EPA Extends Temporary Tolerance for Insecticide TCVP in Meat & Poultry

The Environmental Protection Agency is extending until Aug. 18 its temporary tolerances for the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) in several meat and poultry products, according to a Federal Register notice set for publication March 13. EPA proposed the extension March 6 (see 13030605), and set an extremely short comment period that expires March 12, but isn't waiting for the comment period to expire to begin the process of publication of it's final rule. The temporary tolerances were set to expire March 18. EPA is extending the tolerances on its own initiative, to give itself more time to review information before making a final decision on tolerances for the insecticide. Requests for a hearing on the extension are due by May 13.