Receipt of Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Testing of Genetically Altered Microbial Pesticides

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-50797; FRL-4901-6]

Receipt of Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Testing of

Genetically Altered Microbial Pesticides

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces EPA's receipt of a notification of

intent to conduct small-scale testing of four genetically altered

strains of Bacillus thuringiensis from the Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

DATES: Written comments must be received by August 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments, in triplicate, should bear the docket control

number OPP-50797 and be submitted to: Public Response and Program

Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of

Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,

Washington, DC 20460. In person bring comments to: Rm. 1128, Crystal

Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.

Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be

claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as

``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI). Information so marked will

not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40

CFR part 2. A copy of the comment that does not contain CBI must be

submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked

confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice to

the submitter. Written comments will be available for public inspection

in Rm. 1128 at the address given above, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Phillip O. Hutton, Product

Manager (PM) 18, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide

Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington,

DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Rm. 213, Crystal Mall

#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202 (703) 305-7690.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notification of intent to conduct small-

scale field testing pursuant to the EPA's Statement of Policy entitled

``Microbial Products Subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and

Rodenticide Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act,'' published in

the Federal Register of June 26, 1986 (51 FR 23313), has been received

by Ciba-Geigy Corporation of Greensboro, North Carolina. The purpose of

the proposed testing is to determine the biological activity of the

Bacillus thuringiensis strains CGB203, CGB208, CGB209, and CGB210

against diamondback moth, fall armyworm, beet armyworm, and tomato

fruitworm on cole crops and tomatoes over a 2-year period. These

strains have had various Bacillus thuringiensis cry genes inserted into

them via a B. thuringiensis - E. coli shuttle vector containing a B.

thuringiensis origin of replication and ampicillin and erythromycin

resistance markers. One of these strains also had a cry gene introduced

via conjugal transfer between two strains of B. thuringiensis. The

testing will take place in Florida on less than 1 acre per strain per

year. Plants in the test sites will be plowed into the soil at the

termination of the testing.

Following review of the Ciba-Geigy Corporation application and any

comments received in response to this Notice, EPA will decide whether

or not an Experimental Use Permit is required.

Dated: July 15, 1994.

Lois Rossi,

Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 94-18228 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-F