G/SPS/N/USA/2664  
 
5 May 2014  
(14-2695)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Unshu oranges 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Japan  
5. Title of the notified document: Proposed Rule: Importation of Fresh Unshu Oranges 
from Japan into the United States (Docket # APHIS-2013-0059)  Language(s): English   
Number of pages: 5 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docu mentDetail;D=APH IS-2013-0059-0004  
6. Description of content: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
proposing to amend the regulations concerning the importation of citrus fruit to remove 
certain restrictions on the importation of Unshu oranges from Japan that are no longer 
necessary. Specifically, we propose to remove requirements for the fruit to be grown in specified canker-free export areas with buffer zones and for joint inspection in the 
groves and packinghouses by the Government of the Republic of Japan and the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service. We woul d also clarify that surface sterilization of 
the fruit must be conducted in accordance with our regulations. Finally, we would require 
that each shipment be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate containing an 
additional declaration stating that the fruit was given the required surface sterilization. These proposed changes would make the regulations concerning the importation of Unshu oranges from Japan consistent with our domestic regulations concerning the 
interstate movement of citrus fruit from areas quarantined because of citrus canker. 
Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 69, Thursday, 10 April 2014, pages 19840-19844. 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text)   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    G/SPS/N/USA/2664 
 
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  [ ] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available:     
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 9 June 2014 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point.  Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body: You may submit comments by either of the following 
methods: 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0059 . 
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0059, 
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-2013-0059 . 
For further information contact: Ms Meredith Jones, Regulatory Policy Specialist, 
Regulations, Permits, and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 156, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; +(301) 851 2289. 
13. Texts available from: [X] National Notification Authority, [ ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
United States SPS National Notification Auth ority, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, 
International Regulations and Standards Division (IRSD), Stop 1014, Washington D.C. 
20250; Tel: +(1 202) 720 1301; Fax: +(1 202) 720 0433; E-mail: 
us.spsenquirypoint@fas.usda.gov