80 FR 16620 - Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Figs From Mexico Into the Continental United States
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 60 (March 30, 2015)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 60 (March 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 16620-16621 | |
| FR Document | 2015-07231 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 16620-16621] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-07231] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2014-0008] Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Figs From Mexico Into the Continental United States AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh figs from Mexico into the continental United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public to review and comment through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh figs from Mexico. DATES: Effective March 30, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Apgar Balady, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2240. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the regulations in ``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-71, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent plant pests from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. Section 319.56-4 contains a performance-based process for approving the importation of commodities that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of the designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that section. In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the Federal Register on June 12, 2014 (79 FR 33716-33717, Docket No. APHIS- 2014-0008), in which we announced the availability, for review and comment, of a pest list and risk management document (RMD) regarding the risks associated with the importation into the continental United States of fresh figs from Mexico. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ To view the notice, pest list, RMD, and comments we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS- 2014-0008. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- We solicited comments on the pest list and RMD for 60 days, ending on August 11, 2014. We received three comments by that date, from an exporter, an organization of State plant regulatory agencies, and a State department of agriculture. The comments are discussed below. The pest list identified six quarantine pests that are likely to follow the pathway of fresh figs imported from Mexico into the continental United States: Anastrepha fraterculus, A. ludens, A. serpentina, Ceratitis capitata, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and Nipaecoccus viridis. Two commenters acknowledged that the mitigation measures described in the RMD would likely be enough to mitigate the risks of all six quarantine pests, but requested that figs from Mexico not be distributed in Florida due to the risk of an accidental or incidental introduction of quarantine pests into the State. As described in the RMD, we are requiring figs from Mexico to be treated with irradiation to neutralize all plant pests of the class Insecta. Section 305.9 specifies the requirements for the irradiation of imported commodities. These requirements provide effective safeguards for articles irradiated either prior to or after arrival in the United States. In addition, each consignment is subject to inspection at the U.S. ports of entry and must be found free of all quarantine pests. We are confident that these requirements will adequately mitigate the risks associated with the importation of fresh figs from Mexico. One commenter asked what phytosanitary measures would apply to figs exported from fruit fly-free areas of Mexico and whether those treatments will negate the figs' organic status. Under Sec. 319.56-5, certain fruits and vegetables may be imported into the United States provided that the fruits or vegetables originate from an area that is free of a specific pest or pests. As such, figs produced in fruit fly-free areas of Mexico would be eligible for importation into the United States without treatment for fruit flies. However, the figs would be subject to the labeling, certification, and safeguarding requirements of Sec. 319.56-5(e), the general requirements in Sec. 319.56-3, and would have to be inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 319.56-4(c)(2)(ii), we are announcing our decision to authorize the importation of fresh figs from Mexico into the continental United States subject to the following phytosanitary measures:The figs may be imported into the continental United States in commercial consignments only. The figs must be irradiated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305 with a minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy. If irradiation treatment is applied outside the United States, each consignment of fruit must be jointly inspected by APHIS and the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Mexico and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate (PC) attesting that the fruit received the required irradiation treatment. The PC must also include an additional declaration stating that the consignment was inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. If irradiation treatment is applied upon arrival in the United States, each consignment of fruit must be inspected by the NPPO of Mexico prior to [[Page 16621]] departure and accompanied by a PC attesting that the fruit was inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. The commodity is subject to inspection at the U.S. port of entry. These conditions will be listed in the Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements database (available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/favir). In addition to these specific measures, figs from Mexico will be subject to the general requirements listed in Sec. 319.56-3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and vegetables. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of March 2015. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2015-07231 Filed 3-27-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
![16620 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 60 / Monday, March 30, 2015 / Notices
Health_in_the_World/docs/pdf/Disease_ through a previous notice, we have distributed in Florida due to the risk of
cards/AFRICAN_HORSE_ concluded that the application of one or an accidental or incidental introduction
SICKNESS.pdf) and the Iowa State more designated phytosanitary of quarantine pests into the State.
University: The Center for Food measures will be sufficient to mitigate As described in the RMD, we are
Security & Public Health Web site the risks of introducing or disseminating requiring figs from Mexico to be treated
(http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ plant pests or noxious weeds via the with irradiation to neutralize all plant
Factsheets/pdfs/african_horse_ importation of fresh figs from Mexico. pests of the class Insecta. Section 305.9
sickness.pdf). DATES: Effective March 30, 2015. specifies the requirements for the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. irradiation of imported commodities.
Compensation These requirements provide effective
George Apgar Balady, Senior Regulatory
Two commenters asked whether Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 safeguards for articles irradiated either
APHIS would be able to provide River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD prior to or after arrival in the United
compensation for horses that may need 20737–1231; (301) 851–2240. States. In addition, each consignment is
to be euthanized for AHS. subject to inspection at the U.S. ports of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
APHIS has the authority to provide entry and must be found free of all
regulations in ‘‘Subpart—Fruits and
indemnity in the case of an FAD quarantine pests. We are confident that
Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–1 through
outbreak. In the event of an FAD these requirements will adequately
319.56–71, referred to below as the
outbreak such as AHS, APHIS may mitigate the risks associated with the
regulations), the Animal and Plant
consider indemnity funding. Specific importation of fresh figs from Mexico.
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) One commenter asked what
decisions regarding indemnity would
prohibits or restricts the importation of phytosanitary measures would apply to
depend on the situation and available
fruits and vegetables into the United figs exported from fruit fly-free areas of
funding sources.
Based on the evaluation and the States from certain parts of the world to Mexico and whether those treatments
reasons given in this document in prevent plant pests from being will negate the figs’ organic status.
response to comments, we are introduced into or disseminated within Under § 319.56–5, certain fruits and
recognizing Saudi Arabia as free of AHS the United States. vegetables may be imported into the
Section 319.56–4 contains a United States provided that the fruits or
and removing it from the list of regions
performance-based process for vegetables originate from an area that is
considered affected with AHS which is
approving the importation of free of a specific pest or pests. As such,
found on the APHIS Web site at
commodities that, based on the findings figs produced in fruit fly-free areas of
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/
of a pest risk analysis, can be safely Mexico would be eligible for
aphis/ourfocus/importexport and
imported subject to one or more of the importation into the United States
following the link to ‘‘Animal or Animal
designated phytosanitary measures without treatment for fruit flies.
Product.’’ Copies of the list are also
listed in paragraph (b) of that section. However, the figs would be subject to
available via postal mail, fax, or email
In accordance with that process, we
from the person listed under FOR the labeling, certification, and
published a notice 1 in the Federal
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. safeguarding requirements of
Register on June 12, 2014 (79 FR 33716–
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301–8317; § 319.56–5(e), the general requirements
33717, Docket No. APHIS–2014–0008),
21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 in § 319.56–3, and would have to be
in which we announced the availability,
CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. inspected and found free of M. hirsutus
for review and comment, of a pest list
Done in Washington, DC, this 24th day of and N. viridis.
and risk management document (RMD) Therefore, in accordance with
March 2015. regarding the risks associated with the
Jere L. Dick,
§ 319.56–4(c)(2)(ii), we are announcing
importation into the continental United our decision to authorize the
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant States of fresh figs from Mexico.
Health Inspection Service. importation of fresh figs from Mexico
We solicited comments on the pest
into the continental United States
[FR Doc. 2015–07212 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 am] list and RMD for 60 days, ending on
subject to the following phytosanitary
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P August 11, 2014. We received three
measures:
comments by that date, from an • The figs may be imported into the
exporter, an organization of State plant continental United States in commercial
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE regulatory agencies, and a State consignments only.
department of agriculture. The • The figs must be irradiated in
Animal and Plant Health Inspection comments are discussed below.
Service accordance with 7 CFR part 305 with a
The pest list identified six quarantine minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy.
[Docket No. APHIS–2014–0008] pests that are likely to follow the • If irradiation treatment is applied
pathway of fresh figs imported from outside the United States, each
Notice of Decision To Authorize the Mexico into the continental United consignment of fruit must be jointly
Importation of Fresh Figs From Mexico States: Anastrepha fraterculus, A. inspected by APHIS and the national
Into the Continental United States ludens, A. serpentina, Ceratitis capitata, plant protection organization (NPPO) of
Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and Mexico and accompanied by a
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
Nipaecoccus viridis. phytosanitary certificate (PC) attesting
Inspection Service, USDA. Two commenters acknowledged that
ACTION: Notice. that the fruit received the required
the mitigation measures described in the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
irradiation treatment. The PC must also
SUMMARY: We are advising the public of RMD would likely be enough to mitigate include an additional declaration stating
our decision to authorize the the risks of all six quarantine pests, but that the consignment was inspected and
importation of fresh figs from Mexico requested that figs from Mexico not be found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis.
into the continental United States. 1 To view the notice, pest list, RMD, and
• If irradiation treatment is applied
Based on the findings of a pest risk comments we received, go to http://www.
