80_FR_8593 80 FR 8561 - Mexican Hass Avocado Import Program

80 FR 8561 - Mexican Hass Avocado Import Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 32 (February 18, 2015)

Page Range8561-8564
FR Document2015-03289

Commercial consignments of Hass avocado fruit are currently authorized entry into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico from the Mexican State of Michoac[aacute]n under a systems approach to mitigate against quarantine pests of concern. We are proposing to amend the regulations to allow the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico from all of Mexico, provided individual Mexican States meet the requirements set out in the regulations and the operational workplan. Initially, this action would only apply to the Mexican State of Jalisco. With the exception of a clarification of the language concerning when sealed, insect-proof containers would be required to be used in shipping and the removal of mandatory fruit cutting at land and maritime borders, the current systems approach would not change. That systems approach, which includes requirements for orchard certification, limited production area, trace back labeling, pre- harvest orchard surveys, orchard sanitation, post-harvest safeguards, fruit cutting and inspection at the packinghouse, port-of-arrival inspection, and clearance activities, would then be required for importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from all approved areas of Mexico. The fruit would also be required to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of Mexico with an additional declaration stating that the consignment was produced in accordance with the systems approach described in the operational workplan. This action would allow for the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Mexico while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8561-8564]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03289]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 8561]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 319

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0088]
RIN 0579-AE05


Mexican Hass Avocado Import Program

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Commercial consignments of Hass avocado fruit are currently 
authorized entry into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto 
Rico from the Mexican State of Michoac[aacute]n under a systems 
approach to mitigate against quarantine pests of concern. We are 
proposing to amend the regulations to allow the importation of fresh 
Hass avocado fruit into the continental United States, Hawaii, and 
Puerto Rico from all of Mexico, provided individual Mexican States meet 
the requirements set out in the regulations and the operational 
workplan. Initially, this action would only apply to the Mexican State 
of Jalisco. With the exception of a clarification of the language 
concerning when sealed, insect-proof containers would be required to be 
used in shipping and the removal of mandatory fruit cutting at land and 
maritime borders, the current systems approach would not change. That 
systems approach, which includes requirements for orchard 
certification, limited production area, trace back labeling, pre-
harvest orchard surveys, orchard sanitation, post-harvest safeguards, 
fruit cutting and inspection at the packinghouse, port-of-arrival 
inspection, and clearance activities, would then be required for 
importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from all approved areas of 
Mexico. The fruit would also be required to be imported in commercial 
consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by 
the national plant protection organization of Mexico with an additional 
declaration stating that the consignment was produced in accordance 
with the systems approach described in the operational workplan. This 
action would allow for the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from 
Mexico while continuing to provide protection against the introduction 
of plant pests into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto 
Rico.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 
20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0088.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2014-0088, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-
0088 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David B. Lamb, Senior Regulatory 
Policy Specialist, RPM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 
319.56 through 319.56-71), 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 and spread within the 
United States. The requirements for importing fresh Hass avocado fruit 
into the United States from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, are described in 
Sec.  319.56-30. Those requirements include pest surveys and pest risk-
reducing practices, treatment, packinghouse procedures, inspection, and 
shipping procedures.
    The national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Mexico has 
requested that APHIS amend the regulations in order to allow Hass 
avocados to be imported from all of Mexico into the continental United 
States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. As part of our evaluation of Mexico's 
request, we prepared a pest risk assessment (PRA), ``Importation of 
Fresh Fruit of Avocado (Persea americana Mill. var. `Hass') from Mexico 
into the Continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, A 
Qualitative, Pathway-Initiated Pest Risk Assessment'' (January 2014), 
which evaluated the risk of permitting the importation of Mexican Hass 
avocados from all of Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, 
and Puerto Rico.
    We also prepared a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) to 
determine what phytosanitary measures should be applied to mitigate the 
pest risk associated with the importation of Hass avocados from all of 
Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. 
Copies of the PRA and CIED may be obtained from the person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or viewed on the Regulations.gov Web 
site (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and information 
on the location and hours of the reading room).
    In the CIED, entitled, ``Expansion of areas allowed to import Fresh 
Commercial Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. Var. `Hass') from 
Mexico into the Continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico,'' 
(June 2014), we determined that because the systems approach currently 
in place is successful in mitigating the risks of introducing 
quarantine pests associated with the importation of fresh Hass avocado 
fruit from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, into the continental United 
States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, the current systems approach will also 
adequately mitigate the risks of introducing quarantine pests from the 
other Mexican States. We concluded that the phytosanitary risks for 
insect pests associated with the importation of Hass avocados from all 
of Mexico into the continental United States, Hawaii, and

[[Page 8562]]

Puerto Rico would be effectively mitigated using nearly the same 
systems approach as is currently used for the importation of Hass 
avocados from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, as set forth in Sec.  319.56-
30. We are proposing to make some minor changes to the systems 
approach. Those proposed changes are discussed below.
    Based on the findings of the CIED and the PRA, we are proposing to 
amend Sec.  319.56-30 to allow commercial shipments of Hass avocados 
from all growing areas of Mexico to be imported into the continental 
United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
    The first additional Mexican State that would be expected to become 
eligible to export Hass avocados under this proposed expansion would be 
the State of Jalisco. Currently, only Jalisco is prepared to meet the 
requirements set out in the regulations for eligibility to ship fresh 
Hass avocado fruit into the continental United States, Hawaii, and 
Puerto Rico. Specifically, these requirements are found in Sec.  
319.56-30(c) and include orchard certification, traceback labeling, 
pre-harvest orchard surveys, orchard sanitation, post-harvest 
safeguards, and fruit cutting and inspection at the packinghouse. This 
proposed rule would allow for future importation of fresh Hass avocados 
from other Mexican States provided those States meet the APHIS 
requirements contained in the regulations. Prior to shipments beginning 
from any future States, APHIS would work with the NPPO of Mexico to 
ensure that they meet the requirements of Sec.  319.56-30(c). Any 
additions to the review process for approving new States will be added 
to the operational workplan as mutually negotiated and agreed on 
between APHIS and the NPPO of Mexico.

