APS REGULATORY ALERT E-MAIL

TO: U.S. APS Members

FROM: APS Public Policy Board

SUBJECT: Regulatory Alert - EPA Regulations: Section 18

To all U.S. APS Members:

The ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY is announcing and seeking comment on a pilot program limited to exemption applications for which the requested chemical is a pesticide previously identified by EPA as a reduced-risk pesticide. Under this limited pilot, EPA will allow applicants for certain exemptions to re-certify that the emergency conditions which initially qualified for an exemption continue to exist in the second and third years, and will allow for a new tiered approach to be used for documenting a "significant economic loss." This limited pilot is the result of extensive stakeholder involvement and an effort to streamline the emergency exemption process. The complete information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2003/April/Day-24/p10169.htm. The APS Public Policy Board is seeking your input on developing an appropriate response to this request for comment. Please provide your input by June 1.