[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12721]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-50840; FRL-5789-2]
Receipt of a Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Field Testing of
a Genetically Engineered Microbial Pesticide
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt from DuPont Agricultural
Products of a notification (352-NMP-A) of intent to conduct small-scale
field testing involving baculoviruses, which have been genetically
engineered to express synthetic genes which encode for an insect-
specific toxin. The tests will be small-scale and will not involve more
than a cumulative total of 10 acres per pest per year. Any food or feed
crops shall be destroyed or consumed only by experimental animals. The
Agency has determined that the notification may be of regional and
national significance. Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a),
the Agency is soliciting public comments on this notification. Q02
Dates: Written comments must be received on or before June 12, 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. 1119, 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. 1119 at the Virginia address
given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Schneider, PM 90,
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
address: 5th floor CS1 2800 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-
8683, e-mail: schneider.william@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of receipt of this notification does
not imply a decision by the Agency on this notification.
EPA received a notification from DuPont Agricultural Products of
Delaware (352-NMP-A). The proposed small-scale field trials involve the
introduction of genetically engineered isolates of nuclear polyhedrosis
baculoviruses, which have been genetically engineered to express a
synthetic gene which encodes for an insect-specific toxin. The purpose
of the proposed testing will be to assess and compare the efficacy of
formulated and unformulated genetically engineered constructs,
formulated and unformulated wild type nuclear polyhedrosis
baculoviruses, and various controls against agriculture pest insects.
These tests are similar to testing previously approved by EPA in 1996
(notification 352-NMP-4) and 1997 (notification 352-NMP-5). Following
review of DuPont's notification and any comments received in response
to this notice, EPA may approve the tests, ask for additional data,
require additional modifications to the test protocols, or require an
Experimental Use Permit application to be submitted. In accordance with
40 CFR 172.50, under no circumstances shall the proposed tests proceed
until the submitter has received notice from EPA of its approval of
such tests.
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-50840'' (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-508040.'' Electronic comments on this
proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
Dated: April 29, 1998.
Kathleen F. Knox,
Acting Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division,
Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-12721 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