Pests of Concern

    Specific pests of concern associated with fresh avocado fruit for 
which mitigations are required are listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), 
(c)(2)(i), and (e) of Sec.  319.56-30. They are:
     Conotrachelus aguacatae, a small avocado seed weevil;
     Conotrachelus perseae, a small avocado seed weevil;
     Copturus aguacatae, avocado stem weevil;
     Heilipus lauri, large avocado seed weevil; and
     Stenoma catenifer, avocado seed moth.
    We are proposing to remove references to these specific pests from 
the regulations. The pest list would instead be maintained in the 
operational workplan provided to APHIS for approval by the NPPO of 
Mexico. An operational workplan is an agreement between APHIS' Plant 
Protection and Quarantine program, officials of the NPPO of a foreign 
government, and, when necessary, foreign commercial entities, that 
specifies in detail the phytosanitary measures that will comply with 
our regulations governing the import or export of a specific commodity. 
Operational workplans apply only to the signatory parties and establish 
detailed procedures and guidance for the day-to-day operations of 
specific import/export programs. Operational workplans also establish 
how specific phytosanitary issues are dealt with in the exporting 
country and make clear who is responsible for dealing with those 
issues. The existing systems approach for importing fresh Hass avocado 
fruit into the United States from Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, currently 
requires that an annual workplan be developed. This change would allow 
APHIS flexibility and responsiveness in adding or removing pests of 
concern from the list of actionable pests. (The current regulations 
refer to a ``bilateral work plan.'' For the sake of consistency with 
our other regulations, we would change the term to ``operational 
workplan'' in this rulemaking.)
    Additionally, based on the findings of the PRA, we would add eight 
pests to the list of pests of concern to be maintained in the 
operational workplan. Of those, we would require field and packinghouse 
surveys for Cryptaspasma perseana, a tortricid moth, and Conotrachelus 
serpentinus, a weevil, but not for the other six pests listed below, 
which were determined to pose a medium or low chance of following the 
importation pathway of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Mexico. These 
pests, which would be addressed through port of entry inspection, are:
     Avocado sunblotch viroid;
     Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), pink hibiscus mealybug;
     Pseudophilothrips perseae (Watson), a thrips;
     Scirtothrips aceri (Moulton), a thrips;
     Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara, a thrips; and
     Sphaceloma perseae Jenkins, avocado scab.
    We have determined that the existing mitigations would be 
sufficient to prevent these six pests from following the pathway of 
importation, in particular, packinghouse culling, restriction of 
shipments to commercial consignments only, and NPPO inspection. The six 
pests listed above produce symptoms on infested fruit that are 
macroscopic in nature and thus easily detectable upon surface 
inspection. Further, commercially produced fruit are grown and packed 
to meet quality standards that are much higher than non-commercially 
produced fruit and are therefore less likely to serve as hosts to pests 
of phytosanitary concern. Interceptions of pests in commercial 
shipments of fruit versus passenger baggage indicate commercially 
produced fruit represents a much lower risk of carrying pests.

Fruit Covering Requirements

    In Sec.  319.56-30, paragraph (c)(3)(vii) currently references the 
lid, insect-proof mesh, or other material required to be placed over 
the avocados prior to leaving the packinghouse to protect against fruit 
fly infestation. Paragraph (c)(3)(viii) describes refrigerated transit 
requirements for the avocado fruit within Mexico. Recently, a maritime 
shipment of fresh avocado fruit from Mexico arrived in Port Manatee, 
FL, for the first time. The avocados were in uncovered trays inside 
sealed refrigerated containers, and the shipment was delayed because 
the avocados were not covered with a lid, insect-proof mesh, or other 
material. As a result of this incident, we have examined the 
requirements in paragraphs (c)(3)(vii) and (c)(3)(viii) and determined 
that we should clarify our intentions regarding whether those lids, 
insect-proof mesh, or other material need to remain in place throughout 
the entire shipping process.
    Since the lids, insect-proof mesh, or other material are intended 
to provide phytosanitary protection against fruit flies, and transport 
in refrigerated trucks or containers provides the same protection, we 
are proposing to amend the regulations in order to stipulate that those 
coverings would not be required when the avocado fruit is inside a 
refrigerated container or truck. Such coverings would therefore not be 
required to be applied at the packinghouse, as the avocados are 
transferred directly from inside the packinghouse into refrigerated 
containers or trucks, and all transit within Mexico is required to be 
completed in these containers or trucks. If the avocado fruit is 
transferred to a non-refrigerated container at an air or maritime port 
in Mexico for shipment to the United States, a covering would have to 
be applied.

Port of Entry Fruit Cutting

    Currently, Hass avocado fruit are required to be biometrically 
sampled and cut in the field, at the packinghouse, and by an inspector 
at the port of first entry into the United

[[Page 8563]]

