United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Marketing and 

Regulatory 

Programs

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

Final Rule for the 

Importation of 

Mexican Hass Avocados 

to All States Except

California, Florida, and

Hawaii

Environmental Assessment, 

August 2004
Proposed Rule for the

Importation of Mexican Hass

Avocados to All States Except

California, Florida, and Hawaii

Environmental Assessment,

August 2004

Agency Contact:

Karen Bedigian

Import Specialist 

Phytosanitary Issues Management Team

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

4700 River Road, Unit 140

Riverdale, MD 20874–1236

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political 

beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities 

who require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
Table of Contents

I. Need for Proposed Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

A. Background ............................ 1

B. Purpose and Need for Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

II. Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

A. No Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

B. Proposed Rule to Allow for Importation of 

Hass Avocados to All States Except California,

Florida, and Hawaii

(Preferred Alternative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

III. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action 

and Its Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

IV. Special Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

A. Environmental Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

B. Protection of Children’s Health . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

C. Endangered and Threatened Species . . . . . . . 8

V. Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VI. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

VII. Consultation and Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1

I. Need for Action

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine

(PPQ) is amending the regulations for the importation of plants and plant

products (7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 319) to allow for the

importation of Hass Avocados from Mexico into the United States during

the entire year. 

A. Background 

In 2001, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS), amended 7 CFR 319, governing the

importation of fresh Hass avocados from Mexico to the United States. 

The Fruits and Vegetables phytosanitary regulation contained in 7 CFR

319.56 prohibits or regulates the importation of fruits and vegetables into

the United States. The regulation in 7 CFR 319.56–2ff currently allows

for the importation of fresh Hass variety avocados (Persea americana)

from Michoacan, Mexico, into the United States for distribution into

approved States under permit issued in accordance with the regulations. 

The avocados may be imported between October 15 and April 15 of the

following year. The avocados are to be distributed only in the following

States: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia,

Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,

New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio,

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,

West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The imported fruit is only allowed in commercial shipments and under

specific conditions established in the regulation. These conditions,

including pest surveys in the approved municipalities and orchards, field

sanitation practices, packinghouse procedures, shipping requirements,

and various other safeguards are necessary to prevent the importation of

plant pests on Hass avocados from Mexico. The regulation is designed

to prevent the introduction and dissemination of fruit flies and other

injurious plant pests and diseases that are new to or not widely

distributed in the United States. 

APHIS has responsibility for taking actions to exclude, eradicate, and/or

control plant pests, including pests known to follow the pathway of Hass

avocados imported from Michoacan, Mexico, under the Plant Protection

Act (7 United States Code (U.S.C.) 7701 et seq.). APHIS has been

delegated the authority to administer these statutes and has promulgated
2

Quarantines and Regulations (7 CFR 319) which regulate the importation

of commodities and means of conveyance to help protect against the

introduction and spread of harmful plant pest species, provide for the

control, and minimize the economic, ecological, and human health

impacts that harmful pests can cause. 

Based on Mexico’s recent request and review of the pest risks associated

with the importation of avocados from Mexico, APHIS initially proposed

to remove the distribution restrictions on Hass avocados and allow the 

importation of Hass avocados from Mexico into all States year round. 

All other conditions and safeguards currently in the regulation would

remain applicable for the importation of Hass avocados from Michoacan,

Mexico.

B. Purpose and Need for Action

The purpose of the rule change as originally proposed, was to remove

certain restrictions on the importation of Mexican Hass avocados and

expand the geographic area of distribution to all States; shipping to all

States year-round would be permitted.

Prior to 1914, avocados were allowed importation into the United States 

from Mexico. In 1914, U.S. plant health officials prohibited the

importation of fresh avocados from Mexico because of the presence of

avocado seed weevils (Heilipus lauri) in Mexico. In July 1994, Sanidad

Vegetal, the plant protection branch of the Mexican Ministry of

Agriculture and Water Resources, requested that APHIS allow fresh

Hass avocado fruit from approved orchards in approved municipalities in

the State of Michoacan, Mexico, to be imported into the northeastern

United States. In response to the request from the Government of

Mexico, APHIS proposed and implemented a rule to allow fresh Hass

avocado fruit from Michoacan, Mexico, to be imported into the

northeastern United States. A pest risk assessment was prepared to

consider issues related to this request from Mexico for the importation of

Hass avocados (USDA, APHIS, 1995) and the findings of that document

are incorporated by reference. The Fruits and Vegetables regulation was

amended and APHIS published a final rule in February 1997 to provide

for fresh Hass avocado fruit grown in Mexico to be imported into the

United States subject to certain conditions specified in the regulations. 

