Rodenticide Registrants Task Force (RRTF) and EPA Meeting

January 8, 2008 / 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

South Potomac Yard, 7th Floor

Attendees

Eileen Moyer, RRTF Chair, Reckitt Benckiser

Tom Schmit, Lipha Tech, Inc.

Rebeckah Adcock, American Farm Bureau Federation

Jim Aidala, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

Larry Culleen, Arnold & Porter, (for Reckitt Benckiser)

Lynn Bergeson, Bergenson & Campbell, P.C (for RRTF)

Steve Bradbury, EPA/OPP/Director, Special Review and Reregistration
Division

Susan Lewis, EPA/OPP/Special Review and Reregistration Division

Kelly Sherman, EPA/ OPP/Special Review and Reregistration Division

Laura Parsons, EPA/OPP/Special Review and Reregistration Division

Jennifer Howenstine, EPA/OPP/Special Review and Reregistration Division

John Hebert, EPA/OPP/Registration Division

Scott Garrison, EPA/Office of General Council

Via Speaker Phone

Liane Jenkins, Reckitt Benckiser

Tom Parshley, Syngenta Crop Protection Inc.

Steven R. Spaulding, Central Life Sciences-Wellmark International

Summary of Meeting 

	This meeting was requested by the Rodenticide Registrants Task Force
and Reckitt Benckiser to discuss the possible impact of the proposed
restricted use classification for the second-generation rodenticides on
farmers and agricultural operations, as well as alternative approaches
to EPA’s Proposed Risk Mitigation measures for rodenticides. Rebeckah
Adcock, of the American Farm Bureau Federation, communicated the
possible difficulties that small and mid-sized farming operations may
face in either obtaining licenses to apply restricted use rodenticides,
or in hiring an outside commercial applicator to apply them. The
American Farm Bureau contended that the restricted use classification
for the second-generation rodenticides may compromise the ability of
those farming operations without certification to respond to rodent
infestations and rodent-borne diseases. Eileen Moyer, Chair of the
Rodenticide Registrants Task Force, discussed the RRTF’s stewardship
proposal and other labeling changes suggested by the RRTF in lieu of a
restricted use classification for the second-generation rodenticides.
The suggested label changes would include user-specific bait application
instructions that would differentiate between agricultural and
residential users, and would include language to alert users to the
potential for secondary exposure from rodenticide use. RRTF also
discussed alternate proposals for containers and bait packaging,
changing the quantities of baits contained in stations, and distinctions
among appropriate product uses to prevent misuse of rodenticide baits.

	EPA agreed to review any data submitted by the RRTF demonstrating that
that proposed label information changes, indoor-use only restrictions,
and reductions of the amount bait active ingredients will significantly
reduce wildlife mortality from secondary exposures. EPA will also review
any data that demonstrates that indoor residential mice remain indoors
after consuming rodent bait, since EPA believes that rodents who travel
outdoors after consuming anticoagulant rodenticide baits indoors are
contributing to secondary wildlife mortality. EPA also agreed to hold a
follow-up meeting to discuss any additional mitigation ideas or data
submitted by the RRTF.

	

	

