[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-15678] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: June 29, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 180 [PP 3F4242/R2066; FRL-4873-2] RIN No. 2070-AB78 Ampelomyces Quisqualis Isolate M10; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biological fungicide Ampelomyces quisqualis isolate M10 in or on all raw agricultural commodities when used as a fungicide on agricultural crops in accordance with good agricultural practices. This exemption was requested by Ecogen, Inc. EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective June 17, 1994. ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the document control number, [PP 3F4242/R2066], may be submitted to: Hearing Clerk (1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. A copy of any objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk should be identified by the document control number and submitted to: Public Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring copy of objections and hearing requests to: Rm. 1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202. Fees accompanying objections shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees), P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Steve Robbins, Product Manager (PM) 21, Registration Division (7505C), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Rm. 227, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202, (703)-305-6900. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of May 11, 1994 (59 FR 24429), announcing that Ecogen, Inc., 2005 Cabot Blvd., West Langhorne, PA 19047, had submitted pesticide petition (PP) 3F4242 to EPA proposing to amend 40 CFR part 180 by establishing a regulation under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371, to exempt from the requirement of a tolerance the residues of the biological fungicide Ampelomyces quisqualis isolate M10 in or on all raw agricultural commodities when used as a fungicide on agricultural crops in accordance with good agricultural practices. No comments were received in response to the notice of filing. This organism is a naturally occurring strain of Ampelomyces which was isolated from powdery mildew (Oidium sp.) that was infecting Cynia plants growing in Israel. Ampelomyces quisqualis is a well known hyperparasite of the Erysiphaceae family, a pathogenic fungus that causes powdery mildew diseases on a wide variety of plant species. Strains of Ampelomyces are not generally regarded as human, animal, or plant pathogens. The product containing this organism is intended to be applied as a foliar spray to plants susceptible to infection by powdery mildew fungi such as apples, cucurbits, grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes. The data submitted in the petition and other relevant material have been evaluated. The toxicological data considered in support of the exemption from the requirement of a tolerance include an acute oral toxicity/pathogenicity study, an acute dermal toxicity study, an acute pulmonary toxicity/pathogenicity study, an acute intraperitoneal toxicity/pathogenicity study, a primary eye irritation study, and a primary dermal irritation study. A review of these studies indicated that the organism was not toxic, pathogenic, or infective to test animals when administered via oral or dermal routes of exposure. Mortality to treated rats was observed in the acute pulmonary test immediately following dosing and could be related to toxic response or could simply be the result of dose administration. The results of the pulmonary study are not directly related to the exemption from tolerance requirements since consumers of agricultural products would not be exposed to the organism in this manner. Ampelomyces quisqualis was not pathogenic or infective to rats in this study or in the acute intraperitoneal toxicity/ pathogenicity study. When rats were dosed intraperitoneally, there was a failure to gain weight through day 7 of the test, and lesions were present on the organs in the peritoneum, indicating slight toxicity, which may be caused by the injection of either the live or killed microbe. These effects were minimal and reversible and therefore not considered significant toxic effects. Minimal ocular irritation in rabbits was noted in the primary eye irritation study, and the product was found to be nonirritating to rabbits in the primary dermal irritation study. All of the toxicity studies submitted are considered acceptable and are sufficient to demonstrate that no foreseeable health hazards to humans or domestic animals are likely to arise from the use of this organism as a fungicide on agricultural crops. Acceptable daily intake (ADI) and maximum permissible intake (MPI) considerations are not relevant to this petition because the data submitted demonstrate that this biological control agent is not toxic to humans by dietary exposure. No enforcement actions are expected. Therefore, the requirement for an analytical method for enforcement purposes is not applicable to this exemption request. This is the first exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for this biological control agent. Ampelomyces quisqualis isolate M10 is considered useful for the purposes for which the exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is sought. Based on the information considered, the Agency concludes that establishment of a tolerance is not necessary to protect the public health. Therefore, the regulation is established as set forth below. Any person adversely affected by this regulation may, within 30 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register, file written objections and/or request for hearing with the Hearing Clerk, at the address given above (40 CFR 178.20). A copy of the objections and/or hearing requests filed with the hearing Clerk should be submitted to the OPP docket for this rulemaking. The objections submitted must specify the provisions of the regulation deemed objectionable and the grounds for the objections. 40 CFR 178.25. Each objection must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by 40 CFR 180.33(i). 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 each such issue, and a summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector. 40 CFR 178.27. 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; the 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. The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this rule from the requirements of section 3 of Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Administrator has determined that regulations establishing new tolerances or raising tolerance levels or establishing exemptions from tolerance requirements do not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. A certification statement to this effect was published in the Federal Register of May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950). List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180 Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: June 17, 1994. Daniel M. Barolo, Director, Office of Pesticide Programs. Therefore, 40 CFR part 180 is amended as follows: PART 180--[AMENDED] a. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows: Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371. b. In subpart D, by adding new Sec. 180.1131, to read as follows: Sec. 180.1131 Ampelomyces quisqualis isolate M10; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. The biological fungicide Ampelomyces quisqualis isolate M10 is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in or on all raw agricultural commodities when used as a fungicide on agricultural crops in accordance with good agricultural practices. [FR Doc. 94-15678 Filed 6-28-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F