The Government of Mexico has requested APHIS to further expand the

importation of Hass avocados into the United States in accordance with

Chapter 7, section B, Agriculture and Sanitary and Phytosanitary

Measures of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In
3

responding to this request, APHIS has completed a risk assessment,

Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. var. ‘Hass’)

from Mexico, analyzing the risks of expanding the existing avocado

program. This change would include the removal of geographic and

seasonal restrictions on the importation of Hass avocados from Mexico. 

APHIS must consider such requests according to the terms agreed to by

the United States as a signatory party to NAFTA and the General

Agreement on Trade and Tariffs.

APHIS considered Mexico’s request and determined it is consistent with

international trade agreements for facilitating trade. The Council on

Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) implementing regulations for the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 United States

Code (U.S.C.) 4321 et seq.) requires Federal agencies to “[b]riefly

provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to

prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant

impact” (40 CFR 1508.9 (a)(1)). This environmental assessment (EA),

Proposed Rule for Import of Mexican Hass Avocados to All States, dated

March 2004, was prepared to consider the potential for environmental

impacts from the proposed changes to the regulation and to allow the

interested public an opportunity to comment. This EA complies with the

provisions of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321–4327), CEQ’s NEPA

implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508), and Executive Order

12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.

II. Alternatives

The alternatives considered within include (1) the no action alternative,

which is the continuation of the importation of Hass avocados from

Mexico into the United States, as stated in the current regulation, under

specific conditions of entry (no change would be made to the regulation),

and (2) a change to the Fruits and Vegetables regulation as proposed, that

would allow for year- round importation to all States except California,

Florida, and Hawaii during the first 2 years. Each is described briefly in

this section and the potential impacts of each are considered in the

following section.

A. No Action

The no action alternative, which is simply the continuation of the 

importation of Hass avocados from Mexico into the United States, as

stated in the current regulation (7 CFR 319.56–2ff), would remain the

same. 
4

The importation of Mexican avocados is managed using a systems

approach. The current regulations allow for fresh Mexican Hass

avocados to be imported from Michoacan, Mexico, into the United States

for distribution to approved States and only under a permit with the

following conditions:

(a) The avocados may be imported in commercial shipments only.

(b) The avocados may be imported only between October 15 and 

April 15 of the following year.

(c) The avocados may only be distributed in the following States: 

Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Idaho,

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,

Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,

New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio,

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,

West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

In addition to the above conditions, other safeguarding measures are also

required including field surveys, trapping activities, field sanitation, host

resistance, post-harvest safeguards, winter shipping, packinghouse

inspection, and port of arrival inspections.

1. Field

Surveys

The municipality must be approved by APHIS and surveyed at least

annually and found to be free of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis

capitata, the large avocado seed weevil, Heilipus lauri, the small

avocado seed weevils, Conotrachelus aguacatae, Contrachelus perseae,

and the avocado seed moth, stenoma catenifer. Certification is

dependent upon pests not being found in the municipalities. The surveys

include foliage sampling, fruit cutting, and visual inspection. The

surveys must be conducted during the growing season and completed

prior to the harvest of the avocados.

2. Trapping Trapping must be conducted in the orchard for the fruit flies Anastrepha

ludens, A. serpentina, and A. striata. If one fruit fly is trapped, at least 

10 additional traps are set in a 50-hectare area immediately surrounding

the trap find. If another fruit fly is found within 30 days in a surrounding

area of 260 hectares of the initial find, malathion bait treatments must be

applied in the affected orchard in order for the orchard to remain eligible

to export avocados. 

3. Field

Sanitation

It is the responsibility of the avocado grower or orchard owner to

perform sanitation measures. Dead branches on avocado trees in the
5

orchard must be pruned and removed from the orchard. Fallen fruit must

be collected and removed weekly. 

4. Host

Resistance

Hass avocados are easily identified from other varieties by their pebbly

skin texture, characteristic shape and size, and black color when ripe. 

They offer a natural resistance to pests and are a very poor host to certain

Anastrepha spp. found in Mexico. 

5. Postharvest

Safeguards

Harvested avocados must be placed in field boxes or field containers that

are marked with the approved orchard registration number. The

avocados must be moved from the orchard to the packinghouse within 

3 hours of harvest or they must be protected from fruit fly infestation

until moved. At the packinghouse, the identity of the orchard must be

maintained from the field boxes to the shipping containers. Prior to

packing in boxes, each avocado must be cleaned of all stems, leaves, and

other portions of plants, and labeled with the registration of the

packinghouse. All avocados must be packed in clean, new boxes or

clean plastic reusable crates. The boxes or crates must be clearly marked

with the identity of the grower, packinghouse, and exporter, and a

specific statement regarding States where the avocados are “not for

distribution.” 