States. We received a request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
to amend the port of entry requirement, which is found in Sec.  319.56-
30(f), in order to allow the fruit to be cut at the discretion of the 
inspector. Given the lack of quarantine pest interceptions in shipments 
of avocado fruit from Mexico at the ports of first entry for the period 
from 1997 to 2014, we propose to amend the requirement. This will allow 
for operational flexibility. The other cutting and sampling 
requirements would remain unchanged.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. 
The proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed 
by the Office of Management and Budget.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we have performed an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis, which is summarized below, regarding 
the economic effects of this proposed rule on small entities. Copies of 
the full analysis are available by contacting the person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
    Based on the information we have, there is no reason to conclude 
that adoption of this proposed rule would result in any significant 
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. However, we 
do not currently have all of the data necessary for a comprehensive 
analysis of the effects of this proposed rule on small entities. 
Therefore, we are inviting comments on potential effects. In 
particular, we are interested in determining the number and kind of 
small entities that may incur benefits or costs from the implementation 
of this proposed rule.
    Mexican officials have requested that additional States in Mexico 
be allowed to export Hass avocados to the United States under the same 
systems approach that was implemented for Michoac[aacute]n, Mexico, and 
has successfully kept pest infestations associated with imported 
avocados out of the United States. U.S. imports of avocado from Mexico 
have increased significantly over the years, from 311 million pounds in 
2003 to over 1.1 billion pounds in 2013. U.S. avocado production over 
the 10 years from the 2002/03 season through the 2011/12 season 
averaged 423 million pounds per year, of which California accounted for 
87.5 percent or over 375 million pounds. Nearly all of California's 
production is of the Hass variety.
    While APHIS does not have information on the size distribution of 
U.S. avocado producers, according to the Census of Agriculture, there 
were a total of 93,020 fruit and tree nut farms in the United States in 
2012. The average value of agricultural products sold by these farms 
was less than $274,000, which is well below the SBA's small-entity 
standard of $750,000. It is reasonable to assume that most avocado 
farms qualify as small entities. Between 2002 and 2012, the number of 
avocado operations in California grew by approximately 17 percent, from 
4,801 to 5,602 operations.
    Avocados produced in the State of Jalisco, north of 
Michoac[aacute]n, are expected to be the first that would be exported 
to the United States under this rule. These imports would help meet the 
increasing year-round U.S. demand for avocados. Per capita avocado 
consumption in the United States grew from 1.1 pounds in 1989 to 4.5 
pounds in 2011. A growing Hispanic population and greater awareness of 
the avocado's health benefits have helped to spur demand.
    In 2012, Jalisco produced about 90 million pounds of Hass avocados. 
Given required phytosanitary safeguards, only a fraction of this 
quantity is expected to qualify for importation by the United States. 
But even if all of Jalisco's avocado production were to meet the 
requirements for U.S. entry, the total quantity would be equivalent to 
less than 8 percent of U.S. Hass avocado imports in 2013 of over 1.2 
billion pounds. The proposed rule is therefore not expected to have a 
large impact on the U.S. avocado market or California producers because 
of potential imports solely from the Mexican State of Jalisco. Any 
market effects are as likely to be borne by other foreign suppliers, 
such as Chile and Peru, as by U.S. producers.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule would allow fresh Hass avocado fruit to be 
imported into the United States from all of Mexico. If this proposed 
rule is adopted, State and local laws and regulations regarding fresh 
Hass avocado fruit imported under this rule would be preempted while 
the fruit is in foreign commerce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are 
generally imported for immediate distribution and sale to the consuming 
public and would remain in foreign commerce until sold to the ultimate 
consumer. The question of when foreign commerce ceases in other cases 
must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. If this proposed rule is 
adopted, no retroactive effect will be given to this rule, and this 
rule will not require administrative proceedings before parties may 
file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule contains no new information collection or 
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 319

    Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Imports, Logs, Nursery stock, Plant 
diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rice, Vegetables.

    Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR part 319 as follows:

PART 319--FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 319 continues to read as follows:

    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.

0
2. Section 319.56-30 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising the section heading.
0
b. In the introductory paragraph, by removing the words ``Michoacan, 
Mexico,'' and adding the word ``Mexico'' in their place.
0
c. By revising paragraph (c) introductory text.
0
d. In paragraph (c)(1)(i), by removing the words ``bilateral work 
plan'' and adding the words ``operational workplan'' in their place.
0
e. In paragraph (c)(1)(ii), by removing the words ``the large avocado 
seed weevil Heilipus lauri, the avocado seed moth Stenoma catenifer, 
and the small avocado seed weevils Conotrachelus aguacatae and C. 
perseae'' and adding the words ``avocado pests listed in the 
operational workplan'' in their place.
0
f. In paragraph (c)(2) introductory text, by removing the words 
``annual work plan'' and adding the words ``operational workplan'' in 
their place.
0
g. In paragraph (c)(2)(i), by removing the words ``the avocado stem 
weevil Copturus aguacatae'' and adding the words ``avocado pests listed 
in the operational workplan'' in their place.
0
h. In paragraph (c)(3) introductory text, by removing the words 
``annual work plan'' and adding the words ``operational workplan'' in 
their place.
0
i. By revising paragraph (c)(3)(vii).
0
j. In paragraph (c)(3)(viii), by adding two sentences at the end of the 
paragraph.
0
k. In paragraph (e), by removing the words ``Heilipus lauri, 
Conotrachelus

[[Page 8564]]

aguacatae, C. perseae, Copturus aguacatae, or Stenoma catenifer'' and 
adding the words ``listed in the operational workplan'' in their place.
0
l. In paragraph (f), by removing the word ``will'' and adding the word 
``may'' in its place.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  319.56-30  Hass avocados from Mexico.

