Overview
Title
Notice of Receipt of Requests To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA is thinking about stopping some bug sprays and wants people to tell them what they think before March 19, 2021, and you can still use these sprays if they are sold in the way the rules say.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the receipt of requests from pesticide registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations. This notice is part of the requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). If these requests are approved, the sale and use of these products will be allowed only under specific conditions as stated in the final order. Comments on this action are accepted until March 19, 2021, and interested parties can submit their feedback through designated channels.
Abstract
In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw its requests. In a previous notice, FRL-10009-98, which posted on June 5, 2020; the agency stated it was holding the registration 3573-73, for further review of the comment received regarding the cancellation of the product; the proposed P&G cancellation has been withdrawn. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the registrations have been cancelled only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that several pesticide registrants have requested the voluntary cancellation of specific pesticide registrations. This announcement is made under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and will allow the sale and use of these pesticides under defined conditions if approved. Public comments are invited until March 19, 2021, providing an opportunity for interested parties to express their views.
Summary of the Document
The document outlines EPA's receipt of requests from companies to cancel their pesticide registrations. If there are no substantive comments against such cancellations or if the registrants have no objections, the EPA will finalize these cancellations. The notice emphasizes the procedures for handling existing stocks of these pesticides, detailing specific timeframes during which products can still be sold and distributed after the cancellation date.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A primary concern arising from the document is the complexity and technical nature of the information, especially regarding the registration numbers and the legislative citations. These elements might be challenging for individuals who are not experts in regulatory affairs to comprehend fully. The references to specific product registration numbers without detailed explanations might leave the public uncertain about which products are affected and their potential impacts.
Another significant issue is related to the submission of comments. The document warns against submitting Confidential Business Information (CBI) electronically yet does not clearly delineate why or the consequences of incorrect submission. This lack of detailed guidance might lead to confusion or misuse of the comment submission process. Further, while there is an option for hand delivery of comments, the document does not clearly describe how to carry this out, especially important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to limited public access to the EPA Docket Center.
Impact on the General Public
For the general public, the ongoing process might not immediately impact daily life. However, the cancellation could eventually affect agricultural practices, environmental safety, and possibly the cost and availability of certain agricultural products. It is important for the public to be aware of these changes, as they may indirectly impact consumer choice and food safety.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
* Environmental and health advocates:* These stakeholders might view the voluntary cancellation as a positive step towards reducing potential environmental and health risks associated with pesticide use. This notice allows them to participate in the public comment process, potentially influencing the final decision and policy direction.
* Agricultural industry and pesticide users:* For those in the agricultural sector, pesticide cancellations might have mixed effects. On one hand, the removal of certain products could increase the need for alternative solutions, potentially impacting cost and crop management practices. On the other hand, the orderly cancellation process and disposal provisions may help mitigate disruptions.
* Registrants and chemical industry:* The registrants and manufacturing companies are primarily impacted by this notice. The requirement to halt sales and distributions after specified timelines unless for export or disposal might necessitate adjustments within these businesses, especially in inventory management and compliance strategies.
Conclusion
Overall, while the EPA's notice of pesticide cancellation is a routine regulatory procedure, it underscores the complexity involved in balancing public safety, environmental concerns, and industry needs. It invites the public and stakeholders to voice their opinions on the process, encouraging a participatory approach to regulatory actions. Providing clearer guidance on procedures and enhancing transparency regarding affected products and legislative references could improve public engagement and understanding.
Issues
• The document includes references to specific product registration numbers (e.g., 3573-73, 1007-99) but does not provide information on what these products are, making it hard for laypeople to understand the implications of their cancellation.
• The process for submitting comments includes a warning against electronically submitting Confidential Business Information (CBI) but does not clearly explain why or how it will be handled if submitted incorrectly, which could lead to confusion.
• The document mentions the option to hand-deliver documents by making special arrangements but doesn't clearly explain how to initiate those arrangements, potentially causing inconvenience during the COVID-19 pandemic when the EPA Docket Center is closed to visitors.
• The use of legal citations (e.g., '7 U.S.C. 136d(f)(1)') might be difficult for non-expert readers to understand, as they may not be familiar with these laws and their implications.
• The document specifies various time frames for selling existing stocks of pesticides (e.g., 13 months, 18 months) but does not provide a clear rationale for why different products have different timelines, which could raise questions about consistency and fairness.
• The document encourages people not to submit CBI through certain methods but lacks clear instructions for how to properly submit CBI, which might cause compliance issues for commenters.