Glyphosate Oxidoreductase and the Genetic Material Necessary for Its Production in All Plants; Exemption From Tolerance Requirement On All Raw Agricultural Commodities

This document establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the plant-pesticide inert ingredients glyphosate oxidoreductase (GOX) and the genetic material necessary for its production in all plants when used as plant-pesticides in or on all raw agricultural commodities (RACs). Monsanto Company submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of l996 (FQPA) requesting the exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of this plant-pesticides in or on all RACS. DATES: This regulation is effective on October 8, 1997. Written objections and requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before December 8, 1997. ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the docket control number OPP-300552, may be submitted to: Hearing Clerk (1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Fees accompanying objections and hearing requests shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees), P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. A copy of any objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk should be identified by the docket control number OPP-300552 and submitted to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring a copy of objections and hearing requests to: Rm. 1132, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk may also be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: