Thymol and Eucalyptus Oil; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment

Résumé

EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources to use the pesticide thymol and eucalyptus oil (CAS numbers 89-83-8 and 8000-48-4, respectively) to treat up to 13,000 hives of honey and beeswax to control Varroa mite. The Applicant proposes the use of the new chemical, eucalyptus oil which has not been registered by EPA and the Applicant proposes a first food use of thymol. EPA is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption.