              										UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                                                             WASHINGTON, DC  20460


                                                      OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

                                                                 	
Oxathiapiprolin: Response to Public Comment on EPA's Notice of Receipt for the Proposed Use of Oxathiapiprolin on Cacao, dried bean (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0049)

Summary
This document summarizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (the Agency, EPA) response to a public comment received through the public notification of the receipt of the application for the new uses of oxathiapiprolin on cacao, dried bean.  

On November 10, 2016, EPA published a notice of receipt in the Federal Register for Pesticide Product Registration; Application for New Uses. The Notice for the proposed new use announced a public comment period of 30 days; one comment was received on the notice of receipt. 

The comment was submitted by a private citizen which stated, "There are many superior and natural non-harmful alternatives to pesticides. We should be publicizing and supporting the use of environmentally friendly alternatives rather than spending money and effort to allow more uses for harmful agents."

Agency Response

The Agency understands the commenter's concerns regarding toxic chemicals. Pursuant to its authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Agency conducted a comprehensive assessment of oxathiapiprolin. Based on its assessment of the available data, the Agency has concluded that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to residues of oxathiapiprolin. 

OPP's ecological risk assessment process is based on EPA's Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment (https://www.epa.gov/risk/guidelines-ecological-risk-assessment) and consists of a comprehensive, robust, and peer-reviewed process that considers extensive environmental fate and ecological effects data used to evaluate the potential ecological exposure and impacts of a pesticide in the environment. This risk assessment is conducted to support the overall decision-making for the proposed pesticidal use.  

The Agency is reviewing each registered pesticide at least every 15 years to determine whether it continues to meet the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) standard for registration.  


