[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 50579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24288]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00416; FRL-4981-3]
Establishment of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, this notice announces the establishment of a Pesticide
Program Dialogue Committee. This Committee is being established to
provide a forum for a diverse group of individuals to provide advice
and assistance to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) regarding
pesticide regulatory development and reform initiatives, evolving
public policy and program implementation issues, and science issues
associated with evaluating and reducing risks from use of pesticides.
The Agency has determined that this is in the public interest and will
assist the Agency in performing its duties as prescribed in the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Copies of the Committee Charter
will be filed with the appropriate committees of Congress and the
Library of Congress. The Committee's first meeting will be scheduled in
the Fall of 1995 and will be open to the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons needing further information or
seeking to obtain a copy of the Committee Charter should contact:
Margie Fehrenbach, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code 7501C, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC
20460, Telephone: (703) 305-7090, e-mail:
fehrenbach.margie@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is entrusted with the
responsibility of ensuring the safety of the American food supply; the
protection from unreasonable risk or exposure of those who apply
pesticides, or are exposed to pesticides occupationally or through use
of products; and, general protection of the environment and special
ecosystems from potential risks posed by pesticides. OPP must also make
sure that pesticides are regulated fairly and help ensure that
effective measures for controlling pests are available through careful
balancing of pesticide risks and benefits.
Pesticides are used in a remarkably diverse array of products,
including insect repellents, agricultural weed killers, household
disinfectants, swimming pool chemicals, to name a few. They are likely
to be found or used in nearly every home and business in the United
States, where over one billion pounds of pesticide chemicals are used
each year. Thus, public concern over potential risks to human health
and the environment from pesticides is significant.
While several mechanisms are in place to try to involve the public
in pesticide decisionmaking activities, the Pesticide Program Dialogue
Committee will bring together a broad cross-section of knowledgeable
individuals from organizations representing divergent views to discuss
pesticide regulatory, policy and implementation issues. EPA proposed
the establishment of a dialogue committee to foster the exchange of
ideas and information so that feasible regulatory and policy changes
could be developed. Dialogue with outside groups is essential if OPP is
to be responsive to the needs of the affected public and industry
organizations.
The creation of a Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) will provide the structured
environment for meaningful information exchanges and consensus building
discussions.
II. Participants
The Group will have approximately 20 members. OPP will carefully
monitor membership to ensure that there is a balanced representation
from industry/trade associations; pesticide user and commodity groups;
consumer and environmental/public interest groups; and others.
EPA anticipates that the committee will contain the following types
of representatives: environmental/public interest groups, chemical
industry/trade associations, commodity and user groups, State and
Regional representatives, other Federal agencies, the public health
community, congressional committees, academia, and the general public.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection.
Dated: September 25, 1995.
Daniel M. Barolo,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-24288 Filed 9-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
