The intent of this network is to inform interested parties of new pesticide uses, impending pesticide use cancellations, tolerance revocations, and other items of agricultural interest. We recommend that you express any concerns or questions you have to the contact mentioned below or to your NAPIAP State Liaison Representative. If you wish to contact us at USDA, our phone number is 202-720-3186, our fax number is 202-720-3191, and our email address is ksmith@asrr.arsusda.gov.

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS TO ADVISE EPA AND USDA ON IMPLEMENTATION OF FQPA

The EPA-USDA Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC) has been established as a subcommittee under the auspices of the EPA National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). The TRAC is in response to Vice President Gore's request for EPA and USDA to work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

The TRAC is being asked to provide policy guidance on sound science, ways to increase transparency in decision-making, strategies for a reasonable transition for agriculture, and ways to enhance consultations with stakeholders, as pesticide tolerances are reassessed, including those for organophosphates (OPs). In this way, TRAC is expected to help in developing the framework for implementation of FQPA by increasing public participation.

USDA Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger is co-chairing the TRAC with EPA Deputy Administrator Fred Hansen. The TRAC is composed of experts that include farmers, environmentalists, public health officials, pediatric experts, pesticide companies, food processors and distributors, public interest groups, academicians, and tribal, State, and local governments.

Two TRAC meetings have already been held. The last meeting was on June 22 & 23, 1998 in Washington, DC. The third TRAC meeting is scheduled for next week, July 13 & 14, 1998, at the Ronald Reagan Building (International Trade Center), 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The next meeting of TRAC is scheduled for July 27 & 28, 1998. The TRAC meetings are open to the public, and outside statements by observers are welcome.

Information about the TRAC and their meetings can be obtained by consulting the TRAC Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac and/or the TRAC docket at EPA/OPP, Crystal Mall #2, Room 101, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 703-305-5805.

For additional information contact:

Ms. Margie Fehrenbach
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
Phone 703-305-7090
fehrenbach.margie@epamail.epa.gov

or

Ms. Linda Murray
EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs
703-305-7090
murray.linda@epamail.epa.gov

Sources:

Memo from Vice President Gore to USDA Secretary Glickman and Administrator Browner, 4/8/98, RNN 8:2 4/20/98

Memo from USDA Secretary Glickman and EPA Administrator Browner to Vice President Gore, 4/10/98, RNN 8:3 4/21/98

Memo from USDA Secretary Glickman to Vice President Gore, 4/29/98, RNN 8:4 5/22/98

Federal Register 63:31768 6/10/98

The Reregistration Notification Network is a cooperative effort of USDA-OPMP, Interregional Project No. 4 (IR-4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the American Crop Protection Association (ACPA).
Last Modified July 21, 1998