83_FR_50256 83 FR 50063 - International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities

83 FR 50063 - International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 193 (October 4, 2018)

Page Range50063-50067
FR Document2018-21577

In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, we are informing the public of the international standard- setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting public comment on the standards to be considered.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50063-50067]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21577]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 50063]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2018-0053]


International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 
Activities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the 
Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade, we are informing the public of the international standard-
setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the 
North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting 
public comment on the standards to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0053.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2018-0053, 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-2018-
0053 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: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Ms. Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant 
Deputy Administrator for Trade and Capacity Building, International 
Services, APHIS, Room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7121.
    For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of 
the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David, 
Director, International Animal Health Standards Team, National Import 
Export Services, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 
20737; (301) 851-3302.
    For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities 
of the International Plant Protection Convention, contact Dr. Marina 
Zlotina, IPPC Technical Director, International Phytosanitary 
Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
(301) 851-2200.
    For specific information on the North American Plant Protection 
Organization, contact Ms. Patricia Abad, NAPPO Technical Director, 
International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
130, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-2264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common 
international institutional framework for governing trade relations 
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. 
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress 
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), 
which was signed into law on December 8, 1994. The WTO Agreements, 
which established the WTO, entered into force with respect to the 
United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act 
amended Title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531 et 
seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 
U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency to be 
responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary 
(SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-
setting organization. The designated agency must inform the public by 
publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that provides the 
following information: (1) The SPS standards under consideration or 
planned for consideration by the international standard-setting 
organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, a description of 
the consideration or planned consideration of that standard, a 
statement of whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda for U.S. 
participation, if any, and the agency responsible for representing the 
United States with respect to that standard.
    ``International standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any 
standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed 
under the auspices of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, 
formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) regarding 
animal health and welfare and zoonoses; (3) developed under the 
auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC or the Convention) and the North American Plant 
Protection Organization (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) 
established by or developed under any other international organization 
agreed to by the member countries of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA) or the member countries of the WTO.
    The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 
(60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official 
responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department 
of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities, and USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public 
of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform 
the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was 
created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization and

[[Page 50064]]

the World Health Organization. It is the major international 
organization for encouraging international trade in food and protecting 
the health and economic interests of consumers.
    APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, 
and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and 
animal health and representing the United States with respect to these 
standards. Following are descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO 
organizations and the standard-setting agenda for each of these 
organizations. We have described the agenda that each of these 
organizations will address at their annual general sessions, including 
standards that may be presented for adoption or consideration, as well 
as other initiatives that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.
    The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft 
standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed 
and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of 
the United States to support adoption of international standards and to 
participate actively and fully in their development, it should be 
recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will 
depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and 
interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any 
persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific 
draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting 
issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be 
under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at 
the beginning of this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

OIE Standard-Setting Activities

    The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing 
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed 
of 181 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate who, in most 
cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or territory. 
The WTO has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting 
animal health standards, reporting global animal disease events, and 
presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary measures relating 
to animal health.
    The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the 
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research 
among its Members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and 
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal 
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern 
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to 
achieve these through the development and revision of international 
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international 
trade of animals and animal products.
    The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of 
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of Members for certain 
diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their 
international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease 
status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to Members. 
Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the development 
and preparation of draft standards, which are then circulated to 
Members for consultation (review and comment). Draft standards are 
revised accordingly and are presented to the OIE World Assembly of 
Delegates (all the Members) for review and adoption during the General 
Session, which meets annually every May. Adoption, as a general rule, 
is based on consensus of the OIE membership.
    The most recent OIE General Session occurred May 20 to May 25, 
2018, in Paris, France. The Chief Trade Advisor for APHIS' Veterinary 
Services program serves as the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE at 
this General Session. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary 
Services program serves as the Alternate Delegate. Information about 
OIE draft Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be 
found on the internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/export-animals-oie or by contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above).

OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters Adopted During 
the May 2018 General Session

    Twenty nine Code chapters were amended, rewritten, or newly 
proposed and presented for adoption at the General Session. The 
following Code chapters are of particular interest to the United 
States:
    1. Chapters 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, and 1.12., Chapters on the 
application for official recognition by the OIE of either risk status 
or free status for various diseases. The United States reminded the 
Code Commission to respect the process for circulating new and updated 
chapters to allow member countries the time that is necessary to 
properly review and comment on such chapters.
    2. Chapter 4.3., Zoning and Compartmentalization. This chapter was 
significantly revised and either introduced or clarified various 
concepts regarding zones.
    3. Chapter 4.X., Chapter on vaccination. This is a new chapter that 
provides member countries with basic guidelines and recommendations 
when considering the use of vaccines for a control program.
    4. Chapter 6.7., Harmonization of national antimicrobial resistance 
surveillance and monitoring programmes. References to conducting 
antimicrobial surveillance on ``the animal's immediate environment or 
the wide environment'' was deleted.
    5. Articles 6.81 and 6.8.bis., Monitoring of the quantities and 
usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in food producing animals. 
This is an existing chapter, however definitions for therapeutic use, 
non-therapeutic use, and growth promotion were introduced. The terms 
veterinary medical use and non-veterinary medical use were replaced 
with the terms therapeutic use and non-therapeutic use, respectively.
    6. Chapter 6.13., Prevention and control of Salmonella in pigs. 
Several articles were revised to improve clarity, particularly with 
regards to the definition of commercial pigs.
    7. Chapter 6.X., Introduction to recommendations for veterinary 
public health. This was a newly adopted chapter.
    8. Article 7.1.1., Introduction to the recommendations for animal 
welfare. This was an amendment to an existing chapter.
    9. Article 7.1.X., Guiding principles for the use of measures to 
assess animal welfare. The phrase ``and other relevant bodies'' was 
reinserted. This was important since entities such as universities and 
commodity groups often are the ones with the capability to collect data 
that can be used to set target values.
    10. Chapter 7.X., Animal welfare and pig production systems. The 
United States supported the adoption of this new chapter, but requested 
that the Code Commission consider further comments that the United 
States will be submitting related to some inconsistencies between 
Articles 7.X.9 and 7.X.10 to address foraging and feeding behavior 
recommendations.

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters for Upcoming and Future 
Review

     Chapter 1.4., Animal health surveillance.
     Chapter 4.Y., Official control of listed disease. This 
will be a new chapter.

[[Page 50065]]

     Chapter 4.Z., Introduction to recommendations for disease 
prevention and control. This will be a new introductory chapter for 
section 4.
     Chapter 7.Y., Killing of reptiles for their skins, meat 
and other products. This will be a new chapter.
     Articles 15.1.1.bis., 15.1.2., 15.1.3., and 15.1.22., 
Infection with African swine fever virus.
     Articles 1.6.1. to 1.6.4., Procedures for self-declaration 
and for official recognition by the OIE.
     Chapter 8.14., Infection with rabies virus.

IPPC Standard-Setting Activities

    The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 to prevent 
the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and 
to promote appropriate measures for their control. The WTO recognizes 
the IPPC as the standard setting body for plant health. Under the IPPC, 
the understanding of plant protection encompasses the protection of 
both cultivated and non-cultivated plants from direct or indirect 
injury by plant pests. The IPPC addresses the following activities: 
Developing, adopting, and implementing international standards for 
phytosanitary (plant health) measures (ISPMs); harmonizing 
phytosanitary activities through adopted standards; facilitating the 
exchange of official and scientific information among countries; and 
providing technical assistance to developing countries that are 
contracting parties to the Convention.
    The IPPC is deposited within the Food and Agriculture Organization 
of the United Nations, and is an international agreement of 183 
contracting parties. National plant protection organizations (NPPOs), 
in cooperation with regional plant protection organizations, the 
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), and the Secretariat of the 
IPPC, implement the Convention. The IPPC continues to be administered 
at the national level by plant quarantine officials, whose primary 
objective is to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the 
United States, the NPPO is APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 
program.
    The 12th Session of the CPM took place from April 16 to 20, 2018, 
in Rome, Italy, at the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture 
Organization of the United Nations. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ program was the U.S. delegate to the CPM.
    The CPM adopted the following standards at its 2018 meeting. The 
United States, represented by the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' PPQ 
program, participated in deliberations of these standards. The United 
States developed its position on each of these issues prior to the CPM 
session, which were based on APHIS' analyses and other relevant 
information from other U.S. Government agencies and interested 
stakeholders:
     Revision of ISPM 6: Surveillance.
     2015 and 2016 amendments to ISPM 5: Glossary of 
phytosanitary terms.
     Revision of Annex 1 and Annex 2 to ISPM 15, for inclusion 
of the phytosanitary treatment sulphuryl fluoride fumigation and 
revision of the dielectric heating section.
     ISPM 42: Requirements for the use of temperature 
treatments as a phytosanitary measures.
     Phytosanitary treatment as Annex to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary 
treatments for regulated pests: PT 32 Vapour heat treatment for 
Bactrocera dorsalis on Carica papaya.
     Diagnostic protocols (DPs) as Annexes to ISPM 27: 
Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests.
    [cir] DP 23: Phytophthora ramorum.
    [cir] DP 24: Tomato spotted wilt virus, Impatiens necrotic spot 
virus, and Watermelon silver mottle virus.
    In addition to adopting these plant health standards, the 2018 
Commission meeting also progressed a number of plant health initiatives 
strategically important to the United States. These initiatives include 
advancing the development of a new IPPC strategic framework for 2020-
2030 to set the top priorities for plant health and trade, launching a 
pilot of a global electronic certification system to support trade 
(ePhyto), developing programs aimed at improving the use and 
implementation of standards around the world, and creating a task force 
for addressing pests issues associated with the international movement 
of sea containers.

New IPPC Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group (EWG) meetings or other technical 
consultations took place October 2017 through July 2018 on the topics 
listed below. These standard-setting initiatives are under development 
and may be considered for future adoption. APHIS intends to participate 
actively and fully in each of these working groups. APHIS developed its 
position on each of the topics prior to the working group meetings. The 
APHIS position was based on technical analyses, information from other 
U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from 
interested stakeholders:
     Expert Working Group on Guidance on Pest Risk Management.
     Technical Panel for the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms.
     Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols.
     Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments.
    For more detailed information on the above, contact Dr. Marina 
Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    PPQ actively works to achieve broad participation by States, 
industry, and other stakeholders in the development and use of 
international and regional plant health standards. Plant health 
stakeholders are strongly encouraged to comment on draft standards, 
documents, and specifications during the consultation periods. In 2018, 
six draft standards and one draft specification were open for 
consultation. APHIS posts links to draft standards on its website as 
they become available and provides information on the due dates for 
comments.\1\ Additional information on IPPC standards (including the 
IPPC work program (list of topics \2\), standard-setting process, and 
adopted standards) is available on the IPPC website.\3\ For the most 
current information on official U.S. participation in IPPC activities, 
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, contact Dr. 
Marina Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those 
wishing to provide comments on any of the areas of work being 
undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by responding to this 
notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Dr. 
Zlotina.
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    \1\ For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM consultation: 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_phytostandards/ct_draft_standards.
    \2\ IPPC list of topics: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/list-topics-ippc-standards/.
    \3\ IPPC website: https://www.ippc.int/.
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NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among the United States, 
Canada, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, 
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating 
intra- and inter-regional trade. As the NPPO of the United States, 
APHIS' PPQ is the organization officially identified to participate in 
NAPPO. Through NAPPO, APHIS works closely with its regional 
counterparts and industries to

[[Page 50066]]

develop harmonized regional standards and approaches for managing pest 
threats. NAPPO conducts its work through priority-driven annual 
projects approved by the NAPPO Executive Committee and conducted by 
expert groups, including subject matter experts from each member 
country and regional industry representatives. Project results and 
updates are provided during the NAPPO annual meeting. Projects can 
include the development of positions, policies, or technical documents, 
or the development or revision of regional standards for phytosanitary 
measures (RSPMs). Projects can also include implementation of standards 
or other capacity development activities such as workshops.
    The 41st NAPPO annual meeting was held October 16 to 19, 2017, in 
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The meeting featured several strategic topics, 
including a 1-day symposium on surveillance in the NAPPO countries and 
the Americas. The NAPPO Executive Committee meetings took place on 
October 16 and 20, 2017, and February 15, 2018. The Deputy 
Administrator for PPQ is the U.S. member of the NAPPO Executive 
Committee.
    The NAPPO expert groups, including member countries' subject matter 
experts, finalized the following regional standards, documents, 
products, and projects in 2017-2018:
     Completed an English language online training module on 
RSPM 12-Preparation of a Petition for First Release of a Non-indigenous 
Entomophagous Biological Control Agent.
     Organized and delivered the first International Symposium 
on Risk-Based Sampling in June 2017 in Baltimore, MD, which included 
122 government, industry, and academic participants from 27 countries.
     Completed a NAPPO discussion document on Criteria for 
Evaluating Phytosanitary Seed Treatments. The NAPPO Executive Committee 
approved this document during the 2017 October NAPPO annual meeting.
     Completed a discussion document on Likelihood of 
Establishment. The NAPPO Executive Committee approved this document 
during the 2017 October NAPPO annual meeting.
     Issued via NAPPO's Phytosanitary Alert System (PAS): 29 
Official Pest Reports and 6 Emerging Pest Alerts for FY 2018 (from 
October 2017 to July 2018).
     Conducted a review of RSPM 36 (Phytosanitary Guidelines 
for the Movement of Seed) and completed the archiving of RSPM 36 in-
light of the newly adopted ISPM 38: International Movement of Seeds.