upon arrival in the United States, each
analysis, which we made available to regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014- consignment of fruit must be inspected
the public to review and comment 0008. by the NPPO of Mexico prior to
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 60 / Monday, March 30, 2015 / Notices 16621
departure and accompanied by a PC 14th Street and Independence Avenue ACTION: Extension of approval of an
attesting that the fruit was inspected SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading information collection; comment
and found free of M. hirsutus and N. room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., request.
viridis. Monday through Friday, except
• The commodity is subject to holidays. To be sure someone is there to SUMMARY: In accordance with the
inspection at the U.S. port of entry. help you, please call (202) 799–7039 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
These conditions will be listed in the before coming. notice announces the Animal and Plant
Fruits and Vegetables Import Health Inspection Service’s intention to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Requirements database (available at request an extension of approval of an
Michael Tadle, Program Analyst, information collection associated with
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/favir). In Planning, Evaluation, and Decision
addition to these specific measures, figs the regulations for the importation of
Support, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road, small lots of seed into the United States.
from Mexico will be subject to the Unit 120, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301)
general requirements listed in § 319.56– DATES: We will consider all comments
851–3140; Michael.A.Tadle@
3 that are applicable to the importation aphis.usda.gov. that we receive on or before May 29,
of all fruits and vegetables. 2015.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
February 3, 2015, we published in the
7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR by either of the following methods:
2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Federal Register (80 FR 5729–5731, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047) a http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket
Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of notice 1 to announce that the U.S.
March 2015. Detail;D=APHIS-2015-0018.
Department of Agriculture was holding • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Michael C. Gregoire, a workshop on agricultural coexistence,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Send your comment to Docket No.
the objective of which was to advance APHIS–2015–0018, Regulatory Analysis
Health Inspection Service. an understanding of agricultural
[FR Doc. 2015–07231 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 am]
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
coexistence and discuss how to make 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P coexistence achievable for all Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
stakeholders. The 2-day workshop, Supporting documents and any
which was held on March 12–13, 2015, comments we receive on this docket
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE also provided an opportunity to learn may be viewed at http://www.
from stakeholders representing a wide regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
range of interests with respect to APHIS-2015-0018 or in our reading
Service
agricultural coexistence. room, which is located in Room 1141 of
[Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047] In that notice, we stated that the USDA South Building, 14th Street
comments on issues and proposals and Independence Avenue SW.,
U.S. Department of Agriculture discussed during the workshop would Washington, DC. Normal reading room
Stakeholder Workshop on Coexistence be accepted from March 13, 2015, hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through March 27, 2015. We are through Friday, except holidays. To be
ACTION: Notice; extension of comment
extending the comment period on sure someone is there to help you,
period.
Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047 for an please call (202) 799–7039 before
SUMMARY: We are extending the additional 14 days to April 10, 2015. coming.
comment period for issues and This action will allow interested
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
proposals discussed during the persons additional time to prepare and
submit comments. information on the regulations for the
workshop on agricultural coexistence importation of small lots of seed into the
that was held on March 12–13, 2015. Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of United States, contact Ms. Lydia Colón,
This action will allow interested March 2015. Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPP, RPM,
persons additional time to prepare and Michael C. Gregoire, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road,
submit comments. Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301)
DATES: The comment period for the Health Inspection Service. 851–2302. For copies of more detailed
notice published on February 3, 2015 [FR Doc. 2015–07210 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 a.m.] information on the information
(80 FR 5729) is extended. We will BILLING CODE 3410–34–P collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy,
consider all comments that we receive APHIS’ Information Collection
on or before April 10, 2015. Coordinator, at (301) 851–2727.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
by either of the following methods: Title: Importation of Small Lots of
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Seed.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Service
OMB Control Number: 0579–0285.
Detail;D=APHIS-2013-0047. Type of Request: Extension of
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: [Docket No. APHIS–2015–0018] approval of an information collection.
Send your comment to Docket No. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7
APHIS–2013–0047, Regulatory Analysis Notice of Request for Extension of U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the
Approval of an Information Collection;
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Importation of Small Lots of Seed importation, entry, or interstate
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health movement of plants, plant products, and
Any comments we receive may be Inspection Service, USDA. other articles to prevent the
viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/# introduction of plant pests into the
!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0047 or in 1 To view the workshop notice and comments, go United States or their dissemination
our reading room, which is located in to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= within the United States. The
room 1141 of the USDA South Building, APHIS-2013-0047. regulations contained in ‘‘Subpart—
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:32:34
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:32:34
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Effective March 30, 2015. | |
| Contact | Mr. George Apgar Balady, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2240. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 16620 |
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