[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12829-12830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6804]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00475; FRL-5596-6]


1996 Food Quality Protection Act, Amendments to the Laws 
Governing the Regulation of Pesticides; EPA's Implementation Plan

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 Action: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA's plan for implementing the provisions of the Food Quality 
Protection Act of 1996 is now available to the public. On August 3, 
1996, President Clinton signed into law the Food Quality Protection Act 
of 1996 (FQPA). FQPA significantly amends the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the laws governing pesticide regulation. EPA's 
FQPA Implementation Plan summarizes the provisions of FQPA and explains 
the Agency's approach to implementing them. FQPA significantly changes 
the way pesticides must be reviewed. The new law requires EPA, among 
other things, to upgrade its scientific review procedures to provide a 
more complete assessment of pesticide risks, especially risks to 
potentially sensitive groups, such as infants and children. FQPA sets a 
new health-based safety standard for all pesticide residues in food and 
requires that all established permissible pesticide residue limits 
(tolerances) be re-evaluated in accordance with the new standard. This 
Federal Register Notice announces the availability of the 
Implementation Plan and instructs the public on how to obtain it.

ADDRESSES: By mail: Copies of the FQPA Implementation Plan are 
available by mail at the following locations: Public Response and 
Program Resources Branch, or the Communications Services Branch, Field 
and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
    In person:
    1. Public Response and Program Resources Branch, Rm. 1132, Crystal 
Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 305-5805.
    2. Communications Services Branch, Rm. 1120, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 305-5017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Christine Gillis, Field and 
External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Telephone (703) 305-5131

[[Page 12830]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability: Electronic copies of this document and the 
Implementation Plan are available from the EPA home page at the 
Environmental Sub-Set entry for this document under ``Regulations'' 
(http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/). The Implementation Plan is also posted 
at the FQPA section of EPA's Website: http://www.epa.gov/opppsps1/FQPA.
    FQPA represents the most significant piece of pesticide and food 
safety legislation enacted in 30 years. It provides unprecedented 
opportunities to safeguard the health of all Americans, particularly 
infants and children, from risks posed by pesticides. The President 
called it ``the peace of mind act'' because it will ``give parents the 
peace of mind that comes from knowing that the fruits, vegetables, and 
grains that they set down in front of their children are safe.'' FQPA 
signals a new era in food safety regulation in the United States. Major 
provisions, once fully implemented, will strengthen health and 
environmental protection in a number of ways. FQPA will:
    <bullet> Establish a single, health-based standard for all 
pesticide residues in food, eliminating past inconsistencies in the law 
which treated residues in some processed foods differently from other 
raw and processed foods.
    <bullet> Provide for a more complete assessment of potential risks, 
with special protections for potentially sensitive groups, such as 
infants and children.
    <bullet> Require a reassessment of all existing residue limits in 
accordance with the new standard.
    <bullet> Expand consumers' ``right to know'' about pesticide risks 
and benefits by requiring a new brochure for display in supermarkets 
and grocery stores.
    <bullet> Ensure that all pesticides are periodically re-evaluated 
for adherence to current safety standards and are supported by up-to-
date scientific data.
    <bullet> Expedite the approval of safer, reduced risk pesticides.
    <bullet> Encourage the development of safer, effective crop 
protection tools for American farmers.
    <bullet> Promote national uniformity in pesticide residue limits, 
while respecting states' rights to require labeling or other warnings.
    <bullet> Establish a more consistent, protective regulatory 
process, grounded in sound science and adaptable to future advances in 
scientific understanding.
    No specific transition period is provided by the new FQPA, but the 
law contains sufficient flexibility to allow for a phase-in period as 
EPA deals with the complexities of the new provisions. An important 
element of EPA's plan for implementation is the development of interim 
strategies to allow EPA to make timely decisions which are protective 
and economical but which can be revisited as implementation progresses. 
EPA intends to continually review all activities undertaken to 
implement the FQPA amendments, to assess their effectiveness and to 
make modifications as necessary. EPA will update implementation 
communication materials on a regular basis.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides, and pests.

    Dated: March 12, 1997.
Lynn R. Goldman,
Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 97-6804 Filed 3-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F