New NAPPO Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    The 2018 work program \4\ includes the following topics being 
worked on by NAPPO expert groups and NAPPO's Advisory and Management 
Committee. APHIS intends to participate actively and fully in the 2018 
NAPPO work program. The APHIS position on each topic will be guided and 
informed by the best technical and scientific information available, as 
well as on relevant input from stakeholders. For each of the following, 
the United States will consider its position on any draft standard 
after it reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding the following 
NAPPO projects, assignments, activities, and updates on meeting times 
and locations may be obtained from the NAPPO website or by contacting 
Ms. Patricia Abad (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
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    \4\ NAPPO work program: http://nappo.org/english/710/status-current-nappo-projects/.
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    1. RSPM 9: Revision of Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 
9: Authorization of Laboratories for Phytosanitary Testing.
    2. RSPM 35: Revision of Regional Standard for Phytosanitary 
Measures 35: Guidelines for the Movement of Stone and Pome Fruit Trees 
and Grapevines into a NAPPO Member Country.
    3. ISPM 38 Implementation: Design and deliver a hemispheric 
(Americas focused) workshop to promote the understanding and 
implementation of ISPM 38: International Movement of Seeds.
    4. Forestry Systems Approaches: Finalize a NAPPO Regional Standard 
for Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM 41) on the use of systems approaches 
to manage pest risks associated with the movement of wood.
    5. Lymantriids: Develop a NAPPO Science and Technology document on 
the risks associated with Lymantriids of concern to the NAPPO region, 
identifying potential species and pathways of concern.
    6. Khapra Beetle: Develop a discussion document on a harmonized 
North American approach to preventing the introduction, establishment, 
and spread of khapra beetle in various pathways.
    7. Biological Control: Develop online training module in Spanish on 
preparing a petition for first release of an entomophagous biological 
control agent.
    8. Risk-Based Sampling: Complete and publish proceedings from 2017 
International Risk-Based Sampling Symposium (organized by NAPPO) as 
well as Risk-Based Sampling Manual.
    9. Asian Gypsy Moth: Validate specific risk periods for regulated 
Asian gypsy moth in countries of origin.
    10. Foundation and Procedure documents: Continue to update and 
finalize various foundation or procedure documents.
    11. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification: Provide assistance and 
technical support to the IPPC ePhyto Steering Group.
    12. Phytosanitary Alert System: Continue to manage the NAPPO pest 
reporting system.
    13. Update to Pest List for RSPM 3: Movement of Potatoes into a 
NAPPO Member Country.
    14. Regional Collaboration: Collaboration (mainly information 
exchange) with the Interamerican Coordinating Group in Plant Protection 
(GICSV), via Technical Working Groups on ePhyto and citrus greening 
(HLB).
    15. Stakeholder Engagement: Plan, coordinate and execute activities 
for the October 2018 NAPPO Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, and 
publish the quarterly newsletter.
    The PPQ Assistant Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. 
delegate to NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these 
regional plant health standards and projects, including the work 
described above, once they are completed and ready for such 
consideration.
    The information in this notice contains all the information 
available to us on NAPPO standards under development or consideration. 
For updates on meeting times and for information on the expert groups 
that may become available following publication of this notice, visit 
the NAPPO website or contact Ms. Patricia Abad (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above). PPQ actively works to achieve broad 
participation by States, industry, and other stakeholders in the 
development and use of international and regional plant health 
standards. Plant health stakeholders are strongly encouraged to comment 
on draft standards, documents, and specifications during consultation 
periods. APHIS posts links to draft standards on the internet as they 
become available and provides information on the due dates for 
comments.\5\ Additional information on

[[Page 50067]]

NAPPO standards (including the NAPPO Work Program, standard setting 
process, and adopted standards) is available on the NAPPO website.\6\ 
Information on official U.S. participation in NAPPO activities, 
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, may also be 
obtained from Ms. Abad. Those wishing to provide comments on any of the 
topics being addressed in the NAPPO work program may do so at any time 
by responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting 
comments through Ms. Abad.
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    \5\ For more information on the NAPPO draft RSPM consultation: 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_phytostandards/ct_draft_standards.
    \6\ NAPPO website: http://nappo.org/.

    Done in Washington, DC, on September 27, 2018.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21577 Filed 10-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                50063

                                               Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                             Vol. 83, No. 193

                                                                                                                                                             Thursday, October 4, 2018



                                               This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:     For              organization. The designated agency
                                               contains documents other than rules or                  general information on the topics                     must inform the public by publishing an
                                               proposed rules that are applicable to the               covered in this notice, contact Ms.                   annual notice in the Federal Register
                                               public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant Deputy                that provides the following information:
                                               committee meetings, agency decisions and                Administrator for Trade and Capacity                  (1) The SPS standards under
                                               rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
                                               petitions and applications and agency
                                                                                                       Building, International Services, APHIS,              consideration or planned for
                                               statements of organization and functions are            Room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th                  consideration by the international
                                               examples of documents appearing in this                 Street and Independence Avenue SW,                    standard-setting organization; and (2)
                                               section.                                                Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799–7121.                 for each SPS standard specified, a
                                                                                                         For specific information regarding                  description of the consideration or
                                                                                                       standard-setting activities of the World              planned consideration of that standard,
                                               DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               Organization for Animal Health, contact               a statement of whether the United States
                                                                                                       Dr. Michael David, Director,                          is participating or plans to participate in
                                               Animal and Plant Health Inspection                      International Animal Health Standards                 the consideration of that standard, the
                                               Service                                                 Team, National Import Export Services,                agenda for U.S. participation, if any, and
                                               [Docket No. APHIS–2018–0053]                            VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33,                   the agency responsible for representing
                                                                                                       Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–3302.                  the United States with respect to that
                                               International Sanitary and                                For specific information regarding the              standard.
                                               Phytosanitary Standard-Setting                          standard-setting activities of the                       ‘‘International standard’’ is defined in
                                               Activities                                              International Plant Protection                        19 U.S.C. 2578b as any standard,
                                                                                                       Convention, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina,               guideline, or recommendation: (1)
                                               AGENCY:  Animal and Plant Health
                                                                                                       IPPC Technical Director, International                Adopted by the Codex Alimentarius
                                               Inspection Service, USDA.
                                                                                                       Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS,                  Commission (Codex) regarding food
                                               ACTION: Notice and request for                          4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale,                  safety; (2) developed under the auspices
                                               comments.                                               MD 20737; (301) 851–2200.                             of the World Organization for Animal
                                               SUMMARY:   In accordance with legislation                 For specific information on the North               Health (OIE, formerly known as the
                                               implementing the results of the Uruguay                 American Plant Protection Organization,               Office International des Epizooties)
                                               Round of negotiations under the General                 contact Ms. Patricia Abad, NAPPO                      regarding animal health and welfare and
                                               Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, we are                  Technical Director, International                     zoonoses; (3) developed under the
                                               informing the public of the international               Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS,                  auspices of the Secretariat of the
                                               standard-setting activities of the World                4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale,                  International Plant Protection
                                               Organization for Animal Health, the                     MD 20737; (301) 851–2264.                             Convention (IPPC or the Convention)
                                               Secretariat of the International Plant                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            and the North American Plant
                                               Protection Convention, and the North                                                                          Protection Organization (NAPPO)
                                                                                                       Background                                            regarding plant health; or (4) established
                                               American Plant Protection Organization,
                                               and we are soliciting public comment                       The World Trade Organization (WTO)                 by or developed under any other
                                               on the standards to be considered.                      was established as the common                         international organization agreed to by
                                               ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                      international institutional framework for             the member countries of the North
                                               by either of the following methods:                     governing trade relations among its                   American Free Trade Agreement
                                                 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                   members in matters related to the                     (NAFTA) or the member countries of the
                                               http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket                     Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO                     WTO.
                                               Detail;D=APHIS-2018-0053.                               is the successor organization to the                     The President, pursuant to
                                                 • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:                    General Agreement on Tariffs and                      Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23,
                                               Send your comment to Docket No.                         Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO                     1995 (60 FR 15845), designated the
                                               APHIS–2018–0053, Regulatory Analysis                    was approved by Congress when it                      Secretary of Agriculture as the official
                                               and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station                    enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements                  responsible for informing the public of
                                               3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,                      Act (Pub. L. 103–465), which was                      the SPS standard-setting activities of
                                               Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.                               signed into law on December 8, 1994.                  Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The
                                                 Supporting documents and any                          The WTO Agreements, which                             United States Department of
                                               comments we receive on this docket                      established the WTO, entered into force               Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and
                                               may be viewed at http://                                with respect to the United States on                  Inspection Service (FSIS) informs the
                                               www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=                   January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round                    public of Codex standard-setting
                                               APHIS-2018-0053 or in our reading                       Agreements Act amended Title IV of the                activities, and USDA’s Animal and
                                               Room, which is located in Room 1141                     Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19                      Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
                                               of the USDA South Building, 14th Street                 U.S.C. 2531 et seq.). Section 491 of the              informs the public of OIE, IPPC, and
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                                               and Independence Avenue SW,                             Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as                      NAPPO standard-setting activities.
                                               Washington, DC. Normal reading room                     amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the                   FSIS publishes an annual notice in
                                               hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday                   President to designate an agency to be                the Federal Register to inform the
                                               through Friday, except holidays. To be                  responsible for informing the public of               public of SPS standard-setting activities
                                               sure someone is there to help you,                      the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)                  for Codex. Codex was created in 1962 by
                                               please call (202) 799–7039 before                       standard-setting activities of each                   two United Nations organizations, the
                                               coming.                                                 international standard-setting                        Food and Agriculture Organization and


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                                               50064                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Notices