* * * * *
    (c) Safeguards in Mexico. The avocados must have been grown in an 
orchard located in a municipality that meets the requirements of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The orchard in which the avocados are 
grown must meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this section. 
The avocados must be packed for export to the United States in a 
packinghouse that meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section. The Mexican national plant protection organization (NPPO) must 
provide an annual operational workplan to APHIS that details the 
activities that the Mexican NPPO will, subject to APHIS' approval of 
the workplan, carry out to meet the requirements of this section; APHIS 
will be directly involved with the Mexican NPPO in the monitoring and 
supervision of those activities. The personnel conducting the trapping 
and pest surveys must be hired, trained, and supervised by the Mexican 
NPPO or by the State delegate of the Mexican NPPO.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (vii) The avocados must be packed in clean, new boxes or bulk 
shipping bins, or in clean plastic reusable crates. The boxes, bins, or 
crates must be clearly marked with the identity of the grower, 
packinghouse, and exporter.
    (viii) * * * If, at the port of export for consignments shipped by 
air or sea, the packed avocados are transferred into a non-refrigerated 
container, the boxes, bins, or crates must be covered with a lid, 
insect-proof mesh, or other material to protect the avocados from 
fruit-fly infestation prior to leaving the packinghouse. Those 
safeguards must be intact at the time the consignment arrives in the 
United States.
* * * * *

    Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of February 2015.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03289 Filed 2-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                    8561

                                                    Proposed Rules                                                                                                Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                  Vol. 80, No. 32

                                                                                                                                                                  Wednesday, February 18, 2015



                                                    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    certificate issued by the national plant              Mexico, are described in § 319.56–30.
                                                    contains notices to the public of the proposed          protection organization of Mexico with                Those requirements include pest
                                                    issuance of rules and regulations. The                  an additional declaration stating that the            surveys and pest risk-reducing
                                                    purpose of these notices is to give interested          consignment was produced in                           practices, treatment, packinghouse
                                                    persons an opportunity to participate in the            accordance with the systems approach                  procedures, inspection, and shipping
                                                    rule making prior to the adoption of the final
                                                    rules.
                                                                                                            described in the operational workplan.                procedures.
                                                                                                            This action would allow for the                          The national plant protection
                                                                                                            importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit               organization (NPPO) of Mexico has
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               from Mexico while continuing to                       requested that APHIS amend the
                                                                                                            provide protection against the                        regulations in order to allow Hass
                                                    Animal and Plant Health Inspection                      introduction of plant pests into the                  avocados to be imported from all of
                                                    Service                                                 continental United States, Hawaii, and                Mexico into the continental United
                                                                                                            Puerto Rico.                                          States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. As part
                                                    7 CFR Part 319                                          DATES: We will consider all comments                  of our evaluation of Mexico’s request,
                                                    [Docket No. APHIS–2014–0088]                            that we receive on or before April 20,                we prepared a pest risk assessment
                                                                                                            2015.                                                 (PRA), ‘‘Importation of Fresh Fruit of
                                                    RIN 0579–AE05                                                                                                 Avocado (Persea americana Mill. var.
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES:   You may submit comments                  ‘Hass’) from Mexico into the Continental
                                                    Mexican Hass Avocado Import                             by either of the following methods:                   United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico,
                                                    Program                                                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                 A Qualitative, Pathway-Initiated Pest
                                                                                                            http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket                   Risk Assessment’’ (January 2014), which
                                                    AGENCY:  Animal and Plant Health                        Detail;D=APHIS-2014-0088.
                                                    Inspection Service, USDA.                                                                                     evaluated the risk of permitting the
                                                                                                              • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
                                                    ACTION: Proposed rule.                                                                                        importation of Mexican Hass avocados
                                                                                                            Send your comment to Docket No.
                                                                                                                                                                  from all of Mexico into the continental
                                                                                                            APHIS–2014–0088, Regulatory Analysis
                                                    SUMMARY:    Commercial consignments of                                                                        United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
                                                                                                            and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
                                                    Hass avocado fruit are currently                                                                                 We also prepared a commodity import
                                                                                                            3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,
                                                    authorized entry into the continental                                                                         evaluation document (CIED) to
                                                                                                            Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
