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U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture Committee to Advise
on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT) National Advisory Council for Environmental
Policy & Technology
MISSION STATEMENT
May 9, 2000
1. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY
This Mission Statement establishes the Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 2 Section 9(c). The CARAT is being established as a subcommittee under the auspices of EPA's National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology. The purpose of CARAT is to provide advice and counsel to the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Agriculture regarding strategic approaches for pest management planning and tolerance reassessment for pesticides as required by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. CARAT is preceded by the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee and will be guided by the principles set forth by the Vice President for EPA and USDA to work together to ensure smooth implementation of FQPA through use of sound science, consultation with stakeholders, increased transparency and reasonable transition for agriculture. It is determined that CARAT is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Agency by law.
2. OBJECTIVES
CARAT provides independent advice and counsel to the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Agriculture on issues such as:
- identifying opportunities for reasonable transition and strategic pest management planning for agriculture and public health uses of pesticides;
- providing advice to promote sound science and transparency in the scientific risk assessments necessary to implement the Food Quality Protection Act, including tolerance reassessment and pesticide reregistration;
- assuring appropriate priority is given to risk management strategies for the pesticides that are most likely to lead to exposures to children;
- ensuring acceptable pesticide safety while developing strategic approaches for critical pest control needs;
- recommending ways to increase the availability of safer pest management strategies, including chemical and non-chemical alternatives, for growers and other users;
- developing ways to increase the pace of registration decisions for new and safer pesticides; and
- fostering transparency and public participation in decision making.
3. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE ACTIVITY
The Committee will provide a forum for a diverse group of individuals representing a broad range of interests and backgrounds from across the country to consult with and make recommendations to the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to an approach for pest management strategic planning. The Committee will analyze issues, review and compile information, make recommendations, compile reports, and undertake other activities necessary to meet its responsibilities.
4. COMPOSITION
CARAT shall be composed of 25 members approved by the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Members shall be selected based on their relevant experience and diversity of perspectives on pesticide/food safety issues and will be appointed for two years. Committee members shall be appointed with balanced representation from the following sectors: environmental/public interest groups; pesticide industry and trade associations; pesticide user, grower, processor and commodity organizations; public health organizations, including children's health representatives; Federal agencies; State, local and tribal governments; academia; consumers and the public. The Deputy Administrator of EPA and the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture will serve as Co-Chairs.
5. MEETINGS
The Committee will hold two or three meetings per year. A regular employee of EPA will act as the Designated Federal Officer who will be present or represented at all meetings and is authorized to adjourn any such meetings whenever the official determines it to be in the public interest. All Committee meetings will be called, announced, and held in accordance with FACA and NACEPT, which requires open meetings, and an opportunity for interested persons to file comments before or after meetings, or to make statements during the public meetings to the extent time permits. Each meeting shall be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the Designated Federal Officer. Budgetary support for CARAT is provided by EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. The estimated operating costs for two to three meetings per year totals approximately $200,000 and 2.0 work years of staff support.