                                               the World Health Organization. It is the                occurrence of animal diseases and to                  was significantly revised and either
                                               major international organization for                    ensure that science-based standards                   introduced or clarified various concepts
                                               encouraging international trade in food                 govern international trade in animals                 regarding zones.
                                               and protecting the health and economic                  and animal products. The OIE aims to                    3. Chapter 4.X., Chapter on
                                               interests of consumers.                                 achieve these through the development                 vaccination. This is a new chapter that
                                                  APHIS is responsible for publishing                  and revision of international standards               provides member countries with basic
                                               an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, and                      for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the               guidelines and recommendations when
                                               NAPPO activities related to                             safe international trade of animals and               considering the use of vaccines for a
                                               international standards for plant and                   animal products.                                      control program.
                                               animal health and representing the                         The OIE provides annual reports on                   4. Chapter 6.7., Harmonization of
                                               United States with respect to these                     the global distribution of animal                     national antimicrobial resistance
                                               standards. Following are descriptions of                diseases, recognizes the free status of               surveillance and monitoring
                                               the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO                                Members for certain diseases,                         programmes. References to conducting
                                               organizations and the standard-setting                  categorizes animal diseases with respect              antimicrobial surveillance on ‘‘the
                                               agenda for each of these organizations.                 to their international significance,                  animal’s immediate environment or the
                                               We have described the agenda that each                  publishes bulletins on global disease                 wide environment’’ was deleted.
                                               of these organizations will address at                  status, and provides animal disease                     5. Articles 6.81 and 6.8.bis.,
                                               their annual general sessions, including                control guidelines to Members. Various                Monitoring of the quantities and usage
                                               standards that may be presented for                     OIE commissions and working groups                    patterns of antimicrobial agents used in
                                               adoption or consideration, as well as                   undertake the development and                         food producing animals. This is an
                                               other initiatives that may be underway                  preparation of draft standards, which                 existing chapter, however definitions for
                                               at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.                            are then circulated to Members for                    therapeutic use, non-therapeutic use,
                                                  The agendas for these meetings are                   consultation (review and comment).                    and growth promotion were introduced.
                                               subject to change, and the draft                        Draft standards are revised accordingly               The terms veterinary medical use and
                                               standards identified in this notice may                 and are presented to the OIE World                    non-veterinary medical use were
                                               not be sufficiently developed and ready                 Assembly of Delegates (all the Members)               replaced with the terms therapeutic use
                                               for adoption as indicated. Also, while it               for review and adoption during the                    and non-therapeutic use, respectively.
                                               is the intent of the United States to                   General Session, which meets annually
                                                                                                                                                               6. Chapter 6.13., Prevention and
                                               support adoption of international                       every May. Adoption, as a general rule,
                                                                                                                                                             control of Salmonella in pigs. Several
                                               standards and to participate actively                   is based on consensus of the OIE
                                               and fully in their development, it                                                                            articles were revised to improve clarity,
                                                                                                       membership.
                                               should be recognized that the U.S.                         The most recent OIE General Session                particularly with regards to the
                                               position on a specific draft standard will              occurred May 20 to May 25, 2018, in                   definition of commercial pigs.
                                               depend on the acceptability of the final                Paris, France. The Chief Trade Advisor                  7. Chapter 6.X., Introduction to
                                               draft. Given the dynamic and interactive                for APHIS’ Veterinary Services program                recommendations for veterinary public
                                               nature of the standard-setting process,                 serves as the official U.S. Delegate to the           health. This was a newly adopted
                                               we encourage any persons who are                        OIE at this General Session. The Deputy               chapter.
                                               interested in the most current details                  Administrator for APHIS’ Veterinary                     8. Article 7.1.1., Introduction to the
                                               about a specific draft standard or the                  Services program serves as the Alternate              recommendations for animal welfare.
                                               U.S. position on a particular standard-                 Delegate. Information about OIE draft                 This was an amendment to an existing
                                               setting issue, or in providing comments                 Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health                 chapter.
                                               on a specific standard that may be under                Code chapters may be found on the                       9. Article 7.1.X., Guiding principles
                                               development, to contact APHIS. Contact                  internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/                for the use of measures to assess animal
                                               information is provided at the beginning                animal-health/export-animals-oie or by                welfare. The phrase ‘‘and other relevant
                                               of this notice under FOR FURTHER                        contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR                 bodies’’ was reinserted. This was
                                               INFORMATION CONTACT.                                    FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).                   important since entities such as
                                                                                                                                                             universities and commodity groups
                                               OIE Standard-Setting Activities                         OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal                    often are the ones with the capability to
                                                  The OIE was established in Paris,                    Health Code Chapters Adopted During                   collect data that can be used to set target
                                               France, in 1924 with the signing of an                  the May 2018 General Session                          values.
                                               international agreement by 28 countries.                   Twenty nine Code chapters were                       10. Chapter 7.X., Animal welfare and
                                               It is currently composed of 181                         amended, rewritten, or newly proposed                 pig production systems. The United
                                               Members, each of which is represented                   and presented for adoption at the                     States supported the adoption of this
                                               by a delegate who, in most cases, is the                General Session. The following Code                   new chapter, but requested that the
                                               chief veterinary officer of that country                chapters are of particular interest to the            Code Commission consider further
                                               or territory. The WTO has recognized                    United States:                                        comments that the United States will be
                                               the OIE as the international forum for                     1. Chapters 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11,             submitting related to some
                                               setting animal health standards,                        and 1.12., Chapters on the application                inconsistencies between Articles 7.X.9
                                               reporting global animal disease events,                 for official recognition by the OIE of                and 7.X.10 to address foraging and
                                               and presenting guidelines and                           either risk status or free status for                 feeding behavior recommendations.
                                               recommendations on sanitary measures                    various diseases. The United States
                                                                                                                                                             OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code
                                               relating to animal health.                              reminded the Code Commission to
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                                                                                                                                                             Chapters for Upcoming and Future
                                                  The OIE facilitates intergovernmental                respect the process for circulating new
                                                                                                                                                             Review
                                               cooperation to prevent the spread of                    and updated chapters to allow member
                                               contagious diseases in animals by                       countries the time that is necessary to                  • Chapter 1.4., Animal health
                                               sharing scientific research among its                   properly review and comment on such                   surveillance.
                                               Members. The major functions of the                     chapters.                                                • Chapter 4.Y., Official control of
                                               OIE are to collect and disseminate                         2. Chapter 4.3., Zoning and                        listed disease. This will be a new
                                               information on the distribution and                     Compartmentalization. This chapter                    chapter.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Notices                                                    50065