                                                    United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico                                                                        determine what phytosanitary measures
                                                                                                              Supporting documents and any
                                                    from the Mexican State of Michoacán                                                                          should be applied to mitigate the pest
                                                                                                            comments we receive on this docket
                                                    under a systems approach to mitigate                                                                          risk associated with the importation of
                                                                                                            may be viewed at http://
                                                    against quarantine pests of concern. We                                                                       Hass avocados from all of Mexico into
                                                                                                            www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
                                                    are proposing to amend the regulations                                                                        the continental United States, Hawaii,
                                                                                                            APHIS-2014-0088 or in our reading
                                                    to allow the importation of fresh Hass                                                                        and Puerto Rico. Copies of the PRA and
                                                                                                            room, which is located in room 1141 of
                                                    avocado fruit into the continental                                                                            CIED may be obtained from the person
                                                                                                            the USDA South Building, 14th Street
                                                    United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico                                                                        listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                                                                            and Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                    from all of Mexico, provided individual                                                                       CONTACT or viewed on the
                                                                                                            Washington, DC. Normal reading room
                                                    Mexican States meet the requirements                                                                          Regulations.gov Web site (see
                                                                                                            hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
                                                    set out in the regulations and the                                                                            ADDRESSES above for a link to
                                                                                                            through Friday, except holidays. To be
                                                    operational workplan. Initially, this                                                                         Regulations.gov and information on the
                                                                                                            sure someone is there to help you,
                                                    action would only apply to the Mexican                                                                        location and hours of the reading room).
                                                                                                            please call (202) 799–7039 before
                                                    State of Jalisco. With the exception of a                                                                        In the CIED, entitled, ‘‘Expansion of
                                                                                                            coming.
                                                    clarification of the language concerning                                                                      areas allowed to import Fresh
                                                    when sealed, insect-proof containers                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr.                 Commercial Avocado Fruit (Persea
                                                    would be required to be used in                         David B. Lamb, Senior Regulatory                      americana Mill. Var. ‘Hass’) from
                                                    shipping and the removal of mandatory                   Policy Specialist, RPM, PPQ, APHIS,                   Mexico into the Continental United
                                                    fruit cutting at land and maritime                      4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale,                  States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico,’’ (June
                                                    borders, the current systems approach                   MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–2103.                        2014), we determined that because the
                                                    would not change. That systems                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            systems approach currently in place is
                                                    approach, which includes requirements                                                                         successful in mitigating the risks of
                                                    for orchard certification, limited                      Background                                            introducing quarantine pests associated
                                                    production area, trace back labeling,                     Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart-                 with the importation of fresh Hass
                                                    pre-harvest orchard surveys, orchard                    Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56                 avocado fruit from Michoacán, Mexico,
                                                    sanitation, post-harvest safeguards, fruit              through 319.56–71), the Animal and                    into the continental United States,
                                                    cutting and inspection at the                           Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)               Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, the current
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    packinghouse, port-of-arrival                           prohibits or restricts the importation of             systems approach will also adequately
                                                    inspection, and clearance activities,                   fruits and vegetables into the United                 mitigate the risks of introducing
                                                    would then be required for importation                  States from certain parts of the world to             quarantine pests from the other Mexican
                                                    of fresh Hass avocado fruit from all                    prevent plant pests from being                        States. We concluded that the
                                                    approved areas of Mexico. The fruit                     introduced into and spread within the                 phytosanitary risks for insect pests
                                                    would also be required to be imported                   United States. The requirements for                   associated with the importation of Hass
                                                    in commercial consignments and                          importing fresh Hass avocado fruit into               avocados from all of Mexico into the
                                                    accompanied by a phytosanitary                          the United States from Michoacán,                    continental United States, Hawaii, and


