[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9162]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180934; FRL 4774-4]
Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use
Imidacloprid; Solicitation of Public Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA has received a specific exemption request from the
California Environmental Protection Agency (hereafter referred to as
the ``Applicant'') to use the pesticide imidacloprid (CAS 105827-78-9)
to treat up to 2,000 acres of tomatoes to control the sweet potato
whitefly (Bemesia tabaci), and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes
vaporariorum). The Applicant proposes the first food use of an active
ingredient; therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 166.24, EPA is
soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to
grant the exemption.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 2, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180934,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Program Resource Branch, Field Operations Division
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm.
1132, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
``Confidential Business Information.'' 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 Confidential
Business Information must be provided by the submitter for inclusion in
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments filed
pursuant to this notice will be available for public inspection in Rm.
1132, Crystal Mall No. 2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Andrea Beard, Registration
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. Office location
and telephone number: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1, 2800 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8791.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 18 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p),
the Administrator may, at her discretion, exempt a state agency from
any registration provision of FIFRA if she determines that emergency
conditions exist which require such exemption. The Applicant has
requested the Administrator to issue a specific exemption for the use
of imidacloprid on tomatoes to control the sweet potato whitefly and
the greenhouse whitefly. Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166
was submitted as part of this request. Whiteflies have been a problem
in the ``desert-cropping systems'' in California and Arizona for some
time, but in 1990, a new strain was discovered, which appears to be
much more prolific than the standard strain, and resistant to many
insecticides. Whiteflies are common on many wild and cultivated crops
such as tomatoes, cotton, cucurbits and solanaceae. The Applicant
states that this new strain caused devastation to many crops in 1991 in
California's Imperial Valley, with crop losses over $120 million.
Whiteflies cause direct damage to the tomato plant through feeding
activities and the production of honeydew which enhances sooty mold
development.
Whiteflies are also considered responsible for the introduction and
distribution of at least one geminivirus (which can lead to extreme
yield losses), and also cause a physiological disorder resulting in
irregular ripening of fruit. The Applicant claims that adequate control
of these pests are not being achieved with the currently registered
compounds. The Applicant claims that without control of this pest,
growers could expect up to 30-40 percent yield losses, making it
economically unfeasible to grow tomatoes. The Applicant estimates that
losses could average over $1,300 per acre.
The Applicant proposes to apply imidacloprid at a maximum rate of
0.375 lb. (dry) active ingredient (24 fluid oz. of product) per acre
with a maximum of one application per crop season on a maximum of 2,000
acres of tomatoes. It is possible to produce two tomato crops per
calendar year on a given acre, and therefore, the acreage could
potentially receive two applications of imidacloprid per calendar year.
However, the Applicant proposes that no more than 0.5 lb. a.i. (32 fl.
oz. product) be applied per acre per calendar year. Therefore, use
under this exemption could potentially amount to a maximum total of
1,000 lbs. of active ingredient, or 500 gal. of product. This is the
first time that the Applicant has applied for the use of imidacloprid
on tomatoes. However, the Applicant requested, and was granted,
specific exemptions for the use of fenpropathrin in 1993, and
bifenthrin in 1992 and 1991, for whitefly control in tomatoes.
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require
publication of a notice of receipt in the Federal Register and solicit
public comment on an application for a specific exemption proposing the
first food use of an active ingredient. Accordingly, interested persons
may submit written views on this subject to the Field Operations
Division at the address above.
The Agency, accordingly, will review and consider all comments
received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the
emergency exemption requested by the California Environmental
Protection Agency.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: April 7, 1994.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-9162 Filed 4-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
