2010-5598. Difenzoquat; Registration Review Case Closure; Notice of Availability

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the availability of EPA’s notice of registration review case closure for the pesticide difenzoquat, case 0223. Registration review is EPA’s periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended function without causing unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that each pesticide’s registration is based on current scientific and other knowledge, including its effects on human health and the environment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For pesticide specific information, contact: Eric Miederhoff, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

For general information on the registration review program, contact: Kevin Costello, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; e-mail address: costello.kevin @epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, farm worker, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the pesticide specific contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0787. 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 Office of Pesticide Programs (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].

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

On February 24, 2010 the Agency issued a product cancellation order (75 FR 8339; FRL-8809-7) for all difenzoquat product registrations. Due to the cancellation of all registered difenzoquat products in the United States, the Agency closed the registration review case for difenzoquat, pursuant to 40 CFR 155.42(c). This notice announces the availability of EPA’s Notice of Registration Review Case Closure for difenzoquat, case 0223.

In addition to the registration review case closure document, the registration review docket for difenzoquat also includes other relevant documents related to the registration review of this case. The Notice of Receipt of a Request to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations was issued on November 25, 2009 and the public was invited to submit any comments or new information. During the 30-day comment period, no public comments were received which impacted the Agency’s decision to grant the cancellation request. Subsequently, on February 24, 2010, the Agency published the Cancellation Order for all difenzoquat product registrations in the Federal Register (75 FR 8339; FRL-8809-7).

Background on the registration review program is provided at: http://www.epa.gov/​oppsrrd1/​registration_​review. Links to earlier documents related to the registration review of this pesticide are provided at: http://www.epa.gov/​oppsrrd1/​registration_​review/​difenzoquat/​index.html.

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

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

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Difenzoquat
• Pesticide and pest
• Registration review

Dated: March 9, 2010.

Richard P. Keigwin, Jr.,

Director, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.