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 17, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM   18FEP1


                                                    8562                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    Puerto Rico would be effectively                        operational workplan is an agreement                  easily detectable upon surface
                                                    mitigated using nearly the same systems                 between APHIS’ Plant Protection and                   inspection. Further, commercially
                                                    approach as is currently used for the                   Quarantine program, officials of the                  produced fruit are grown and packed to
                                                    importation of Hass avocados from                       NPPO of a foreign government, and,                    meet quality standards that are much
                                                    Michoacán, Mexico, as set forth in                     when necessary, foreign commercial                    higher than non-commercially produced
                                                    § 319.56–30. We are proposing to make                   entities, that specifies in detail the                fruit and are therefore less likely to
                                                    some minor changes to the systems                       phytosanitary measures that will                      serve as hosts to pests of phytosanitary
                                                    approach. Those proposed changes are                    comply with our regulations governing                 concern. Interceptions of pests in
                                                    discussed below.                                        the import or export of a specific                    commercial shipments of fruit versus
                                                       Based on the findings of the CIED and                commodity. Operational workplans                      passenger baggage indicate
                                                    the PRA, we are proposing to amend                      apply only to the signatory parties and               commercially produced fruit represents
                                                    § 319.56–30 to allow commercial                         establish detailed procedures and                     a much lower risk of carrying pests.
                                                    shipments of Hass avocados from all                     guidance for the day-to-day operations
                                                                                                                                                                  Fruit Covering Requirements
                                                    growing areas of Mexico to be imported                  of specific import/export programs.
                                                    into the continental United States,                     Operational workplans also establish                     In § 319.56–30, paragraph (c)(3)(vii)
                                                    Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.                                how specific phytosanitary issues are                 currently references the lid, insect-proof
                                                       The first additional Mexican State                   dealt with in the exporting country and               mesh, or other material required to be
                                                    that would be expected to become                        make clear who is responsible for                     placed over the avocados prior to
                                                    eligible to export Hass avocados under                  dealing with those issues. The existing               leaving the packinghouse to protect
                                                    this proposed expansion would be the                    systems approach for importing fresh                  against fruit fly infestation. Paragraph
                                                    State of Jalisco. Currently, only Jalisco is            Hass avocado fruit into the United                    (c)(3)(viii) describes refrigerated transit
                                                    prepared to meet the requirements set                   States from Michoacán, Mexico,                       requirements for the avocado fruit
                                                    out in the regulations for eligibility to               currently requires that an annual                     within Mexico. Recently, a maritime
                                                    ship fresh Hass avocado fruit into the                  workplan be developed. This change                    shipment of fresh avocado fruit from
                                                    continental United States, Hawaii, and                  would allow APHIS flexibility and                     Mexico arrived in Port Manatee, FL, for
                                                    Puerto Rico. Specifically, these                        responsiveness in adding or removing                  the first time. The avocados were in
                                                    requirements are found in § 319.56–                     pests of concern from the list of                     uncovered trays inside sealed
                                                    30(c) and include orchard certification,                actionable pests. (The current                        refrigerated containers, and the
                                                    traceback labeling, pre-harvest orchard                 regulations refer to a ‘‘bilateral work               shipment was delayed because the
                                                    surveys, orchard sanitation, post-harvest               plan.’’ For the sake of consistency with              avocados were not covered with a lid,
                                                    safeguards, and fruit cutting and                       our other regulations, we would change                insect-proof mesh, or other material. As
                                                    inspection at the packinghouse. This                    the term to ‘‘operational workplan’’ in               a result of this incident, we have
                                                    proposed rule would allow for future                    this rulemaking.)                                     examined the requirements in
                                                    importation of fresh Hass avocados from                   Additionally, based on the findings of              paragraphs (c)(3)(vii) and (c)(3)(viii) and
                                                    other Mexican States provided those                     the PRA, we would add eight pests to                  determined that we should clarify our
                                                    States meet the APHIS requirements                      the list of pests of concern to be                    intentions regarding whether those lids,
                                                    contained in the regulations. Prior to                  maintained in the operational workplan.               insect-proof mesh, or other material
                                                    shipments beginning from any future                     Of those, we would require field and                  need to remain in place throughout the
                                                    States, APHIS would work with the                       packinghouse surveys for Cryptaspasma                 entire shipping process.
                                                                                                            perseana, a tortricid moth, and                          Since the lids, insect-proof mesh, or
                                                    NPPO of Mexico to ensure that they
                                                                                                            Conotrachelus serpentinus, a weevil,                  other material are intended to provide
                                                    meet the requirements of § 319.56–30(c).
                                                                                                            but not for the other six pests listed                phytosanitary protection against fruit
                                                    Any additions to the review process for
                                                                                                            below, which were determined to pose                  flies, and transport in refrigerated trucks
                                                    approving new States will be added to
                                                                                                            a medium or low chance of following                   or containers provides the same
                                                    the operational workplan as mutually
                                                                                                            the importation pathway of fresh Hass                 protection, we are proposing to amend
                                                    negotiated and agreed on between
                                                                                                            avocado fruit from Mexico. These pests,               the regulations in order to stipulate that
                                                    APHIS and the NPPO of Mexico.
                                                                                                            which would be addressed through port                 those coverings would not be required
                                                    Pests of Concern                                        of entry inspection, are:                             when the avocado fruit is inside a
                                                      Specific pests of concern associated                    • Avocado sunblotch viroid;                         refrigerated container or truck. Such
                                                    with fresh avocado fruit for which                        • Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green),                 coverings would therefore not be
                                                    mitigations are required are listed in                  pink hibiscus mealybug;                               required to be applied at the
                                                    paragraphs (c)(1)(ii), (c)(2)(i), and (e) of              • Pseudophilothrips perseae                         packinghouse, as the avocados are
                                                    § 319.56–30. They are:                                  (Watson), a thrips;                                   transferred directly from inside the
                                                      • Conotrachelus aguacatae, a small                      • Scirtothrips aceri (Moulton), a                   packinghouse into refrigerated
                                                    avocado seed weevil;                                    thrips;                                               containers or trucks, and all transit
                                                      • Conotrachelus perseae, a small                        • Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara, a                  within Mexico is required to be
                                                    avocado seed weevil;                                    thrips; and                                           completed in these containers or trucks.
                                                      • Copturus aguacatae, avocado stem                      • Sphaceloma perseae Jenkins,                       If the avocado fruit is transferred to a
                                                    weevil;                                                 avocado scab.                                         non-refrigerated container at an air or
                                                      • Heilipus lauri, large avocado seed                    We have determined that the existing                maritime port in Mexico for shipment to
                                                                                                            mitigations would be sufficient to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    weevil; and                                                                                                   the United States, a covering would
                                                      • Stenoma catenifer, avocado seed                     prevent these six pests from following                have to be applied.
                                                    moth.                                                   the pathway of importation, in
                                                      We are proposing to remove                            particular, packinghouse culling,                     Port of Entry Fruit Cutting
                                                    references to these specific pests from                 restriction of shipments to commercial                  Currently, Hass avocado fruit are
                                                    the regulations. The pest list would                    consignments only, and NPPO                           required to be biometrically sampled
                                                    instead be maintained in the operational                inspection. The six pests listed above                and cut in the field, at the
                                                    workplan provided to APHIS for                          produce symptoms on infested fruit that               packinghouse, and by an inspector at
                                                    approval by the NPPO of Mexico. An                      are macroscopic in nature and thus                    the port of first entry into the United


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 17, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM   18FEP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                             8563

                                                    States. We received a request from U.S.                 California’s production is of the Hass                given to this rule, and this rule will not
                                                    Customs and Border Protection to                        variety.                                              require administrative proceedings
                                                    amend the port of entry requirement,                       While APHIS does not have                          before parties may file suit in court
                                                    which is found in § 319.56–30(f), in                    information on the size distribution of               challenging this rule.
                                                    order to allow the fruit to be cut at the               U.S. avocado producers, according to
                                                                                                            the Census of Agriculture, there were a               Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                    discretion of the inspector. Given the
                                                    lack of quarantine pest interceptions in                total of 93,020 fruit and tree nut farms                 This proposed rule contains no new
                                                    shipments of avocado fruit from Mexico                  in the United States in 2012. The                     information collection or recordkeeping
                                                    at the ports of first entry for the period              average value of agricultural products                requirements under the Paperwork
                                                    from 1997 to 2014, we propose to                        sold by these farms was less than                     Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
                                                    amend the requirement. This will allow                  $274,000, which is well below the                     et seq.).
                                                    for operational flexibility. The other                  SBA’s small-entity standard of
                                                                                                                                                                  List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 319
                                                    cutting and sampling requirements                       $750,000. It is reasonable to assume that
                                                    would remain unchanged.                                 most avocado farms qualify as small                     Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Imports, Logs,
                                                                                                            entities. Between 2002 and 2012, the                  Nursery stock, Plant diseases and pests,
                                                    Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory                    number of avocado operations in                       Quarantine, Reporting and
                                                    Flexibility Act                                         California grew by approximately 17                   recordkeeping requirements, Rice,
                                                       This proposed rule has been reviewed                 percent, from 4,801 to 5,602 operations.              Vegetables.
                                                    under Executive Order 12866. The                           Avocados produced in the State of                    Accordingly, we propose to amend 7
                                                    proposed rule has been determined to                    Jalisco, north of Michoacán, are                     CFR part 319 as follows:
                                                    be not significant for the purposes of                  expected to be the first that would be
                                                    Executive Order 12866 and, therefore,                   exported to the United States under this              PART 319—FOREIGN QUARANTINE
                                                    has not been reviewed by the Office of                  rule. These imports would help meet                   NOTICES
                                                    Management and Budget.                                  the increasing year-round U.S. demand
                                                       In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we                  for avocados. Per capita avocado                      ■ 1. The authority citation for part 319
                                                    have performed an initial regulatory                    consumption in the United States grew                 continues to read as follows:
                                                    flexibility analysis, which is                          from 1.1 pounds in 1989 to 4.5 pounds                   Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and
                                                    summarized below, regarding the                         in 2011. A growing Hispanic population                7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR
                                                    economic effects of this proposed rule                  and greater awareness of the avocado’s                2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
                                                    on small entities. Copies of the full                   health benefits have helped to spur                   ■  2. Section 319.56–30 is amended as
                                                    analysis are available by contacting the                demand.                                               follows:
                                                    person listed under FOR FURTHER                            In 2012, Jalisco produced about 90                 ■ a. By revising the section heading.
                                                    INFORMATION CONTACT or on the                           million pounds of Hass avocados. Given                ■ b. In the introductory paragraph, by
                                                    Regulations.gov Web site (see                           required phytosanitary safeguards, only               removing the words ‘‘Michoacan,
                                                    ADDRESSES above for instructions for                    a fraction of this quantity is expected to            Mexico,’’ and adding the word
                                                    accessing Regulations.gov).                             qualify for importation by the United                 ‘‘Mexico’’ in their place.
                                                       Based on the information we have,                    States. But even if all of Jalisco’s                  ■ c. By revising paragraph (c)
                                                    there is no reason to conclude that                     avocado production were to meet the                   introductory text.
                                                    adoption of this proposed rule would                    requirements for U.S. entry, the total                ■ d. In paragraph (c)(1)(i), by removing
                                                    result in any significant economic effect               quantity would be equivalent to less                  the words ‘‘bilateral work plan’’ and
                                                    on a substantial number of small                        than 8 percent of U.S. Hass avocado                   adding the words ‘‘operational
                                                    entities. However, we do not currently                  imports in 2013 of over 1.2 billion                   workplan’’ in their place.
                                                    have all of the data necessary for a                    pounds. The proposed rule is therefore                ■ e. In paragraph (c)(1)(ii), by removing
                                                    comprehensive analysis of the effects of                not expected to have a large impact on                the words ‘‘the large avocado seed
                                                    this proposed rule on small entities.                   the U.S. avocado market or California                 weevil Heilipus lauri, the avocado seed
                                                    Therefore, we are inviting comments on                  producers because of potential imports                moth Stenoma catenifer, and the small
                                                    potential effects. In particular, we are                solely from the Mexican State of Jalisco.             avocado seed weevils Conotrachelus
                                                    interested in determining the number                    Any market effects are as likely to be                aguacatae and C. perseae’’ and adding
                                                    and kind of small entities that may                     borne by other foreign suppliers, such as             the words ‘‘avocado pests listed in the
                                                    incur benefits or costs from the                        Chile and Peru, as by U.S. producers.                 operational workplan’’ in their place.
                                                    implementation of this proposed rule.                                                                         ■ f. In paragraph (c)(2) introductory text,
                                                       Mexican officials have requested that                Executive Order 12988
                                                                                                                                                                  by removing the words ‘‘annual work
                                                    additional States in Mexico be allowed                     This proposed rule would allow fresh               plan’’ and adding the words
                                                    to export Hass avocados to the United                   Hass avocado fruit to be imported into                ‘‘operational workplan’’ in their place.
                                                    States under the same systems approach                  the United States from all of Mexico. If              ■ g. In paragraph (c)(2)(i), by removing
                                                    that was implemented for Michoacán,                    this proposed rule is adopted, State and              the words ‘‘the avocado stem weevil
                                                    Mexico, and has successfully kept pest                  local laws and regulations regarding                  Copturus aguacatae’’ and adding the
                                                    infestations associated with imported                   fresh Hass avocado fruit imported under               words ‘‘avocado pests listed in the
                                                    avocados out of the United States. U.S.                 this rule would be preempted while the                operational workplan’’ in their place.
                                                    imports of avocado from Mexico have                     fruit is in foreign commerce. Fresh fruits            ■ h. In paragraph (c)(3) introductory
                                                    increased significantly over the years,                 and vegetables are generally imported
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                  text, by removing the words ‘‘annual
                                                    from 311 million pounds in 2003 to over                 for immediate distribution and sale to                work plan’’ and adding the words
                                                    1.1 billion pounds in 2013. U.S.                        the consuming public and would                        ‘‘operational workplan’’ in their place.
                                                    avocado production over the 10 years                    remain in foreign commerce until sold                 ■ i. By revising paragraph (c)(3)(vii).
                                                    from the 2002/03 season through the                     to the ultimate consumer. The question                ■ j. In paragraph (c)(3)(viii), by adding
                                                    2011/12 season averaged 423 million                     of when foreign commerce ceases in                    two sentences at the end of the
                                                    pounds per year, of which California                    other cases must be addressed on a case-              paragraph.
                                                    accounted for 87.5 percent or over 375                  by-case basis. If this proposed rule is               ■ k. In paragraph (e), by removing the
                                                    million pounds. Nearly all of                           adopted, no retroactive effect will be                words ‘‘Heilipus lauri, Conotrachelus


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 17, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM   18FEP1


