[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17687-17690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9245]
[[Page 17687]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[OPP-300612; FRL-5770-4]
RIN 2070-AB78
Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi Cry9C Protein and the
Genetic Material Necessary for its Production in Corn; Exemption from
the Requirement of a Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule establishes a temporary exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for residues of the insecticide, Bacillus
thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi Cry9C protein and the genetic
material necessary for its production in corn for feed use only; as
well as in meat, poultry, milk, or eggs resulting from animals fed such
feed.
DATES: This regulation is effective April 10, 1998. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before June 9,
1998.
ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the
docket control number [OPP-300612], must be submitted to: Hearing Clerk
(1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Fees accompanying objections and hearing requests
shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: EPA
Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees), P.O.
Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. A copy of any objections and hearing
requests filed with the Hearing Clerk identified by the docket control
number, [OPP-300612], must also be submitted 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, bring a copy of
objections and hearing requests to Rm. 119, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis
Hwy., Arlington, VA.
A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing
Clerk may be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail (e-
mail) to: opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov. Copies of electronic objections
and hearing requests must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the
use of special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of
electronic objections and hearing requests will also be accepted on
disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file format. All copies of
electronic objections and hearing requests must be identified by the
docket number [OPP-300612]. No Confidential Business Information (CBI)
should be submitted through e-mail. Copies of electronic objections and
hearing requests on this rule may be filed online at many Federal
Depository Libraries.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Mike Mendelsohn, Regulatory
Action Leader, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511W),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Office location, telephone number, and
e-mail: Room CS15-W29, 2800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA,
703-308-8715, e-mail: mendelsohn.mike@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Plant Genetic Systems (America), Inc., 7200
Hickman Road, Suite 202, Des Moines, IA 50322 has requested in
pesticide petition (PP 7G4921) the establishment of an exemption from
the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the insecticide Bacillus
thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi Cry9C and the genetic material
necessary for its production in corn for feed use only. A notice of
filing (FRL-5753-3) was published in the Federal Register (62 FR 63168,
November 26, 1997), and the notice announced that the comment period
would end on December 26, 1997; no comments were received. This
temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance will permit the
marketing of the above feed and food commodities when treated in
accordance with the provisions of experimental use permit 70218-EUP-1,
as amended and extended under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended (Pub. L. 95-396, 92 Stat. 819; 7
U.S.C. 136). The data submitted in the petition and all other relevant
material have been evaluated. Following is a summary of EPA's findings
regarding this petition as required by section 408(d) of the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, as recently
amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), Pub. L. 104-170.
I. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings
A. Use Practices
The experimental program will be conducted in the states of
Alabama, New York, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Ohio,
Delaware, Pennsylvania, Florida, Puerto Rico, Georgia, South Dakota,
Hawaii, Tennessee, Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Virginia, Iowa, Wisconsin,
Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, and Nebraska. Corn containing this plant-
pesticide are to be protected from the European corn borer.
B. Product Identity/Chemistry
The Cry9C gene was originally isolated from a Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi strain. The gene was then synthesized
with plant preferred codons before it was stably inserted into corn
plants to produce a truncated and modified Cry9C protein. The tryptic
core of the microbially produced Cry9C delta-endotoxin is similar to
the Cry9C protein found in event CBH351 save for a single amino acid
substitution in the internal sequence and the addition of two amino
acids to the N-terminus. The Cry9C protein was produced and purified
from a bacterial host to utilize in the mammalian toxicity studies due
to the bacterium's greater production potential. Product analysis that
compared the Cry9C protein from the two sources included: SDS-PAGE,
Western blots, N- terminal amino acid sequencing, glycosylation tests
(for possible post- translational modifications) and insect bioassays.
No analytical method was included since this petition requests an
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
C. Mammalian Toxicological Profile
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability
and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children.
Additionally, section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
A high-dose acute oral toxicity study (3,760 mg/kg body weight)
showed no mortalities. Transient weight losses were seen in three
female treated animals, with one not recovering her pre-dosing, pre-
fast weight at 14 days after dose administration. The treated males
showed no weight losses. Transient weight loss has been observed in
similar studies conducted on other
[[Page 17688]]
purified Cry proteins as well as microbial pesticides containing Cry
proteins and is not considered a significant adverse effect.
The in vitro digestibility study showed the Cry9C protein to be
stable to pepsin digestion at pH 2.0 for 4 hours. The Cry9C protein is
also heat stable, not being affected by incubation at 90 deg. C for 10
minutes. The Cry9C protein in corn is the trypsin resistant core and is
therefore stable to typtic digest.
A search for amino acid homology did not reveal any significant
homology with known toxins or allergens.
The genetic material necessary for the production of the plant-
pesticide active ingredient is the nucleic acids (DNA) which comprise
genetic material encoding the Cry9C protein and its regulatory regions.
Regulatory regions are the genetic material that control the expression
of the genetic material encoding the proteins, such as promoters,
terminators, and enhancers. DNA is common to all forms of plant and
animal life and the Agency knows of no instance where these nucleic
acids have been associated with toxic effects related to their
consumption as a component of food. These ubiquitous nucleic acids as
they appear in the subject plant-pesticide have been adequately
characterized by the applicant and supports EPA's conclusion that no
mammalian toxicity is anticipated from dietary exposure to the genetic
material necessary for the production of the Cry9C protein.
D. Aggregate Exposure
The available information on the aggregate exposure levels of
consumers (and major identifiable subgroups of consumers) to the Cry9C
protein residue include dietary exposure and exposure from non-
occupational sources. Exposure via the skin or inhalation is not likely
since the Cry9C plant-pesticide is contained within plant cells
essentially eliminating these exposure routes or reducing these
exposure routes to negligible. Drinking water is unlikely to be
significantly contaminated with Cry9C protein due to the low expression
of the protein in corn tissue, degradation of plant materials in the
soil and low leaching potential of a protein from a soil matrix.
Minimal to non-existent oral exposure could occur from ingestion of
meat, poultry, eggs or milk from animals fed corn containing the plant-
pesticide and from drinking water. While unlikely, meat, eggs or milk
from animals fed corn containing the plant-pesticide could contain
negligible but finite residues. This is viewed as a remote possibility
due to the low Cry9C expression level in corn tissue (12 to 225
g/gm fresh weight), the anticipated degradation and
elimination of the Cry9C protein by the animal or the lack of uptake of
such a large protein by the animal's intestinal tract. It is not
possible to establish with certainty whether finite residues will be
incurred, but there is no reasonable expectation of finite residues.
However, the best available information on the uptake of intact
proteins from the diet would indicate that the intact Cry9C protein
would not be available in products from animals fed corn products
containing Cry9C protein.
The use sites are all agricultural for control of lepidopteran
insects under the associated experimental use permit. Therefore,
exposure via residential or lawn use is not expected.
E. Cumulative Effects
The Agency has considered available information on the cumulative
effects of such residues and other substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity. These considerations included the cumulative
effects on adults as well as on infants and children of such residues
and other substances with a common mechanism of toxicity. Since there
is no indication of mammalian toxicity to the Cry9C protein from the
studies submitted, there is no reason to believe there would be
cumulative toxic effects.
F. Safety Determination
The temporary tolerance exemption is limited to residues of the
Cry9C protein resulting from feed use only. The basis of safety for
this temporary tolerance exemption includes both the results of the
acute oral study at high doses indicating no toxicity and the
anticipated minimal to nonexistent human dietary exposure of the Cry9C
protein via animal feed use.
Bt microbial pesticides, containing Cry proteins other than Cry9C,
have been applied for more than 30 years to food and feed crops
consumed by the U.S. population. There have been no human safety
problems attributed to the specific Cry proteins. An oral dose of the
tryptic core Cry9C protein of at least 3,760 mg/kg was administered to
10 animals without mortality demonstrating a high degree of safety for
the protein. Transient weight loss in three female rodents was
observed, but not in any males. Transient weight loss has been observed
in similar studies conducted on other purified Cry proteins as well as
microbial pesticides and this is not considered a significant adverse
effect.
A comparison of the amino acid sequence of the Cry9C protein with
those found in the PIR, Swiss-Prot and HIV AA data bases did not reveal
any significant homology with known toxins or allergens.
The in vitro digestibility study showed the Cry9C protein to be
stable to pepsin at pH 2.0. The Cry9C protein was shown to be stable to
heat at 90 degrees C for 10 minutes and the Cry9C protein in corn is
the trypsin resistant core and is therefore stable to tryptic digest.
The best available information to date would indicate that edible
products derived from animals such as meat, milk and eggs, intended for
human consumption, have not been shown to be altered in their
allergenicity due to changes in the feed stock utilized. This
information would include no transfer of allergenic factors from cattle
fed soybeans to the derived meat or milk eaten by individuals with food
sensitivity to soybeans.
G. Infants and Children
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(C) provides that EPA shall assess the
available information about consumption patterns among infants and
children, special susceptibility of infants and children to pesticide
chemical residues and the cumulative effects on infants and children of
the residues and other substances with a common mechanism of toxicity.
In addition, FFDCA section 408 provides that EPA shall apply an
additional tenfold margin of exposure (safety) for infants and children
in the case of threshold effects to account for pre- and post-natal
toxicity and the completeness of the database unless EPA determines
that a different margin of exposure (safety) will be safe for infants
and children.
In this instance, based on all the available information, the
Agency concludes that infants and children will consume only minimal,
if any, residues of this plant-pesticide and that there is a finding of
no toxicity.
Thus, there are no threshold effects of concern and, as a result
the provision requiring an additional margin of safety does not apply.
Further, the provisions of consumption patterns, special
susceptibility, and cumulative effects do not apply.
H. Other Considerations
1. Analytical method. The Agency is establishing an exemption from
the requirement of a tolerance without any numerical
limitation;therefore, the agency has concluded that an analytical
method is not required for enforcement purposes for this plant-
pesticide.
2. Effects on the endocrine systems. EPA does not have any
information
[[Page 17689]]
regarding endocrine effects for these kinds of pesticides at this time.
The Agency is not requiring information on the endocrine effects of
these plant-pesticides at this time; and Congress allowed 3 years after
August 3, 1996, for the Agency to implement a screening and testing
program with respect to endocrine effects.
I. Existing Tolerances
No tolerances or tolerance exemptions have been granted for the
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi Cry9C and the genetic material
necessary for the production of this protein in or on all raw
agricultural commodities.
II. Conclusion
Based on the toxicology data cited and the limited exposure
expected with animal feed use, there is reasonable certainty that no
harm will result from aggregate exposure to the U.S. population,
including infants and children, to residues of Bacillus thuringiensis
subspecies tolworthi Cry9C protein and the genetic material necessary
for its production in corn. This includes all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information. The Agency has arrived at this conclusion because, as
discussed above, the temporary tolerance exemption is limited to feed
use only. The conclusion of safety is supported by the lack of toxicity
after administration of a high oral dose (3,760 mg/kg), the lack of
homology to known toxins or allergens, and the minimal to nonexistent
exposure via dietary and non-dietary routes. As a result, EPA
establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance
pursuant to FFDCA section 408(j)(3) for Bacillus thuringiensis
subspecies tolworthi Cry9C protein and the genetic material necessary
for its production in corn, on the condition that Bacillus
thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi Cry9C protein and the genetic
material necessary for its production in corn be used in accordance
with the experimental use permit 70218-EUP-1, with the following
provisions:
The total amount of the active ingredients to be used must not
exceed the quantity authorized by the experimental use permits. Plant
Genetic Systems (America) must immediately notify the EPA of any
findings from the experimental use that have a bearing on safety. The
company must also keep records of production, distribution, and
performance and on request make the records available to any authorized
officer or employee of the EPA or the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA).
This temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance
expires and is revoked January 31, 1999. Residues remaining in or on
the raw agricultural commodity after this expiration date will not be
considered actionable if the corn containing the plant-pesticide was
legally planted during the term of, and in accordance with, the
provisions of the amended experimental use permit and temporary
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
This temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance may be
revoked if the experimental use permit is revoked or if any experience
with or scientific data on this pesticide indicate that the tolerance
is not safe.
EPA will publish a document in the Federal Register to remove the
revoked temporary exemption from the Code of Federal Regulations.
III. Objections and Hearing Requests
The new FFDAC section 408(g) provides essentially the same process
for persons to ``object'' to a tolerance exemption regulation issued by
EPA under new section 408(e) as was provided in the old section 408.
However, the period for filing objections is 60 days, rather than 30
days. EPA currently has procedural regulations which govern the
submission of objections and hearing requests. These regulations will
require some modification to reflect the new law. However, until those
modifications can be made, EPA will continue to use those procedural
regulations with appropriate adjustments to reflect the new law.
Any person adversely affected by this regulation may, within 30
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register, file
written objections to the regulation and may also request a hearing on
those objections. Objections and hearing requests must be filed with
the Hearing Clerk, at the address given above (40 CFR 178.20). A copy
of the objections and/or hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk
should be submitted to the OPP docket for this rulemaking. The
objections submitted must specify the provisions of the regulation
deemed objectionable and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR
178.25). Each objection must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by 40
CFR 180.33(i). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a
statement of the factual issue(s) on which a hearing is requested, the
requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence
relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27). A request for a hearing
will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material
submitted shows the following: There is genuine and substantial issue
of fact; there is a reasonable possibility that available evidence
identified by the requestor would, if established, resolve one or more
of such issues in favor of the requestor, taking into account
uncontested claims or facts to the contrary; and resolution of the
factual issue(s) in the manner sought by the requestor would be
adequate to justify the action requested (40 CFR 178.32).
IV. Public Record and Electronic Submissions
EPA has established a record for this rulemaking under docket
control number [OPP-300612] (including any comments and data submitted
electronically). 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 public
record is located in Room 119 of the Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services, Division (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Crystal
Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Electronic comments may 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.
The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public
version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly,
EPA will transfer any copies of objections and hearing requests
received electronically into printed, paper form as they are received
and will place the paper copies in the official rulemaking record which
will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The
official rulemaking record is the paper record maintained at the
address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
V. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
This final rule establishes an exemption from the tolerance
requirement 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). This final rule does not contain any
[[Page 17690]]
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) (Pub. L. 104-4). Nor does
it require any prior consultation as specified by Executive Order
12875, entitled Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR
58093, October 28, 1993), or 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 require OMB review in
accordance with Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April
23, 1997).
In addition, since tolerances and exemptions that are established
on the basis of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the
exemption 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. Nevertheless, the Agency previously
assessed whether establishing tolerances, exemptions from tolerances,
raising tolerance levels or expanding exemptions might adversely impact
small entities and concluded, as a generic matter, that there is no
adverse economic impact. The factual basis for the Agency's generic
certification for tolerance actions published on May 4, 1981 (46 FR
24950), and was provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration.
VI. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), as added by the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the Agency has submitted 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 General Accounting Office prior to publication of this rule in
today's Federal Register. This 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: March 26, 1998.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
PART 180--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371
2. Section 180.1192 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 180.1192 Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi Cry9C
protein and the genetic material necessary for its production in corn;
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
The plant-pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tolworthi
Cry9C and the genetic material necessary for its production in corn is
temporarily exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues,
only in corn used for feed; as well as in meat, poultry, milk, or eggs
resulting from animals fed such feed. This temporary exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance will permit the use of the feed commodities
and the marketing of animals fed such feed in this paragraph when
treated in accordance with the provisions of experimental use permit
70218-EUP-1, which is being amended and extended under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended (7
U.S.C. 136). This temporary exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance expires and is revoked January 31, 1999. This temporary
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance may be revoked at any
time if the experimental use permit is revoked or if any experience
with or scientific data on this pesticide indicate that the tolerance
is not safe.
[FR Doc. 98-9245 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
