Pesticides; tolerances in food, animal feeds, and raw agricultural commodities: 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4propyl-s-triazolo(1,5-alpha)pyrimidin-5-one,

[Federal Register: August 10, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 153)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 46428-46431]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10au05-7]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-2005-0141; FRL-7728-1]

2-amino-4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-propyl-s-triazolo(1,5- alpha)pyrimidin-5-one (PP796); Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This regulation amends the established exemption from the requirement of a tolerance under 40 CFR 180.1065 for 2-amino-4,5- dihydro-6-methyl-4-propyl-s-triazolo(1,5-alpha)pyrimidin-5-one, which is also known as ``PP796'', by increasing the amount that can be used to not more than 0.3 percent in formulation of paraquat dichloride. Syngenta Crop Protection submitted a pesticide petition ((PP) 5E6929) requesting this amendment.

DATES: This regulation is effective August 10, 2005. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before October 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES: To submit a written objection or hearing request follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0141. All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Although

listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Angulo, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 306-0404; e-mail address: angulo.karen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. General Information

   1. Does this Action Apply to Me?

      You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:

      Crop production (NAICS code 111)

      Animal production (NAICS code 112)

      Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311)

      Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532)

      This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

   2. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

      In addition to using EDOCKET (http://www.epa.gov/edocket/), you may

      access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180

      is available at E-CFR Beta Site Two at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.

2. Background and Statutory Findings

   In the Federal Register of June 30, 2005 (70 FR 37847) (FRL-7719- 4), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide tolerance petition (PP 5E6929) by Syngenta Crop Protection, P.O Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419-8300 for 2-amino- 4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-propyl-s-triazolo(1,5-alpha)pyrimidin-5-one, which is also known as ``PP796''. This notice included a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner. The petition requested that the established exemption from the requirement of a tolerance under 40 CFR 180.1065 be amended by increasing the amount of PP796 that can be used to not more than 0.3 percent in formulation of paraquat dichloride. No substantive comments were received in response to the notice of filing.

   Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of the FFDCA allows EPA to establish an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that the exemption is ``safe.'' Section 408(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. Pursuant to section 408(c)(2)(B), in establishing or maintaining in effect an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance, EPA must take into account the factors set forth in section 408(b)(2)(C), which require EPA to give special consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . .'' Additionally, section 408(b)(2)(D) of the FFDCA requires that 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.''

   The existing tolerance exemption under 40 CFR 180.1065 allows for the use of PP796 as an emetic at not more than 0.1 percent in formulation of paraquat dichloride. In the Federal Register Notice (November 12, 1981; 46 FR 55725) that established this exemption, EPA stated the following in its Basis for Approval: ``This exemption is justified because the severe health hazard associated with oral ingestion of paraquat allows for efforts to advance any opportunity to reduce retention of accidentally ingested paraquat formulations. Also, any possible adverse effect of PP796 (the inert emetic) is minimal in comparison to the irreversible severe consequences of paraquat ingestion. Based on the above information, and review of its use, it has been found that, when used in accordance with good agricultural practices, this ingredient is useful and does not pose a hazard to humans or to the environment.''

   According to EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED; 1997) for paraquat dichloride, since 1988 the manufacturer of paraquat dichloride has added the emetic PP796 (a substance that induces vomiting), a stenching agent, and blue dye in an effort to prevent accidental and intentional ingestions from occurring. The RED stated that ``U.S. Poison Control Center data show a decline of almost 50 percent when comparing the proportion of all pesticide exposures due to paraquat ingestion for the four years pre- and post 1988.''

   According to the RED, paraquat dichloride is a restricted use herbicide currently registered to control weeds and grasses in many agricultural and non-agricultural areas. The RED states there are no residential or other non-occupational uses of paraquat dichloride, and exposure to paraquat dichloride in drinking water is not expected. Therefore, exposure to PP796 from applications of paraquat dichloride are not expected from residential/non-occupational and drinking water sources. A substantial increase in dietary risk is not anticipated from this small raise of the allowable percentage of the emetic PP796 from 0.1 to 0.3 in formulation of paraquat dichloride. Therefore, the Agency has determined that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm to any population subgroup will result from aggregate exposure when considering dietary exposure and all other non-occupational sources of pesticide exposure for which there is reliable information. Also, the health benefits of including an emetic in paraquat dichloride formulations as stated in the 1981 Federal Register Notice (46 FR 55725) are reaffirmed here. In addition, the RED states paraquat dichloride does not pose a hazard to the environment. This small increase in the allowable amount of PP796 is also not expected to pose a hazard to the environment.

3. Objections and Hearing Requests

   Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), any person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those regulations require some modification to reflect the amendments made to the

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   FFDCA by the FQPA of 1996, EPA will continue to use those procedures, with appropriate adjustments, until the necessary modifications can be made. The new section 408(g) provides essentially the same process for persons to ``object'' to a regulation for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new section 408(d), as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409. However, the period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 30 days.

   1. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?

      You must file your objection or request a hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID number OPP-2005-0141 in the subject line on the first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before October 11, 2005.

      1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 178.25). 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). Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing request 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 information that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.

         Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. You may also deliver your request to the Office of the Hearing Clerk in Suite 350, 1099 14th St., NW., Washington, DC 20005. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 564-6255.

      2. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit III.A., you should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion in the official record that is described in ADDRESSES. Mail your copies, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0141, to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the PIRIB described in ADDRESSES. You may also send an electronic copy of your request via e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov. Please use an ASCII file format and avoid 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 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal Depository Libraries.

   2. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?

      A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a 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).

4. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

   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). Because this rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This final rule does not contain any 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) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not involve any technical standards that would require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). 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. The Agency hereby certifies that this rule will not have significant negative economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In addition, the Agency has determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitledFederalism(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). For these same reasons, the Agency has determined that this rule does not have any ``tribal implications'' as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with

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   Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.'' This rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.

5. Congressional Review Act

   The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit 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 United States prior to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final rule 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: August 1, 2005.

   Lois Rossi, Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

   0 Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

   PART 180--[AMENDED]

   0 1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

   0 2. Section 180.1065 is revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 180.1065 2-Amino-4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-propyl-s-triazolo(1,5- alpha)pyrimidin-5-one; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

   The inert ingredient, 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-propyl-s- triazolo(1,5-alpha)pyrimidin-5-one is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as an emetic at not more than 0.3 percent in formulations of paraquat dichloride. Further restrictions on this exemption are that this ingredient may not be advertised as an emetic and the paraquat product may not be promoted in any way because of the inclusion of this inert ingredient.

   [FR Doc. 05-15837 Filed 8-9-05; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6560-50-S