                                                    8564                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    aguacatae, C. perseae, Copturus                         DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          514–855–5000; fax 514–855–7401; email
                                                    aguacatae, or Stenoma catenifer’’ and                                                                         thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet
                                                    adding the words ‘‘listed in the                        Federal Aviation Administration                       http://www.bombardier.com. You may
                                                    operational workplan’’ in their place.                                                                        view this referenced service information
                                                    ■ l. In paragraph (f), by removing the
                                                                                                            14 CFR Part 39                                        at the FAA, Transport Airplane
                                                    word ‘‘will’’ and adding the word                       [Docket No. FAA–2015–0088; Directorate                Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
                                                    ‘‘may’’ in its place.                                   Identifier 2014–NM–179–AD]                            Renton, WA. For information on the
                                                                                                                                                                  availability of this material at the FAA,
                                                      The revisions and additions read as                   RIN 2120–AA64                                         call 425–227–1221.
                                                    follows:
                                                                                                            Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier,                 Examining the AD Docket
                                                    § 319.56–30      Hass avocados from Mexico.             Inc. Airplanes                                           You may examine the AD docket on
                                                    *      *     *     *      *                                                                                   the Internet at http://
                                                                                                            AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                       (c) Safeguards in Mexico. The                        Administration (FAA), DOT.                            www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                    avocados must have been grown in an                                                                           and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
                                                                                                            ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                    orchard located in a municipality that                                                                        0088; or in person at the Docket
                                                                                                            (NPRM).                                               Management Facility between 9 a.m.
                                                    meets the requirements of paragraph
                                                    (c)(1) of this section. The orchard in                  SUMMARY:   We propose to adopt a new                  and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
                                                    which the avocados are grown must                       airworthiness directive (AD) for certain              except Federal holidays. The AD docket
                                                    meet the requirements of paragraph                      Bombardier, Inc. Model BD–100–1A10                    contains this proposed AD, the
                                                    (c)(2) of this section. The avocados must               (Challenger 300) airplanes. This                      regulatory evaluation, any comments
                                                    be packed for export to the United                      proposed AD was prompted by testing                   received, and other information. The
                                                    States in a packinghouse that meets the                 of the spoiler electronic control unit                street address for the Docket Operations
                                                    requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this                (SECU) software for an upgrade, which                 office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in
                                                    section. The Mexican national plant                     revealed a timing error between the                   the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
                                                    protection organization (NPPO) must                     command and monitor channels. This                    be available in the AD docket shortly
                                                    provide an annual operational workplan                  proposed AD would require revising the                after receipt.
                                                    to APHIS that details the activities that               maintenance or inspection program to                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    the Mexican NPPO will, subject to                       incorporate repetitive operational tests              Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                    APHIS’ approval of the workplan, carry                  of the aileron disconnect system, and                 Avionics and Service Branch, ANE–172,
                                                    out to meet the requirements of this                    corrective action if necessary. This                  FAA, New York Aircraft Certification
                                                    section; APHIS will be directly involved                proposed AD would also require                        Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
                                                    with the Mexican NPPO in the                            modification and reidentification of the              Westbury, New York 11590; telephone
                                                    monitoring and supervision of those                     SECU, which would terminate the                       516–228–7301; fax 516–794–5531.
                                                    activities. The personnel conducting the                repetitive operational tests. We are                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    trapping and pest surveys must be                       proposing this AD to prevent a timing                 Comments Invited
                                                    hired, trained, and supervised by the                   error in the SECU software, which, in
                                                    Mexican NPPO or by the State delegate                   combination with failure of the roll                    We invite you to send any written
                                                    of the Mexican NPPO.                                    disconnect switch, could result in                    relevant data, views, or arguments about
                                                                                                            complete loss of spoiler functionality                this proposed AD. Send your comments
                                                    *      *     *     *      *                                                                                   to an address listed under the
                                                                                                            and consequent reduced controllability
                                                       (3) * * *                                            of the airplane.                                      ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
                                                       (vii) The avocados must be packed in                                                                       FAA–2015–0088; Directorate Identifier
                                                                                                            DATES: We must receive comments on                    2014–NM–179–AD’’ at the beginning of
                                                    clean, new boxes or bulk shipping bins,                 this proposed AD by April 6, 2015.
                                                    or in clean plastic reusable crates. The                                                                      your comments. We specifically invite
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: You may send comments,                     comments on the overall regulatory,
                                                    boxes, bins, or crates must be clearly
                                                                                                            using the procedures found in 14 CFR                  economic, environmental, and energy
                                                    marked with the identity of the grower,
                                                                                                            11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following              aspects of this proposed AD. We will
                                                    packinghouse, and exporter.
                                                                                                            methods:                                              consider all comments received by the
                                                       (viii) * * * If, at the port of export for             • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                 closing date and may amend this
                                                    consignments shipped by air or sea, the                 http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                proposed AD based on those comments.
                                                    packed avocados are transferred into a                  instructions for submitting comments.                   We will post all comments we
                                                    non-refrigerated container, the boxes,                    • Fax: 202–493–2251.                                receive, without change, to http://
                                                    bins, or crates must be covered with a                    • Mail: U.S. Department of                          www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                    lid, insect-proof mesh, or other material               Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                 personal information you provide. We
                                                    to protect the avocados from fruit-fly                  30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                  will also post a report summarizing each
                                                    infestation prior to leaving the                        W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                  substantive verbal contact we receive
                                                    packinghouse. Those safeguards must be                  Washington, DC 20590.                                 about this proposed AD.
                                                    intact at the time the consignment                        • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
                                                    arrives in the United States.                           Transportation, Docket Operations, M–                 Discussion
                                                                                                            30, West Building Ground Floor, Room                    Transport Canada Civil Aviation
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    *      *     *     *      *
                                                                                                            W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                  (TCCA), which is the aviation authority
                                                      Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of
                                                                                                            Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5                  for Canada, has issued Canadian
                                                    February 2015.
                                                                                                            p.m., Monday through Friday, except                   Airworthiness Directive CF–2014–24,
                                                    Kevin Shea,                                             Federal holidays.                                     dated August 5, 2014 (referred to after
                                                    Administrator, Animal and Plant Health                    For service information identified in               this as the Mandatory Continuing
                                                    Inspection Service.                                     this proposed AD, contact Bombardier,                 Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–03289 Filed 2–17–15; 8:45 am]             Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval,              MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
                                                    BILLING CODE 3410–34–P                                  Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone                    for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD–


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 17, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\18FEP1.SGM   18FEP1



Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:10:52
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:10:52
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesWe will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 20, 2015.
ContactMr. David B. Lamb, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, RPM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2103.
FR Citation80 FR 8561 
RIN Number0579-AE05
CFR AssociatedCoffee; Cotton; Fruits; Imports; Logs; Nursery Stock; Plant Diseases and Pests; Quarantine; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Rice and Vegetables

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR