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EPA Pesticide Program Updates: April 30, 2001
EPA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Consent Decree and Proposed Settlement AgreementEPA is seeking public comment on a proposed Consent Decree and a proposed Settlement Agreement that would resolve lawsuits brought against the Agency by the Natural Resources Defense Council NRDC), the United Farmworkers of America, the AFL-CIO, and other farmworker/environmental groups with respect to EPA's pesticide and toxic chemical programs.The proposed Consent Decree establishes a series of deadlines for Agency action relating to the reassessment of pesticide tolerances and the reregistration of older pesticides. The proposed Settlement Agreement, among other things, sets a series of target "best efforts" dates by which EPA agrees to complete validation of, and thereafter, start requiring, certain scientific screens and tests in its program to screen and test chemicals for endocrine disrupting effects. EPA first filed a proposed Consent Decree and a Settlement Agreement in January 2001 and then submitted an amended Consent Decree on March 19 to address issues raised by representatives of the pesticide industry and farming community, who intervened in the suit. As part of the federal district court's review process, EPA is posting the proposals on its Web site and is soliciting public comments. The Court will use these comments in evaluating the reasonableness of the proposed agreements. Comments are due to EPA by May 14, 2001. Complete instructions on how to submit comments, along with a copy of the proposed Consent Decree and the proposed Settlement Agreement and other relevant documents, are posted on EPA's Web site. |
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 Western Integrated Pest Management Center Pest Management Centers are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service |
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