

A tolerance ( i.e., the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) is issued under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) FFDCA allows EPA to establish an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance if EPA determines with reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. The first step in this expansion process has taken place, with EPA issuing a tolerance exemption on February 23, 2021, as announced in the Federal Register. Allowable application methods and application rates will not change. In the near future, the current label for oxalic acid ( i.e., API-Bioxal™) use in bee colonies to control varroa mites will be amended (expanded), as described herein, to allow for the application of oxalic acid (API-Bioxal™) year-round, including when honey supers are in place. API-Bioxal™ (EPA Registration Number 9291) is currently the only legally registered oxalic acid dihydrate product in the United States that can be used to treat varroa mites. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and USDA partner the Interregional Research Project 4 (IR-4)-with support from the University of Georgia and Auburn University-have worked to expand the current oxalic acid dihydrate label (EPA Registration Number 91266-1) for the control of Varroa mites in managed honey bee colonies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S.

in 1987 and have become a major factor affecting honey bee health and survival, and there is a critical need for effective Varroa control tools that can be used in an integrated pest management approach. Varroa mites were introduced into the U.S. for in-hive use is currently only through the registered product API-Bioxal™ (of which oxalic acid is the active ingredient). With this it is important for beekeepers to understand that the registration and legal use of oxalic acid in the U.S. Frequently asked questions by stakeholders include when the product can be legally applied, whether this is an exemption from EPA registration, and how existing stock(s) of oxalic acid can be used moving forward. The in-hive use of oxalic acid to control Varroa mites ( Varroa destructor) is currently a USDA-held registration.

A tolerance is the legal limit for a chemical residue in or on a food.

USDA and EPA are receiving questions from stakeholders regarding a recent tolerance exemption for oxalic acid, a pesticide used to control parasitic mites of honey bees ( Apis mellifera). Information on the Upcoming Amendment to the Varroacide, Oxalic Acid (API-Bioxal™ )