                                                 • Chapter 4.Z., Introduction to                       Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ PPQ                   scientific information from interested
                                               recommendations for disease                             program, participated in deliberations of             stakeholders:
                                               prevention and control. This will be a                  these standards. The United States                      • Expert Working Group on Guidance
                                               new introductory chapter for section 4.                 developed its position on each of these               on Pest Risk Management.
                                                 • Chapter 7.Y., Killing of reptiles for               issues prior to the CPM session, which                  • Technical Panel for the Glossary of
                                               their skins, meat and other products.                   were based on APHIS’ analyses and                     Phytosanitary Terms.
                                               This will be a new chapter.                             other relevant information from other                   • Technical Panel on Diagnostic
                                                 • Articles 15.1.1.bis., 15.1.2., 15.1.3.,             U.S. Government agencies and                          Protocols.
                                               and 15.1.22., Infection with African                    interested stakeholders:                                • Technical Panel on Phytosanitary
                                               swine fever virus.                                         • Revision of ISPM 6: Surveillance.                Treatments.
                                                 • Articles 1.6.1. to 1.6.4., Procedures                  • 2015 and 2016 amendments to                        For more detailed information on the
                                               for self-declaration and for official                   ISPM 5: Glossary of phytosanitary                     above, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina (see
                                               recognition by the OIE.                                 terms.                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
                                                 • Chapter 8.14., Infection with rabies                   • Revision of Annex 1 and Annex 2                  above).
                                               virus.                                                                                                           PPQ actively works to achieve broad
                                                                                                       to ISPM 15, for inclusion of the
                                                                                                                                                             participation by States, industry, and
                                               IPPC Standard-Setting Activities                        phytosanitary treatment sulphuryl
                                                                                                                                                             other stakeholders in the development
                                                 The IPPC is a multilateral convention                 fluoride fumigation and revision of the
                                                                                                                                                             and use of international and regional
                                               adopted in 1952 to prevent the spread                   dielectric heating section.
                                                                                                                                                             plant health standards. Plant health
                                               and introduction of pests of plants and                    • ISPM 42: Requirements for the use
                                                                                                                                                             stakeholders are strongly encouraged to
                                               plant products and to promote                           of temperature treatments as a
                                                                                                                                                             comment on draft standards,
                                               appropriate measures for their control.                 phytosanitary measures.
                                                                                                                                                             documents, and specifications during
                                               The WTO recognizes the IPPC as the                         • Phytosanitary treatment as Annex
                                                                                                                                                             the consultation periods. In 2018, six
                                               standard setting body for plant health.                 to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments for
                                                                                                                                                             draft standards and one draft
                                               Under the IPPC, the understanding of                    regulated pests: PT 32 Vapour heat
                                                                                                                                                             specification were open for
                                               plant protection encompasses the                        treatment for Bactrocera dorsalis on
                                                                                                                                                             consultation. APHIS posts links to draft
                                               protection of both cultivated and non-                  Carica papaya.
                                                                                                                                                             standards on its website as they become
                                               cultivated plants from direct or indirect                  • Diagnostic protocols (DPs) as                    available and provides information on
                                               injury by plant pests. The IPPC                         Annexes to ISPM 27: Diagnostic                        the due dates for comments.1 Additional
                                               addresses the following activities:                     protocols for regulated pests.                        information on IPPC standards
                                               Developing, adopting, and                                  Æ DP 23: Phytophthora ramorum.                     (including the IPPC work program (list
                                               implementing international standards                       Æ DP 24: Tomato spotted wilt virus,                of topics 2), standard-setting process,
                                               for phytosanitary (plant health)                        Impatiens necrotic spot virus, and                    and adopted standards) is available on
                                               measures (ISPMs); harmonizing                           Watermelon silver mottle virus.                       the IPPC website.3 For the most current
                                               phytosanitary activities through adopted                   In addition to adopting these plant                information on official U.S.
                                               standards; facilitating the exchange of                 health standards, the 2018 Commission                 participation in IPPC activities,
                                               official and scientific information                     meeting also progressed a number of                   including U.S. positions on standards
                                               among countries; and providing                          plant health initiatives strategically                being considered, contact Dr. Marina
                                               technical assistance to developing                      important to the United States. These                 Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                               countries that are contracting parties to               initiatives include advancing the                     CONTACT above). Those wishing to
                                               the Convention.                                         development of a new IPPC strategic                   provide comments on any of the areas
                                                 The IPPC is deposited within the                      framework for 2020–2030 to set the top                of work being undertaken by the IPPC
                                               Food and Agriculture Organization of                    priorities for plant health and trade,                may do so at any time by responding to
                                               the United Nations, and is an                           launching a pilot of a global electronic              this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by
                                               international agreement of 183                          certification system to support trade                 providing comments through Dr.
                                               contracting parties. National plant                     (ePhyto), developing programs aimed at                Zlotina.
                                               protection organizations (NPPOs), in                    improving the use and implementation
                                               cooperation with regional plant                         of standards around the world, and                    NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities
                                               protection organizations, the                           creating a task force for addressing pests               NAPPO, a regional plant protection
                                               Commission on Phytosanitary Measures                    issues associated with the international              organization created in 1976 under the
                                               (CPM), and the Secretariat of the IPPC,                 movement of sea containers.                           IPPC, coordinates the efforts among the
                                               implement the Convention. The IPPC                      New IPPC Standard-Setting Initiatives,                United States, Canada, and Mexico to
                                               continues to be administered at the                     Including Those in Development                        protect their plant resources from the
                                               national level by plant quarantine                                                                            entry, establishment, and spread of
                                               officials, whose primary objective is to                  A number of expert working group                    harmful plant pests, while facilitating
                                               safeguard plant resources from injurious                (EWG) meetings or other technical                     intra- and inter-regional trade. As the
                                               pests. In the United States, the NPPO is                consultations took place October 2017                 NPPO of the United States, APHIS’ PPQ
                                               APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine                  through July 2018 on the topics listed                is the organization officially identified
                                               (PPQ) program.                                          below. These standard-setting initiatives             to participate in NAPPO. Through
                                                 The 12th Session of the CPM took                      are under development and may be                      NAPPO, APHIS works closely with its
                                               place from April 16 to 20, 2018, in                     considered for future adoption. APHIS                 regional counterparts and industries to
                                               Rome, Italy, at the Headquarters of the                 intends to participate actively and fully
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                                               Food and Agriculture Organization of                    in each of these working groups. APHIS                  1 For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM

                                               the United Nations. The Deputy                          developed its position on each of the                 consultation: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/
                                               Administrator for APHIS’ PPQ program                    topics prior to the working group                     ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_
                                                                                                                                                             phytostandards/ct_draft_standards.
                                               was the U.S. delegate to the CPM.                       meetings. The APHIS position was                        2 IPPC list of topics: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-
                                                 The CPM adopted the following                         based on technical analyses,                          activities/standards-setting/list-topics-ippc-
                                               standards at its 2018 meeting. The                      information from other U.S.                           standards/.
                                               United States, represented by the                       Government agencies, and relevant                       3 IPPC website: https://www.ippc.int/.




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                                               50066                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Notices

