Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment; Extension of Comment Period

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Public Information & Records Integrity Branch (7502C) Office of Pesticide Programs 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460-0001 Via E-Docket ATTN: DOCKET ID NUMBER OPP-2004-0049 STANDARDS FOR PESTICIDE CONTAINERS AND CONTAINMENT; PROPOSED RULES; PARTIAL REOPENING OF COMMENT PERIOD Representing a substantial number of the nation?s agricultural producers, the undersigned organizations submit the following brief comments on the partial reopening of proposed standards for pesticide containers and containment. We believe that the current interim regulation is appropriate and do not support making substantive changes at this time. We are not aware of circumstances justifying regulatory changes and have not been engaged by other stakeholders in sufficient dialogue to warrant modification of the current standards. Until stakeholder dialogue occurs, we believe adjustments to container and containment standards are most appropriately dealt with at the state level pursuant to the current federal guidelines. While we do not support changes to the existing interim rule at this time, we welcome future discussions on this issue with Agency and other stakeholders. Thank you for consideration of our comments - please contact the undersigned organizations if you have additional questions about our comments. Sincerely, American Farm Bureau Federation National Association of Wheat Growers National Corn Growers Association National Cotton Council cc:Jim Jones, EPA Adam Sharp, EPA John Scholl, EPA Burleson Smith, USDA