The EPA is seeking public comment on the document Statistical Basis of the NAFTA Method for Calculating Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits from Field Trial Data, which is available at
http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/nafta/docs/nafta_mrls-e.pdf.
The document provides additional technical and explanatory material for a standard operating procedure (SOP) that was previously released by Canada's PMRA for public comment in September 2005 (see
http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/pro/pro2005-04-e.pdf).
It is intended for use by residue chemistry reviewers in the United States and Canada to ensure that the same or similar residue chemistry data sets will result in the same or similar recommendation for maximum residue limit (MRL) levels for pesticide residues on food and feed commodities by each agency. The document was prepared by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) MRL Harmonization Working Group (a group comprising United States and Canadian governments, created to develop a coordinated pesticides regulatory framework among NAFTA partners). The goal for this method is to minimize trade barriers for pesticide-treated commodities between the United States and Canada. EPA and PMRA will respond jointly to comments.
The comment period for this document will last for 30 days, beginning on August 1, 2007, and closing on August 31, 2007. This document and the September 2005 SOP will also be available at
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main. The Federal Register notice announcing the availability of this document for public comment is available at
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPAFR-CONTENTS/2007/August/Day-01/contents.htm