On May 22, the Environmental Protection Agency submitted a proposed rule that would, among other things, increase the residue tolerance levels for several pesticides used in various fresh produce crops. Public comments can be submitted on this proposed rule by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on July 21.
The EPA says in its proposed rule that the changes may affect those involved with crop production and/or pesticide manufacturing.
Along with some housekeeping-style changes, the proposed rule would increase residue tolerance levels for certain pesticide/crop combinations, including:
- Diflubenzuron (an insecticide) in mushrooms from 0.2 parts per million to 8 ppm, as well as shifting crop categories related to brassica leafy greens and setting a 10 ppm tolerance for the group (up from 9 ppm in most cases).
- Flutolanil (a fungicide) in turnip greens and other brassica leafy greens from 0.1 ppm to 0.2 ppm.
Other changes in the proposed rule include shifting category definitions for certain crops and changing language related to crops and crop products for clarity and ease of use. For example, the proposed rule would replace older language “Apple from preharvest or postharvest use, including use of impregnated wraps” to simply “apple” in relevant regulatory language.
Interested members of the public can submit comments on this proposed rule online at Regulations.gov or at the Federal Register.
