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This action is one in a series of planned crop group updates. EPAprepared an analysis of the potential costs and benefits related to itspesticide tolerance crop grouping regulations for[[Page 76288]]the first crop grouping final rule, published December 7, 2007 (72 FR69150). This analysis is contained in ``Economic Analysis of theExpansion of the Crop Grouping Program.'' A copy of the analysis isavailable in the docket and is briefly summarized here.This is a burden-reducing regulation. Crop grouping has saved moneyby allowing the results of pesticide exposure studies for one crop tobe applied to other, similar crops. This regulation exploits thisopportunity for saving money by expanding certain existing crop groupsand adding one new crop group. Crop groupings will assist in makingavailable lower risk pesticides for minor crops both domestically andin countries that export food to the U.S. Minor crop and specialty cropproducers will benefit because lower registration costs will encouragepesticide manufacturers to register more pesticides for use on minorand/or specialty crops, providing these growers with additional lowerriskpesticide options. The increased coverage of tolerances toimported commodities may result in a larger supply of imported anddomestically produced specialty produce at potentially lower costs andtreated with lower-risk pesticides which also benefit consumers. EPAbelieves that data from representative crops will not underestimate thepublic exposure to pesticide residues through the consumption oftreated crops. EPA and the Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), will more efficiently use resources as a result of the rule. EPAwill conserve resources if, as expected, new or expanded crop groupsresult in fewer emergency pesticide use requests from specialty cropgrowers. Further, new and expanded crop groups will likely reduce thenumber of separate risk assessments and tolerance rulemakings that EPAwill have to conduct. Further benefits come from internationalharmonization of crop classification and nomenclature, harmonizedcommodity import and export standards and increased potential forresource sharing between EPA and pesticide regulatory agencies in othercountries. Revisions to the crop grouping program will result in noappreciable costs or negative impacts to consumers, minor cropproducers, specialty crop producers, pesticide registrants, theenvironment, or human health. No crop group tolerance for a pesticidecan be established unless EPA determines that it is safe.An example of the benefits of crop groupings can be shown throughthe impact of changes to Crop Group 3 in a prior rulemaking (72 FR69150, December 7, 2007). That rulemaking expanded Crop Group 3, BulbVegetables from 7 to 25 crops, an increase of 18 from the original cropgroup. Prior to the expansion of the subgroup, adding tolerances forthe 18 new crops would have required at least 18 field trials at a costof approximately $5.4 million (assuming $300,000 per field trial),whereas after promulgation of the expanded group these 18 new cropscould obtain coverage under a Crop Group 3-07 tolerance with no fieldtrials in addition to those required on the representative commodities(which did not change with the expansion of the group). Fewer fieldtrials means a greater likelihood that these commodities will obtaintolerance coverage under the FFDCA, aiding growers, and theadministrative costs of both the IR-4 testing process and the EPAreview process will be reduced.No comments were received on the costs or burdens. The EconomicAnalysis was not revised.B. Paperwork Reduction ActThis rule does not contain any new information collectionrequirements that would need approval by OMB under the provisions ofthe Paper Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. However, the ruleis expected to reduce mandatory paperwork due to a reduction inrequired studies. The rule will have the effect of reducing the numberof residue chemistry studies because fewer representative crops wouldneed to be tested under a crop grouping scheme, than would otherwise berequired.C. Regulatory Flexibility ActPursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., the Agency hereby certifies that this rule willnot have a significant adverse economic impact on a substantial numberof small entities. This rule does not have any direct adverse impactson small businesses, small non-profit organizations, or small localgovernments.For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on smallentities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business according tothe small business size standards established by the Small BusinessAdministration (SBA); (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is agovernment of a city, county, town, school district or special districtwith a population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organizationthat is any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned andoperated and is not dominant in its field.