EPA Issues Final Rule on Tolerances for Fungicide Ametoctradin

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide ametoctradin in several commodities. The regulations, effective on publication in the Federal Register due Wednesday, affects agricultural producers and food and pesticide manufacturers, the agency said. In making tolerance decisions, the EPA is seeking to harmonize U.S. rules with international standards wherever possible, it said. The EPA considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, it said. The Codex Alimentarius is a joint U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the U.S. is a party, the EPA said.