[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2231-2232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-925]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00520; FRL-5765-8]
1996 Food Quality Protection Act; Right-To-Know Draft Brochure
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Action: Notice of availability.
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Summary: EPA is announcing the availability for public comment of a
draft brochure containing information on pesticide residues in food.
The draft brochure is available in two formats; the text is identical,
but the illustrations differ. EPA is required by the Food Quality
Protection Act to make this brochure available to the public through
large grocery stores by August 3, 1998.
Dates: Comments must be received on or before March 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Information and
Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, deliver comments to:
Rm. 119, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: docket@epamail.epa.gov. Follow the instructions under Unit II. of this
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be
submitted through e-mail.
Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the comment that
does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public
record. Information not marked confidential will be included in the
public docket by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is
available for public inspection in Rm. 119 at the Virginia address
given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays.
To receive copies of the draft brochure: By mail: Public
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and
Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person: Rm.
119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA,
Telephone: (703) 305-5805; Fax: (703) 305-4646, e-mail: docket@epamail.epa.gov.
For Further Information Contact: Joshua Alexander, Communications
Services Branch, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (703) 308-0835, Fax: (703) 305-5558,
e-
[[Page 2232]]
mail: alexander.joshua@epamail.epa.gov.
Supplementary Information:
Electronic Availability:
Internet
Electronic copies of this document and the draft brochure are
available from the EPA Home Page at the Federal Register--Environmental
Documents entry for this document under ``Laws and Regulations''
(http://www.epa.gov/ fedrgstr/).
Fax-on-Demand
Using a faxphone call 202-401-0527 and select item 6020 for a copy
of the draft brochure entitled ``Pesticides on Food: Consumer
Information.''
I. Background
On August 3, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Food
Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). FQPA significantly amends the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the laws governing
pesticide regulation. FQPA sets a new health-based safety standard for
all pesticide residues in food and requires that all established
permissible pesticide residue limits (tolerances) be re-evaluated in
accordance with the new standard.
The new law requires EPA to provide information on pesticide
residues in or on food to large grocery stores for public display. At a
minimum, the Agency must inform the public of the risks and benefits of
pesticide use on food; a listing of all pesticides which do not meet
the new standard; foods containing residues of these pesticides and
foods that may reasonably substitute for these; and ways consumers can
reduce their exposure to pesticides.
This effort builds on the Agency's commitment to ensure consumer
safety and strengthen its right-to-know efforts to ensure that
consumers are provided information which will allow them to make
informed and environmentally-conscious decisions. The Agency is
exploring additional mechanisms for informing the public about ways to
reduce their exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in their diet,
homes, workplaces, and schools.
This Federal Register Notice announces the availability of the
draft brochure entitled ``Pesticides on Food: Consumer Information.''
The draft brochure is available in two formats; the text is identical,
but the illustrations differ. EPA is soliciting comments on this draft
brochure prior to publication and distribution to large grocery stores
for public display.
In developing this draft brochure, EPA has been consulting on a
wide range of issues with key constituencies, primarily through the
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). The PPDC is a permanently
chartered Federal advisory committee that plays a key role in the
implementation of FQPA. It provides advice and guidance to EPA on
regulatory development and reform initiatives as well as public policy
and regulatory issues associated with evaluating and reducing risks
from pesticide use. In March 1997, the PPDC established a workgroup (29
members) consisting of EPA representatives, industry, the Food and Drug
Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, and
environmental and public interest groups. In addition to these
constituencies, to ensure that the brochure is understandable and
useful, the Agency is conducting consumer research: 48 consumers have
been interviewed to determine their knowledge and perceptions of
pesticides. This draft brochure and future versions of it also will be
evaluated by consumers in focus groups during January, February, and
March 1998. Documents relating to the development of the draft brochure
are being made available under docket control number OPP-00520.
In addition, EPA, is providing the public with an opportunity to
comment on the Agency's interpretation of ``public display'' as it is
used in section 408(o) of the FFDCA. EPA interprets ``public display''
to mean: to place the brochure in a manner that makes it available and
visible to all shoppers, either in the produce department, entrance, or
check-out; to make available copies for shoppers to pick up, and to
replenish the supply when necessary. The FFDCA allows grocers to
determine the manner of public display. However, EPA believes it is
important to emphasize that grocers do have an obligation to display
the brochure, and that it is neccessary and appropriate to define
``public display,'' to ensure that the intent of section 408(o) is
effectuated.
II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions
The official record for this document, as well as the public
version, has been established for this document under docket control
number ``OPP-00520'' (including comments and data submitted
electronically as described below). A public version of this record,
including printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does
not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection
from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The official record is located at the Virginia address in
``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the
use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comment and data
will also be accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by
the docket control number ``OPP-00520.'' Electronic comments on this
document may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides.
Dated: January 8, 1998.
Lynn R. Goldman,
Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances.
[FR Doc. 98-925 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
