. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/USA/989 
28 September 2004 
 (04-4076) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION  
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   UNITED STATED
 
If applicable, name of local government involved: 
2. Agency responsible:   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Products that use the herbicide benflu ralin, a pre-emergent dinitroaniline 
herbicide used to control weeds in turf and ornamental plants, lettuce, alfalfa, clover, 
birdsfoot trefoil, nonbearing fruit and nut  trees, nonbearing berries, and nonbearing 
vineyards. 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Any 
U.S. trade partners.  
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Notice: Benfluralin; 
Availability of Reregistration Eligibility Deci sion (RED) Document (Available in English, 
2 pages). 
6. Description of content:  The Agency has issued a RED for the pesticide benfluralin.  
Benfluralin is a pre-emergent dinitroaniline herbicide used to control weeds in turf and 
ornamental plants, lettuce, alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, nonbearing fruit and nut trees, nonbearing berries, and nonbearing vineyards.  Most of the benfluralin used is applied to turf.  Under US law, EPA is conducting a re-re gistration to re-evaluate existing pesticides 
to make sure they meet current scientific a nd regulatory standards.  The database to support 
the re-registration of benfluralin is substantially complete.  Risks associated with 
benfluralin have been mitigated so that it will not pose unreasonable risks to people or the 
environment when used according to its approved labeling. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [ X ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [   ] plant protection, 
[ X ] protect humans from anima l/plant pest or disease,  [   ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pests 
8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:  
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE), [   ] International Plant Protection Convention, [ X ] None  
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate 
reference and briefly identify deviations:   NA 
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  DOCID:fr, Federal 
Register : September 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 170) Pages 53704-53705;  
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/ 2004/September/Day-02/p20045.htm  
Available in English G/SPS/N/USA/989 
Page 2  
 
 10. Proposed date of adoption:   Not available 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   Not available 
12. Final date for comments:  N/A 
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [ X ] National notification 
authority, [   ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:   Katie Hall, Special Review and Reregistration Division 
(7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460- 0001;  Tel:  (703) 308-0166;  E-mail 
address:  hall.katie@epa.gov
.  Note:  Identify docket name "OPP-2004-0210" in subject 
line of your response. 
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notificati on authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, 
or address, fax number and E-mail add ress (if available) of other body:  Ms. Julie 
Morin, United States SPS Enquiry Point O fficer, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, 
Food Safety & Technical Services Division, Stop 1027, Washington D.C. 20250.  Tel:  
202-720-4051;  Fax:  202-690-0677;  Email:  fstsd@usda.gov