Federal Register #EPAHQOPP20250047

EPA Regulatory Exemption for Bt Protein and Polymer in Corn Agriculture

This EPA final rule concerns regulatory exemptions for certain substances used in corn agriculture: - Government Buyer: - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Office of Pesticide Programs, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division - OEMs and Vendors: - Syngenta Seeds, LLC (petitioner for the exemption) - Products/Services Requested: - Bacillus thuringiensis eCry1Gb.1Ig protein - Used as a plant-incorporated protectant in field corn, sweet corn, and popcorn - No procurement of product or service; regulatory exemption only - 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, telomer with 1-dodecanethiol, and 2-methyloxirane polymer with oxirane monoether with 1,2-propanediol mono(2-methyl-2-propenoate) - CAS Reg. No 1186225217 - Used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Exemption from tolerance requirements for residues of the specified Bt protein in corn commodities - EPA safety assessment found no harm to humans, including infants and children - No analytical enforcement method required due to the exemption - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action, not a purchasing opportunity

Description

This final rule by the Environmental Protection Agency establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus thuringiensis eCry1Gb.1Ig protein in or on corn commodities (field, sweet, and pop corn) when used as a plant-incorporated protectant. The exemption removes the need to set a maximum permissible residue level for this protein. The rule is effective August 7, 2026, with objections and hearing requests due by October 6, 2026. The regulation is based on a safety assessment concluding no harm to humans, including infants and children, from aggregate exposure to the protein.

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