[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 39518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19387]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-50833; FRL-5731-8]
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 of a notification (241-NMP-L) of
intent to conduct small-scale field testing involving a microorganism,
Helicoverpa zea single-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV),
which has been genetically engineered to (1) express an insect-specific
pesticidal toxin, AaH IT1, from the scorpion Androctonus australis and
(2) prevent expression of the ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase gene.
American Cyanamid Company intends to test this microbial pesticide on
cotton in seven states for control of the tobacco budworm and the
cotton bollworm. The Agency has determined that these notifications may
be of regional and national significance. Therefore, in accordance with
40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is soliciting public comments on these
notifications.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to EPA by August 22, 1997.
ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments identified by the document
control number [OPP-50833] and the appropriate file symbol to: Public
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Divisions
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm.
1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following
the instructions under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION unit of this
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be
submitted through e-mail.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Schneider, Biopesticides
and Pollution Prevention Division (7501W), Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington,
DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: 5th
Floor, CS #1, 2805 Jefferson Davis Hwy., 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.
1. A Notification (241-NMP-L) was received from American Cyanamid
Company. The proposed small-scale field trial involves the introduction
of a baculovirus, Helicoverpa zea single-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis
virus (HzSNPV), which has been genetically engineered to express a gene
which encodes for an insect-specific pesticidal toxin, AaH IT1, from
the venom of the scorpion Androctonus australis. In addition, the gene
for ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (EGT) has been replaced with
the same gene containing a deletion so that this enzyme will not be
produced in the infected insect larvae. When insects are infected with
the naturally-occurring (wild-type) virus, EGT prevents the insect from
molting, and the insect will continue to eat and grow without molting.
In contrast, an insect infected with the engineered virus, will not eat
or molt resulting in death one to two days earlier than seen for the
wild-type virus.
2. American Cyanamid has previously field tested a different
baculovirus engineered to express the same toxin and having the same
EGT deletion in 1995 and 1996. The purpose of the proposed testing will
be to evaluate the efficacy of the baculovirus against the tobacco
budworm (Heliothis virescens) and the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea)
on cotton. The total acreage for all sites will not exceed 3.9 acres.
Individual tests will be conducted in: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas. The total amount of
HzSNPV for all of the testing will not exceed 100 grams of active
ingredient. On completion of the test, the crops will be destroyed.
Ground spray equipment will be used and will be disinfected with 0.1%
bleach solution following use.
Following review of these notifications 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 EUP applications to be submitted. In accordance
with 40 CFR 172.50, under no circumstances shall the proposed tests
proceed until the submitters have received notice from EPA of its
approval of such tests.
The official record for this notice, as well as the public version,
has been established for this notice under docket control number [OPP-
50833] (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 rulemaking record is located at the 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 file format or ASCII
file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be
identified by the docket control number [OPP-50833] and the appropriate
file symbol. Electronic comments on this notice may be filed online at
many Federal Depository Libraries.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection and Genetically engineered microbial
pesticides.
Dated: July 16, 1997.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-19387 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