                                               develop harmonized regional standards                   newly adopted ISPM 38: International                     8. Risk-Based Sampling: Complete
                                               and approaches for managing pest                        Movement of Seeds.                                    and publish proceedings from 2017
                                               threats. NAPPO conducts its work                                                                              International Risk-Based Sampling
                                                                                                       New NAPPO Standard-Setting
                                               through priority-driven annual projects                                                                       Symposium (organized by NAPPO) as
                                                                                                       Initiatives, Including Those in
                                               approved by the NAPPO Executive                                                                               well as Risk-Based Sampling Manual.
                                                                                                       Development                                              9. Asian Gypsy Moth: Validate
                                               Committee and conducted by expert
                                               groups, including subject matter experts                   The 2018 work program 4 includes the               specific risk periods for regulated Asian
                                               from each member country and regional                   following topics being worked on by                   gypsy moth in countries of origin.
                                               industry representatives. Project results               NAPPO expert groups and NAPPO’s                          10. Foundation and Procedure
                                               and updates are provided during the                     Advisory and Management Committee.                    documents: Continue to update and
                                               NAPPO annual meeting. Projects can                      APHIS intends to participate actively                 finalize various foundation or procedure
                                               include the development of positions,                   and fully in the 2018 NAPPO work                      documents.
                                               policies, or technical documents, or the                program. The APHIS position on each                      11. Electronic Phytosanitary
                                               development or revision of regional                     topic will be guided and informed by                  Certification: Provide assistance and
                                               standards for phytosanitary measures                    the best technical and scientific                     technical support to the IPPC ePhyto
                                               (RSPMs). Projects can also include                      information available, as well as on                  Steering Group.
                                               implementation of standards or other                    relevant input from stakeholders. For                    12. Phytosanitary Alert System:
                                               capacity development activities such as                 each of the following, the United States              Continue to manage the NAPPO pest
                                                                                                       will consider its position on any draft               reporting system.
                                               workshops.
                                                                                                                                                                13. Update to Pest List for RSPM 3:
                                                  The 41st NAPPO annual meeting was                    standard after it reviews a prepared
                                                                                                                                                             Movement of Potatoes into a NAPPO
                                               held October 16 to 19, 2017, in Merida,                 draft. Information regarding the
                                                                                                                                                             Member Country.
                                               Yucatan, Mexico. The meeting featured                   following NAPPO projects, assignments,                   14. Regional Collaboration:
                                               several strategic topics, including a 1-                activities, and updates on meeting times              Collaboration (mainly information
                                               day symposium on surveillance in the                    and locations may be obtained from the                exchange) with the Interamerican
                                               NAPPO countries and the Americas.                       NAPPO website or by contacting Ms.                    Coordinating Group in Plant Protection
                                               The NAPPO Executive Committee                           Patricia Abad (see FOR FURTHER                        (GICSV), via Technical Working Groups
                                               meetings took place on October 16 and                   INFORMATION CONTACT above).                           on ePhyto and citrus greening (HLB).
                                               20, 2017, and February 15, 2018. The                       1. RSPM 9: Revision of Regional                       15. Stakeholder Engagement: Plan,
                                               Deputy Administrator for PPQ is the                     Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 9:                coordinate and execute activities for the
                                               U.S. member of the NAPPO Executive                      Authorization of Laboratories for                     October 2018 NAPPO Annual Meeting
                                               Committee.                                              Phytosanitary Testing.                                in Tucson, Arizona, and publish the
                                                  The NAPPO expert groups, including                      2. RSPM 35: Revision of Regional                   quarterly newsletter.
                                               member countries’ subject matter                        Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 35:                  The PPQ Assistant Deputy
                                               experts, finalized the following regional               Guidelines for the Movement of Stone                  Administrator, as the official U.S.
                                               standards, documents, products, and                     and Pome Fruit Trees and Grapevines                   delegate to NAPPO, intends to
                                               projects in 2017–2018:                                  into a NAPPO Member Country.                          participate in the adoption of these
                                                  • Completed an English language                         3. ISPM 38 Implementation: Design                  regional plant health standards and
                                               online training module on RSPM 12–                      and deliver a hemispheric (Americas                   projects, including the work described
                                               Preparation of a Petition for First                     focused) workshop to promote the                      above, once they are completed and
                                               Release of a Non-indigenous                             understanding and implementation of                   ready for such consideration.
                                               Entomophagous Biological Control                        ISPM 38: International Movement of                       The information in this notice
                                               Agent.                                                  Seeds.                                                contains all the information available to
                                                  • Organized and delivered the first                     4. Forestry Systems Approaches:                    us on NAPPO standards under
                                               International Symposium on Risk-Based                   Finalize a NAPPO Regional Standard for                development or consideration. For
                                               Sampling in June 2017 in Baltimore,                     Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM 41) on                   updates on meeting times and for
                                               MD, which included 122 government,                      the use of systems approaches to                      information on the expert groups that
                                               industry, and academic participants                     manage pest risks associated with the                 may become available following
                                               from 27 countries.                                      movement of wood.                                     publication of this notice, visit the
                                                  • Completed a NAPPO discussion                          5. Lymantriids: Develop a NAPPO                    NAPPO website or contact Ms. Patricia
                                               document on Criteria for Evaluating                     Science and Technology document on                    Abad (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                               Phytosanitary Seed Treatments. The                      the risks associated with Lymantriids of              CONTACT above). PPQ actively works to
                                               NAPPO Executive Committee approved                      concern to the NAPPO region,                          achieve broad participation by States,
                                               this document during the 2017 October                   identifying potential species and                     industry, and other stakeholders in the
                                               NAPPO annual meeting.                                   pathways of concern.                                  development and use of international
                                                  • Completed a discussion document                       6. Khapra Beetle: Develop a                        and regional plant health standards.
                                               on Likelihood of Establishment. The                     discussion document on a harmonized                   Plant health stakeholders are strongly
                                               NAPPO Executive Committee approved                      North American approach to preventing                 encouraged to comment on draft
                                               this document during the 2017 October                   the introduction, establishment, and                  standards, documents, and
                                               NAPPO annual meeting.                                   spread of khapra beetle in various                    specifications during consultation
                                                  • Issued via NAPPO’s Phytosanitary                   pathways.                                             periods. APHIS posts links to draft
                                               Alert System (PAS): 29 Official Pest                       7. Biological Control: Develop online              standards on the internet as they
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                                               Reports and 6 Emerging Pest Alerts for                  training module in Spanish on                         become available and provides
                                               FY 2018 (from October 2017 to July                      preparing a petition for first release of             information on the due dates for
                                               2018).                                                  an entomophagous biological control                   comments.5 Additional information on
                                                  • Conducted a review of RSPM 36                      agent.                                                  5 For more information on the NAPPO draft
                                               (Phytosanitary Guidelines for the                                                                             RSPM consultation: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
                                               Movement of Seed) and completed the                       4 NAPPO work program: http://nappo.org/             aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_
                                               archiving of RSPM 36 in-light of the                    english/710/status-current-nappo-projects/.           phytostandards/ct_draft_standards.



