Avitrol Information Request -- Western Region
From: Teung.F.Chin
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 10:52 AM
To: ckk3@cornell.edu; hastings@aesop.rutgers.edu;
jea@psu.edu; aeg1@cornell.edu; jess@msu.edu; rsmelnicoe@ucdavis.edu;
Steve Toth; jdallen@tabcomp.com; rcrowder@amseed.org; wagoner@pocketinet.com;
lori@specialtycrops.org
Cc: jmthomas@tricity.wsu.edu; llherbst@ucdavis.edu;
jim@sripmc.org; olsenl@msu.edu; Allen.L.Jennings@usda.gov
Subject: Avitrol (4-aminopyridine), an avicide -
Pesticide Information Request - Public Comment Period Closes August
22
Pesticide information request
Active ingredient: Avitrol (4-aminopyridine) a restricted
use avicide with flock alarming properties that controls nuisance birds.
When consumed by birds, baits containing 4-aminopyridine elicit alarm
and distress reactions among target species. Individual birds that
consume the treated bait will react by flapping their wings erratically
and issuing audible distress calls which, depending on the reactivity
of the species, is supposed to frighten away the remainder of the flock.
Reactions of individual birds are expected to vary by species, as will
the reaction of the flock to a distressed member
Crops/Target sites: For use on crows, pigeons, grackles,
starlings, cowbirds, gulls, and house sparrows, and certain blackbird
species in and around structures, feed lots, airports, land fill sites,
and in California for protecting vineyards and sprouting agricultural
seeds.
Questions:
1. Are there additional data to further refine the risk assessments,
such as non-target incident information or use rate information, or
could address the Agency's risk assessment methodologies and assumptions
as applied to this specific pesticide?
2. Do you have any risk management proposals or otherwise comment on
risk management for 4-aminopyridine?
Risks of concern associated with the use of 4-aminopyridine are: acute
risk to birds, and potential risk to secondary predators feeding on
affected species. In targeting these risks of concern, the Agency solicits
information on effective and practical risk reduction measures.
3. Is Avitrol used in your state?
4. If yes, for each crop/target site:
- What percent of crop is treated?
- For which pests is Avitrol is critical for control?
- Typical usage patterns (e.g., number of applications per season,
use rate per application, acres treated, and time of application in
the season)
Please provide as much detail and documentation in your comments as
possible so that the Agency is fully informed in its decision-making.
Rick Melnicoe: I have already forwarded your pesticide use report
to EPA.
Respond to: Teung.F.Chin@aphis.usda.gov
CC to hall.katie@epa.gov;
ckk3@cornell.edu
Deadline: August 22, 2007
**************************************
Background and additional information:
On May 30, EPA released its ecological effects risk assessment for
Avitrol and related documents for public comment. On July 25, the comment
period was extended. Public comments on the risk assessment must
be received by the EPA Public Docket by August 22, 2007 as part of
its Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide.
All the EPA risk assessment documents may be reviewed in the EPA docket
under Docket Identification Number "EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0400" at http://www.regulations.gov.
Enter the Docket identification Number into the appropriate space in
the "Advanced
Search" tab and in the "Docket ID" space.
To submit comments to the docket, see the May 30 Federal Register http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2007/May/Day-30/p10228.htm.
If you submit comments directly to the EPA public docket [Docket Identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0400], please also send a copy to teung.f.chin@usda.gov and
Katie Hall at hall.katie@epa.gov [703/
308-8090] that USDA and EPA may better coordinate.
For more information:
See attached file:
1. Avitrol-Ecological-Effects-EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-400
2. 2005 New England Sweet Corn Survey Results by the New England Pest
Management Network [already provided to EPA]
5% of sweet corn growers (11 of 754) in New England are using
avitrol bait in a 2004 survey undertaken by the New England Pest Management
Network funded by the USDA Northeast Pest Management Center
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
or comments.
Best regards,
Teung
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teung F. Chin, Ph.D.
Biological Scientist
Office of Pest Management Policy
Agricultural Research Service
United States Department of Agriculture
PLEASE NOTE NEW ROOM LOCATION
LOCATED AT:
USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road, Unit 149 (Room 3D-06.29)
Riverdale, MD 20737-1237
Phone (301) 734-8943 Fax (301) 734-5992
http://www.ars.usda.gov/opmp
