G/SPS/N/USA/3249  
 
28 May 2021  
(21-4428) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
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; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Certain parts of plants of ban ana and plantain species  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  Australia, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, 
Israel, Jordan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanese Republic, Malaysia, 
Mayotte, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, 
Chinese  Taipei, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam  
5. Title of the notif ied document:  Federal Order: Fusarium oxysporum  f. sp. cubense  
Tropical Race 4 ( Foc TR4) Import Restriction [DA -2021-10]. Language(s): English . 
Number of pages: 2 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/federal_order/downloa
ds/2021/da -2021-10.pdf  
6. Description of  content:  Effective 21 May 2021, USDA APHIS prohibits the importation 
of certain plant parts of all banana and plantain species of Musa spp. and one banana 
species, Abyssinian banana ( Ensete ventricosum ), to prevent the introduction and 
establishment of th e harmful Fusarium oxysporum  f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4 
(Foc TR4) into the United States and its territories. APHIS prohibits the import of these 
species from the following countries where Foc TR4 is known to occur: Australia, China, 
Colombia, India, I ndonesia, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mayotte, 
Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Chinese Taipei , Thailand, 
Turkey and Viet Nam. This Federal Order applies to Musa spp. and Ensete ventricosum  
plant parts including rooted p lants, rooted and unrooted cuttings, roots, and rhizomes 
known to carry Foc TR4 from the identified countries where the pathogen is known to 
occur.  
This Federal Order does not apply to seeds, leaves, cut flowers, fruits, and plants in tissue 
culture since these are not significant pathways for Foc TR4. 
APHIS has determined that the introduction and establishment of Foc TR4 poses a serious 
threat to US agriculture. The restriction to prevent the introduction and establishment of 
Foc TR4 is needed and warrant ed to mitigate the plant pest risks associated with this 
pest. 
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [X ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  G/SPS/N/USA/3249  
 
- 2 - 
 
  8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  
APHIS  has determined that the introduction and establishment of Foc TR4 poses a serious 
threat to US agriculture. The restriction to preven t the introduction and establishment of 
Foc TR4 is needed and warranted to mitigate the plant pest risks associated with this 
pest. 
9. 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 p roposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
10. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
21 May 2021  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [  ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
Lydia E. Colon at +(301) 851 2302 or Lydia.e.colon@usda.gov  
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/fed eral_order/downloa
ds/2021/da -2021-10.pdf