G/SPS/N/USA/2883  
 
15 August 2016  
(16-4390) Page: 1/2 
Committee on San itary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AME RICA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff i tem number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Orchids  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Korea, Republic of  
5. Title of the notified document: Proposed Rule: Importation of Plants: Orchids in 
Growing Media From the Republic of Korea   Language(s): English   Number of 
pages:  3 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=APHIS -2015-0091-0001 
6. Description of content: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of p lants for planting to 
add orchid plants of the genera Phalaenopsis  and Cymbidium  from the Republic of Korea 
to the list of plants that may be imported into the continental United States in an 
approved growing medium, subject to specified growing, inspectio n, and certification 
requirements. We are taking this action in response to a request from the Republic of 
Korea and after determining that the plants could be imported under certain conditions, 
without resulting in the introduction into, or the disseminat ion within, the United States 
of a plant pest or noxious weed.  
Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 156/Friday, 12 August 2016/pgs. 53334 -53336  
7. Objective and rationale: [ ]  food safety, [ ]  animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/p lant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international standard? 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)    
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number)    
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[ ] Yes   [ ] No  G/SPS/N/USA/2883  
 
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  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 applic able 
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  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ]  Sixty days fr om the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 11 October 2016  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [ ]  National Notification 
Authority, [ ]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of o ther body:  
You may submit comments by either of the following methods:  
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to  
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS -2015-0091. 
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS -2015-0091, 
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 docke t may be viewed at 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS -2015-0091. 
For further information contact: Mr William Aley, Senior Regulatory Specialist, Plants for 
Planting Policy, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 1 33, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
+(301)  851 2130.  
13. Text(s)  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 Authority, 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.u sda.gov