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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Notices                                          50067

                                               NAPPO standards (including the                          493–0445, or email: HQOA@                             DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                               NAPPO Work Program, standard setting                    nass.usda.gov. General information
                                               process, and adopted standards) is                      about the committee can also be found                 National Agricultural Statistics Service
                                               available on the NAPPO website.6                        at https://www.nass.usda.gov/About_
                                               Information on official U.S.                            NASS/index.php.                                       Notice of Intent To Request Revision
                                               participation in NAPPO activities,                                                                            and Extension of a Currently Approved
                                               including U.S. positions on standards                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      The                   Information Collection
                                               being considered, may also be obtained                  Advisory Committee on Agriculture
                                                                                                       Statistics, which consists of 20 members              AGENCY:  National Agricultural Statistics
                                               from Ms. Abad. Those wishing to                                                                               Service, USDA.
                                               provide comments on any of the topics                   appointed from 7 categories covering a
                                               being addressed in the NAPPO work                       broad range of agricultural disciplines               ACTION: Notice and request for
                                               program may do so at any time by                        and interests, has scheduled a meeting                comments.
                                               responding to this notice (see                          on November 14–15, 2018. During this
                                               ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting                     time the Advisory Committee will                      SUMMARY:   In accordance with the
                                               comments through Ms. Abad.                              discuss topics including the status of                Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
                                                                                                                                                             notice announces the intention of the
                                                 Done in Washington, DC, on September 27,              NASS programs, Census of Agriculture
                                                                                                                                                             National Agricultural Statistics Service
                                               2018.                                                   Updates, Census of Agriculture Program
                                                                                                                                                             (NASS) to request revision and
                                               Kevin Shea,                                             Plans, and the NASS Strategic Plan.
                                                                                                                                                             extension of a currently approved
                                               Administrator, Animal and Plant Health                     The Committee meeting is open to the               information collection, the List
                                               Inspection Service.                                     public. The public is asked to pre-                   Sampling Frame Surveys. Revision to
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–21577 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am]             register for the meeting at least 10                  burden hours will be needed due to
                                               BILLING CODE 3410–34–P                                  business days prior to the meeting. Your              changes in the size of the target
                                                                                                       pre-registration must state the names of              population, sampling design, and
                                                                                                       each person in your group, organization,              questionnaire length. Annually, NASS
                                               DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               or interest represented; the number of                obtains lists of farm and ranch operators
                                               National Agricultural Statistics Service                people planning to give oral comments,                from different crop and livestock
                                                                                                       if any; and whether anyone in your                    organizations. Before adding these
                                               Notice of the Advisory Committee on                     group requires special accommodations.                names to our list of active operators we
                                               Agriculture Statistics Meeting                          Submit registrations to Executive                     will contact the individuals to
                                                                                                       Secretary, Advisory Committee on                      determine if they qualify as a farm or
                                               AGENCY:  National Agricultural Statistics                                                                     ranch and then collect basic information
                                                                                                       Agriculture Statistics, via eFax: 855–
                                               Service, USDA.                                                                                                from them on the size and type of
                                                                                                       493–0445, or email: HQOA@
                                               ACTION: Notice of public meeting.                                                                             operation they have. These data will be
                                                                                                       nass.usda.gov. Members of the public
                                               SUMMARY:    In accordance with the                      who request to give oral comments to                  used to eliminate any duplication we
                                               Federal Advisory Committee Act, the                     the Committee must arrive at the                      may have with names already on our
                                               National Agricultural Statistics Service                meeting site by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday,                list.
                                               (NASS) announces a meeting of the                       November 15, 2018. Written comments                      In addition to the names of potential
                                               Advisory Committee on Agriculture                       by attendees or other interested                      operators we receive from different crop
                                               Statistics.                                             stakeholders will be welcomed for the                 and livestock organizations, NASS has
                                                                                                       public record before and up to two                    been investigating the use of web-
                                               DATES: The Committee meeting will be                                                                          scraping as a source of identifying new
                                               held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on                     weeks following the meeting. The
                                                                                                       public may file written comments by                   farm operators to add to our List Frame.
                                               Wednesday, November 14, 2018, and                                                                             This new approach will be conducted
                                               from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on                         mail to the Executive Director, Advisory
                                                                                                                                                             under a two stage process. A short
                                               Thursday, November 15, 2018. There                      Committee on Agriculture Statistics,
                                                                                                                                                             screening form will be used first to
                                               will be an opportunity for public                       U.S. Department of Agriculture,
                                                                                                                                                             identify potential agricultural producers
                                               questions and comments at 8:15 a.m. on                  National Agricultural Statistics Service,
                                                                                                                                                             who will then receive a more detailed
                                               Thursday, November 15, 2018. All times                  1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room
                                                                                                                                                             questionnaire. This approach is
                                               mentioned herein refer to Central                       5041–A South Building, Washington,                    designed to minimize respondent
                                               Standard Time.                                          DC, 20250–2000. Written comments can                  burden on small or non-farming entities.
                                               ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting                        also be sent via eFax: 855–493–0445, or
                                                                                                       email: HQOA@nass.usda.gov. All                        DATES: Comments on this notice must be
                                               will take place at the Wyndham San
                                               Antonio Riverwalk, 111 E Pecan St., San                 statements will become a part of the                  received by December 3, 2018 to be
                                               Antonio, TX 78205. Written comments                     official records of the USDA Advisory                 assured of consideration.
                                               may be filed before or up to two weeks                  Committee on Agriculture Statistics and               ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
                                               after the meeting with the contact                      will be kept on file for public review in             identified by docket number 0535–0140,
                                               person identified herein at: U.S.                       the office of the Executive Director,                 by any of the following methods:
                                               Department of Agriculture, National                     Advisory Committee on Agriculture                        • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.
                                               Agricultural Statistics Service, 1400                   Statistics, U.S. Department of                        Include docket number above in the
                                               Independence Avenue SW, Room 5041–                      Agriculture, Washington, DC, 20250.                   subject line of the message.
                                               A, South Building, Washington, DC,                                                                               • eFax: (855) 838–6382.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                         Signed at Washington, DC, September 19,
                                               20250–2000.
                                                                                                       2018.
                                                                                                                                                                • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD–
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                                                              ROM submissions to: David Hancock,
                                                                                                       Kevin Barnes,                                         NASS Clearance Officer, U.S.
                                               Kevin Barnes, Associate Administrator,
                                               National Agricultural Statistics Service,               Associate Administrator, National                     Department of Agriculture, Room 5336
                                               telephone: 202–720–4333, eFax: 855–                     Agricultural Statistics Service.                      South Building, 1400 Independence
                                                                                                       [FR Doc. 2018–21611 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am]           Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–
                                                 6 NAPPO   website: http://nappo.org/.                 BILLING CODE 3410–20–P                                2024.


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Document Created: 2018-10-04 02:03:07
Document Modified: 2018-10-04 02:03:07
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
ContactFor general information on the topics covered in this notice, contact Ms. Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Trade and Capacity Building, International Services, APHIS, Room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7121.
FR Citation83 FR 50063 

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