refers to as “import tolerances,” are necessary to allow importation into the United States of food containing such pesticide residues. However, where there are no imported commodities that require these import tolerances, the Agency believes it is appropriate to revoke tolerances for unregistered pesticides in order to prevent potential misuse.

Furthermore, as a general matter, the Agency believes that retention of import tolerances not needed to cover any imported food may result in unnecessary restriction on trade of pesticides and foods. Under section 408 of FFDCA, a tolerance may only be established or maintained if EPA determines that the tolerance is safe based on a number of factors, including an assessment of the aggregate exposure to the pesticide and an assessment of the cumulative effects of such pesticide and other substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity. In doing so, EPA must consider potential contributions to such exposure from all tolerances. If the cumulative risk is such that the tolerances in aggregate are not safe, then every one of these tolerances is potentially vulnerable to revocation. Furthermore, if unneeded tolerances are included in the aggregate and cumulative risk assessments, the estimated exposure to the pesticide would be inflated. Consequently, it may be more difficult for others to obtain needed tolerances or to register needed new uses. To avoid potential trade restrictions, the Agency is proposing to revoke tolerances for residues on crops for uses for which FIFRA registrations no longer exist, unless someone expresses a need for such tolerances. Through this proposed rule, the Agency is inviting individuals who need these import tolerances to identify themselves and the tolerances that are needed to cover imported commodities.

Parties interested in retention of the tolerances should be aware that additional data may be needed to support retention. These parties should be aware that, under FFDCA section 408(f), if the Agency determines that additional information is reasonably required to support the continuation of a tolerance, EPA may require that parties interested in maintaining the tolerances provide the necessary information. If the requisite information is not submitted, EPA may issue an order revoking the tolerance at issue.

When EPA establishes tolerances for pesticide residues in or on raw agricultural commodities, consideration must be given to the possible residues of those chemicals in meat, milk, poultry, and/or eggs produced by animals that are fed agricultural products (for example, grain or hay) containing pesticides residues (40 CFR 180.6). When considering this possibility, EPA can conclude that:

1. Finite residues will exist in meat, milk, poultry, and/or eggs.

2. There is a reasonable expectation that finite residues will exist.

3. There is a reasonable expectation that finite residues will not exist. If there is no reasonable expectation of finite pesticide residues in or on meat, milk, poultry, or eggs, tolerances do not need to be established for these commodities (40 CFR 180.6(b) and (c)).

EPA has evaluated certain specific meat, milk, poultry, and egg tolerances proposed for revocation in this document and has concluded that there is no reasonable expectation of finite pesticide residues of concern in or on those commodities.

C. When Do These Actions Become Effective?

EPA is proposing that the tolerance actions herein become effective on the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. The tolerances proposed for revocation in this document are associated with uses that have been canceled for several years and none of the other tolerance actions proposed herein are expected to result in adulterated commodities. The Agency believes that treated commodities have had sufficient time for passage through the channels of trade. However, if EPA is presented with information that existing stocks would still be available and that information is verified, the Agency will consider revising the expiration date of the tolerance in the final rule. If you have comments regarding existing stocks and whether the effective date allows sufficient time for treated commodities to clear the channels of trade, please submit comments as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Any commodities listed in this proposal treated with the pesticides subject to this proposal, and in the channels of trade following the tolerance revocations, shall be subject to FFDCA section 408(1)(5), as established by FQPA. Under this unit, any residues of these pesticides in or on such food shall not render the food adulterated so long as it is shown to the satisfaction of the Food and Drug Administration that:

1. The residue is present as the result of an application or use of the pesticide at a time and in a manner that was lawful under FIFRA, and

2. The residue does not exceed the level that was authorized at the time of the application or use to be present on the food under a tolerance or exemption from a tolerance. Evidence to show that food was lawfully treated may include records that verify the dates when the pesticide was applied to such food.

III. Are the Proposed Actions Consistent with International Obligations?

The tolerance actions in this proposal are not discriminatory and are designed to ensure that both domestically produced and imported foods meet the food safety standards established by FFDCA. The same food safety standards apply to domestically produced and imported foods.

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 is a joint U.N. 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 in a notice published for public comment. EPA's effort to harmonize with Codex MRLs is summarized in the tolerance reassessment section of individual REDs and TREDs, and in the Residue Chemistry document which supports the RED and TRED, as mentioned in Unit II.A. Specific tolerance actions in this proposed rule and how they compare to Codex MRLs (if any) are discussed in Unit II.A.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

In this proposed rule, EPA is proposing to establish tolerances under FFDCA section 408(e), and also modify and revoke specific tolerances established under FFDCA section 408. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions (e.g., establishment and modification of a tolerance and tolerance revocation for which extraordinary circumstances do not exist) from review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this proposed rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This proposed rule does not contain any information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations as required by Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any other Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). 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 of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agency previously assessed whether establishment of tolerances, exemptions from tolerances, raising of tolerance levels, expansion of exemptions, or revocations might significantly impact a substantial number of small entities and concluded that, as a general matter, these actions do not impose a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. These analyses for tolerance establishments and modifications, and for tolerance revocations were published on May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950) and on December 17, 1997 (62 FR 66020) (FRL-5753-1), respectively, and were provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Taking into account this analysis, and available information concerning the pesticides listed in this proposed rule, the Agency hereby certifies that this proposed rule will not have a significant negative economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In a memorandum dated May 25, 2001, EPA determined that eight conditions must all be satisfied in order for an import tolerance or tolerance exemption revocation to adversely affect a significant number of small entity importers, and that there is a negligible joint probability of all eight conditions holding simultaneously with respect to any particular revocation. (This Agency document is available in the docket of this proposed rule). Furthermore, for the pesticide named in this proposed rule, the Agency knows of no extraordinary circumstances that exist as to the present proposal that would change EPA's previous analysis. Any comments about the Agency's determination should be submitted to EPA along with comments on the proposal, and will be addressed prior to issuing a final rule. In addition, the Agency has determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure “meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.” “Policies that have federalism implications” is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have “substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.” This proposed rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food handlers, and food retailers, not States. This action does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency has determined that this proposed rule does not have any “tribal implications” as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure “meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.” “Policies that have tribal implications” is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have “substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.” This proposed rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

• Environmental protection
• Administrative practice and procedure
• Agricultural commodities
• Pesticides and pests
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Dated: January 22, 2008.

Marty Monell,

Acting Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.

Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR chapter I be amended as follows:

PART 180—[AMENDED]

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

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

2. Section 180.142 is amended by revising the entries for “Grape,” “Fruit, pome, group 11,” “Fruit, stone, group 12,” and “Strawberry” in the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 180.142

2,4-D; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. * * *

Commodity	Parts per million
*   *   *   *   *
Grape	0.05
*   *   *   *   *
Fruit, pome, group 11	0.05
Fruit, stone, group 12	0.05
*   *   *   *   *
Strawberry	0.05
*   *   *   *   *

* * * * *

3. Section 180.185 is amended by removing the entry for “Vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5” from the table in paragraph (d) and adding it alphabetically to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows.

§ 180.185

DCPA; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. * * *

Commodity	Parts per million
*   *   *   *   *
Vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5	0.05
*   *   *   *   *

* * * * *

4. Section 180.204 is amended by revising the table in paragraphs (a) and (c) to read as follows:

§ 180.204

Dimethoate; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. * * *

Commodity	Parts per million
Alfalfa, forage	2.0
Alfalfa, hay	2.0
Bean, dry, seed	2.0
Bean, lima	2.0
Bean, snap, succulent	2.0
Blueberry1	1.0
Broccoli	2.0
Cattle, meat byproducts	0.02
Cauliflower	2.0
Celery	2.0
Citrus, dried pulp	5.0
Corn, field, forage	1.0
Corn, field, grain	0.1
Corn, field, stover	1.0
Corn, pop, grain	0.1
Corn, pop, stover	1.0
Corn, sweet, forage	1.0
Cotton, undelinted seed	0.1
Egg	0.02
Endive	2.0
Goat, meat byproducts	0.02
Grapefruit	2.0
Hog, meat byproducts	0.02
Horse, meat byproducts	0.02
Kale	2.0
Lemon	2.0
Lettuce, leaf	2.0
Melon	1.0
Milk	0.002
Mustard greens	2.0
Orange, sweet	2.0
Pear	2.0
Pea	2.0
Pecan	0.1
Pepper	2.0
Potato	0.2
Poultry, meat byproducts	0.02
Safflower, seed	0.1
Sheep, meat byproducts	0.02
Sorghum, grain, forage	0.1
Sorghum, grain, grain	0.1
Sorghum, grain, stover	0.1
Soybean, seed	0.05
Soybean, forage	2.0
Soybean, hay	2.0
Swiss chard	2.0
Tangerine	2.0
Tomato	2.0
Turnip, tops	2.0
Turnip, roots	0.2
Wheat, forage	2.0
Wheat, grain	0.04
Wheat, hay	2.0
Wheat, straw	2.0
1 There are U.S. registrations as of August 16, 1996.

* * * * *

(c) Tolerances with regional registrations. Tolerances with regional registration, as defined in 180.1(m), are established for total residues of dimethoate including its oxygen analog in or on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million
Asparagus	0.15
Brussels sprouts	5.0
Cherry, sweet	2.0
Cherry, tart	2.0

* * * * *

5. Section 180.206 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 180.206

Phorate; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. Tolerances are established for the combined residues of the insecticide phorate (O,O-diethyl S[(ethylthio) methyl]phosphorodithioate), phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, phorate oxygen analog, phorate oxygen analog sulfoxide, and phorate oxygen analog sulfone in or on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million
Bean, dry, seed	0.05
Bean, succulent	0.05
Beet, sugar, roots	0.3
Beet, sugar, tops	3.0
Coffee, green bean1	0.02
Corn, field, forage	0.5
Corn, field, grain	0.05
Corn, sweet, forage	0.5
Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed	0.05
Cotton, undelinted seed	0.05
Hop, dried cones	2.0
Peanut	0.1
Potato	0.2
Sorghum, grain, grain	0.05
Sorghum, grain, stover	0.1
Soybean, seed	0.05
Sugarcane, cane	0.05
Wheat, forage	1.5
Wheat, grain	0.05
Wheat, hay	1.5
Wheat, straw	0.05
1 There are no U.S. registrations as of September 1, 1993, for the use of phorate on the growing crop, coffee.

* * * * *

6. Section 180.241 is amended by revising the heading and paragraphs (a) and (c) to read as follows:

§ 180.241

Bensulide; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. Tolerances are established for the residues of S-(O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate) of N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide including its oxygen analog S-(O,O-diisopropylphosphorodithioate) of N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide in or on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million
Onion, bulb	0.10
Vegetable, brassica, leafy group 5	0.15
Vegetable, cucurbits group 9	0.15
Vegetable, fruiting group 8	0.10
Vegetable, leafy except brassica group 4	0.15

* * * * *

(c) Tolerances with regional registrations. Tolerances with regional registration, as defined in 180.1(m), are established for the residues of S-(O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate) of N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide including its oxygen analog S-(O,O-diisopropylphosphorodithioate) of N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide in or on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million
Carrot, roots	0.10

* * * * *

7. Section 180.252 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§180.252

Tetrachlorvinphos; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. Tolerances are established for the combined residues of the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos ((Z)-2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate) and its metabolites, 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanol (free and conjugated forms), 2,4,5-trichloroacetophenone, and 1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethanediol in/on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million	Expiration/Revocation Date
Cattle, fat (of which no more than 0.1 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.2	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Cattle, kidney (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	1.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Cattle, liver (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.5	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Cattle, meat (of which no more than 2.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	2.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Cattle, meat by products except kidney and liver	1.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Egg (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.2	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Hog, fat (of which no more than 0.1 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.2	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Hog, kidney (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	1.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Hog, liver (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.5	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Hog, meat (of which no more than 2.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	2.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Hog, meat byproducts except kidney and liver	1.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Milk, fat (reflecting negligible residues in whole milk and of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	0.05	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Poultry, fat (of which no more than 7.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	7.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Poultry, liver (of which no more than 0.05 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	2.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Poultry, meat (of which no more than 3.0 ppm is tetrachlorvinphos per se)	3.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]
Poultry, meat byproducts except liver	2.0	[date 18 months from the date of Final tolerance publication]

* * * * *

8. Section 180.349 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and the table in paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 180.349

Fenamiphos; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. Tolerances are established for the combined residues of the nematocide fenaminphos, (ethyl 3-methyl-4-(methylthio) phenyl (1-methylethyl) phosphoramidate, and its cholinesterase inhibiting metabolites ethyl 3-methyl-4-(methylsulfinyl) phenyl (1-methylethyl) phosphoramidate and ethyl 3-methyl-4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl (1-methylethyl) phosporamidate in or on the following food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million	Expiration/Revocation Date
Apple	0.25	December 31, 2009
Banana1	0.10	None
Brussels sprouts	0.05	December 31, 2009
Cabbage	0.10	December 31, 2009
Cherry, sweet	0.25	December 31, 2009
Cherry, tart	0.25	December 31, 2009
Citrus, dried pulp	2.5	None
Citrus, oil	25.0	None
Eggplant	0.05	December 31, 2009
Fruit, citrus, group 101	0.50	None
Garlic1	0.50	None
Grape1	0.10	None
Grape, raisin	0.30	None
Okra	0.30	December 31, 2009
Peach	0.25	December 31, 2009
Peanut	1.0	December 31, 2009
Pineapple1	0.30	None
Raspberry	0.10	December 31, 2009
Strawberry	0.60	December 31, 2009
1 There are no U.S. registrations as of December 31, 2009.

* * * * *

(c) Tolerances with regional registrants. * * *

Commodity	Parts per million	Expiration/Revocation Date
Asparagus	0.02	December 31, 2009
Beet, garden roots	1.5	December 31, 2009
Beet, garden, tops	1.0	December 31, 2009
Bok choy	0.50	December 31, 2009
Kiwifruit	0.10	December 31, 2009
Pepper, nonbell	0.60	December 31, 2009

* * * * *

9. Section 180.352 is revised to read as follows:

§ 180.352

Terbufos; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. Tolerances are established for the combined residues of the insecticide terbufos (phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylthio)methyl O,O-diethyl ester) and its phosphorylated (cholinesterase-inhibiting) metabolites (phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylthio)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfinyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorothioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfonyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfinyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester; and phosphorodithioic acid, S-(t-butylsulfonyl)methyl O,O-diethyl ester) in or on food commodities:

Commodity	Parts per million
Banana	0.025
Beet, sugar, roots	0.05
Beet, sugar, tops	0.1
Coffee, green bean1	0.05
Corn, field, forage	0.5
Corn, field, grain	0.5
Corn, field, stover	0.5
Corn, pop, grain	0.5
Corn, pop, stover	0.5
Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed	0.05
Corn, sweet, forage	0.5
Corn, sweet, stover	0.5
Sorghum, grain, forage	0.5
Sorghum, grain, grain	0.05
Sorghum, grain, stover	0.5
1 There are no U. S. registrations as of August 2, 1995, for the use of terbufos on the growing crop, coffee.

(b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. [Reserved]

(c) Tolerances with regional registrations. [Reserved]

(d) Indirect or inadvertent residues. [Reserved]

10. Section 180.353 is amended by revising the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 180.353

Desmedipham; tolerances for residues.

(a) General.

Commodity	Parts per million
Beet, garden, roots	0.05
Beet, garden, tops	1.0
Beet, sugar, roots	0.1
Beet, sugar, tops	5.0
Spinach	6.0

11. Section 180.412 is amended by revising the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 180.412

Sethoxydim; tolerances for residues.

(a) General. * * *

Commodity	Parts per million
Alfalfa, forage	40
Alfalfa, hay	40
Almond, hulls	2.0
Apricot	0.2
Apple, wet pomace	0.8
Asparagus	4.0
Bean, succulent	15
Beet, sugar, molasses	10
Beet, sugar, tops	3.0
Blueberry	4.0
Borage, meal	10
Borage, seed	6.0
Buckwheat, flour	25
Buckwheat, grain	19
Caneberry subgroup 13 A	5.0
Canola, meal	40
Canola, seed	35
Cattle, fat	0.2
Cattle, meat	0.2
Cattle, meat byproducts	1.0
Cherry, sweet	0.2
Cherry, tart	0.2
Citrus, dried pulp	1.5
Clover, forage	35
Clover, hay	55
Coriander, leaves	4.0
Corn, field, fodder	2.5
Corn, field, grain	0.5
Corn, field, stover	2.0
Corn, sweet, forage	3.0
Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed	0.4
Corn, sweet, stover	3.5
Cotton, undelinted seed	5.0
Cowpea, forage	15
Cowpea, hay	50
Cranberry	2.5
Dillweed, fresh leaves	10
Egg	2.0
Flax, seed	5.0
Fruit, citrus, group 10	0.5
Fruit, pome, group 11	0.2
Goat, fat	0.2
Goat, meat	0.2
Goat, meat byproducts	1.0
Grape	1.0
Grape, raisin	2.0
Hog, fat	0.2
Hog, meat	0.2
Hog, meat byproducts	1.0
Horse, fat	0.2
Horse, meat	0.2
Horse, meat byproducts	1.0
Juneberry	5.0
Lingonberry	5.0
Milk	0.5
Nectarine	0.2
Nut, tree, group 14	0.2
Okra	2.5
Pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C	25
Pea, field, hay	40
Pea, field, vines	20
Pea, succulent	10
Peach	0.2
Peanut	25
Peppermint, tops	30
Pistachio	0.2
Potato granules/flakes	8.0
Potato waste, processed	8.0
Poultry, fat	0.2
Poultry, meat	0.2
Poultry, meat byproducts	2.0
Radish, tops	4.5
Rapeseed, meal	40
Rapeseed, seed	35
Safflower, seed	15
Salal	5.0
Sheep, fat	0.2
Sheep, meat	0.2
Sheep, meat byproducts	1.0
Soybean, hay	10
Soybean, seed	16
Spearmint, tops	30
Strawberry	10
Sunflower, meal	20
Sunflower, seed	7.0
Turnip, tops	5.0
Vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5	5.0
Vegetable, bulb, group 3	1.0
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9	4.0
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8	4.0
Vegetable, leafy, except brassica, group 4	4.0
Vegetable, root and tuber, group 1	4.0

* * * * *