EPA Revokes All Tolerances for Carbofuran in Food Commodities, Effective December 31st
The Environmental Protection Agency has published a final rule effective December 31, 2009, eliminating all tolerance1 levels for residue of the chemical pesticide product carbofuran in domestic and imported food commodities. EPA has determined that all products containing carbofuran generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on humans and the environment and do not meet safety standards. However, production and export of this product will still be allowed.
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(Carbofuran is an N-methyl carbamate pesticide registered to control pests in soil and on leaves in a variety of field, fruit, and vegetable crops. As with other pesticides in this class, the primary toxic effect seen following carbofuran exposure is neurotoxicity resulting from inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). No residential uses are registered.)
Revocation Affects 39 Domestic and Imported Food Commodities
The 39 commodities which currently have carbofuran tolerance levels that will be revoked by the final rule are as follows:
| alfalfa, fresh | corn, fresh (incl .sweet ) | oat, grain |
| alfalfa, hay | corn, stover | oat, straw |
| artichoke, globe2 | corn, grain (incl. popcorn); | pepper |
| banana | cotton, undelinted seed | potato |
| barley, grain | cranberry | pumpkin |
| barley, straw | cucumber | raisins, waste |
| beet, sugar | grape | rice, grain |
| beet tops, sugar | grape (raisin) | rice, straw |
| coffee bean | melon | sorghum, fodder |
| corn, forage | milk | sorghum, forage |
Exceptions for Carbofuran Applied Prior to December 31st
EPA states that after December 31, 2009, the only permissible carbofuran residues in the food commodities listed above will be those which result from the prior application of the product, at a time and in a manner that was lawful under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Evidence to show that food was lawfully treated may include records that verify the dates when the pesticide was applied.
Objections Are Due By July 14th
Objections, hearing requests and requests for stays must be submitted by July 14, 2009.
1A "tolerance" represents the maximum level for residues of pesticide chemicals legally allowed in or on raw agricultural commodities (including animal feed) and processed foods.
2 The final rule includes revocations for two products for which the agency had previously planned to delay the tolerance revocation, globe artichokes and sunflowers.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/01/08 news, 08080110, for BP summary of the EPA Proposed Rule.)
- objections due by 07/14/09
EPA contact - Jude Andreasen (703) 308-9342
EPA Final Rule (D/N EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0162, FR pub 05/15/09) available at http://edocketaccessgpogov/2009/E9-11396htm