WASHINGTON,
DC, July 22, 2005 (ENS): To ensure that pesticide
registrations continue to meet current health and safety
standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is seeking public comment on a proposal to review
each existing pesticide registration every 15 years.
This new registration review program, mandated by the
Food Quality Protection Act, will begin in 2006 and
make sure that older pesticides will still meet the
statutory standard of no unreasonable adverse effects.
In developing this program over the past several years,
EPA consulted with and received significant input from
the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee and other key
stakeholders regarding the design of registration review.
The Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee includes members
of federal, state and tribal agencies, agri-business
and chemical industry representatives and people from
environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense
Council, American Bird Conservancy, and Defenders of
Wildlife.
Under the proposed process, the EPA would assess any
changes that have occurred since the agency's last registration
decision on the pesticide. EPA would determine the significance
of such changes and whether additional restrictions
are needed to ensure that the pesticide meets current
requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act.
Registration review will replace the reregistration
and tolerance reassessment programs which are nearing
completion. As in those programs, the registration review
process would allow for public participation, but unlike
those "one-time reassessment" programs, registration
review will reoccur for each pesticide every 15 years.
During the 90 day comment period for this proposal,
the agency will hold public information meetings on
the proposed rule.
For additional information on the registration review
rulemaking, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2005. All
Rights Reserved.
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