The boxes of avocados must be placed in a refrigerated truck or

container and remain in that truck or container under seal while in transit

through Mexico to the port of first arrival in the United States. All

shipments of avocados must be accompanied by a phytosanitary

certificate issued by Sanidad Vegetal certifying that the conditions

specified in the regulation have been met.

6. Winter

Shipping

The current regulation limits the shipment and distribution of Mexican

Hass avocados to the timeframe between October 15 and April 15 of the

following year.

7. Packinghouse 

Inspection

and Fruit

Cutting

The packinghouse must be registered with Sanidad Vegetal and must be

listed as an approved packinghouse in their annual work plan as provided

to APHIS. The operations of the packinghouse must meet the following

conditions: (a) accept fruit only from orchards certified by Sanidad

Vegetal for participation in the avocado export program, (b) all openings

to the outside must be covered by screening with openings of not more

than 1.6 millimeters or by some other barrier that prevents the entry of

insects, (c) it must have double doors at the entrance of the facility and at

the interior entrance to the avocado packing area, (d) prior to the culling

process, a sample must be selected per shipment, cut and inspected by

Sanidad Vegetal and found free from pests, (e) identity of the avocados
6

must be maintained from field boxes or containers to the shipping boxes,

(f) each avocado fruit must be cleaned of all stems, leaves, and other

plant parts and labeled with a packinghouse registration number, (g) the

avocados must be packed in clean new boxes or plastic reusable crates

and clearly marked with the identity of the grower, packinghouse,

exporter, and statement of “Not for distribution in States,” (h) boxes

must be placed in a refrigerated truck or refrigerated container and sealed

while in transit through Mexico to the United States and, (i) any

avocados that have not been packed or loaded for shipment must remain

in the screened packing area. These are the current measures in 7 CFR

319.56 designed to regulate Mexican Hass avocados into the United

States. 

B. Final Rule to Allow for Importation of Hass

Avocados to All States Except California, Florida,

and Hawaii (Preferred Alternative)

The final rule is very similar to the current regulation with its conditions

of entry as maintained in the systems approach (a defined set of

phytosanitary measures, at least two of which have an independent effect

in the mitigation of pest risk associated with the movement of

commodities). Currently, the regulation allows for limited importation

of Hass avocados from Mexico into 31 States and the District of

Columbia. Also, avocados may only be imported between October 15

and April 15 of the following year. 

This alternative would change 7 CFR part 319–ff, according to the final

rule, and allow the importation of fresh Mexican Hass avocados (Persea

americana Mill. var. ‘Hass’) from Michoacan, Mexico, year-round to all

States except California, Florida, and Hawaii during the first 2 years after

publication of the final rule. The same mitigation measures and

requirements in the current regulation for importation of Hass avocados

from Mexico would remain in effect as an additional safeguard

measures. 

III. Environmental Impacts of the Action

and Its Alternatives

Environmental impacts associated with implementation of the rule would

be as a result of inadvertent release and establishment of avocado plant

pests, including three species of seed weevils, one species of stem

weevil, one species of seed moth, and several species of exotic fruit flies. 

Establishment of these plant pests would present a potential threat to
7

U.S. agriculture. In responding to the Mexican request to remove certain

restrictions on the importation of Hass avocados from the State of

Michoacan, Mexico, APHIS officials prepared a pest risk assessment

dated February 2004, Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana

Mill. var.‘Hass ’) from Mexico.

Mexico uses a systems approach to export avocados to the United States. 

The pest risk analysis that supported the present regulation also supports

the alternative for removal of all restrictions on the importation of Hass

avocados from Mexico. The systems approach program, developed by

APHIS, begins with the Mexican export requirements and adds

additional phytosanitary requirements. A risk management analysis was

performed on the Mexican avocado import program. This analysis

concluded that the systems approach acts in a fail-safe manner in that

multiple safeguards are built into the process. If one mitigation measure

is not completely successful, then one of the other safeguards in place

will ensure that the risk of entry of a quarantine pest into the United

States into an area where it can become established is insignificant. The

system will be closely monitored by APHIS, and any pest detections or

irregularities will result in immediate actions within Mexico to eliminate

the pest risk, including the prohibition of importing some or all avocados

from Mexico. 

In the highly unlikely event that an avocado pest should be introduced

into the United States and threaten to become established, appropriate

eradication actions within Mexico would likely be initiated. Such

actions would likely involve the use of pesticides in a localized area. 

The area affected would likely be small because it is anticipated that any

pests would be detected before they became widespread. The weevils

and seed moth are specific to avocados and, thus, would only be found in

association with avocado trees. The fruit flies are not as host-specific

and could be located away from avocado orchards; however, areas where

they are most likely to become established are regularly monitored for

exotic fruit fly activity. Any analysis of possible actions against exotic

pests that may become established would be extremely speculative at this

time and would not serve any useful purpose. 

In the unlikely event that a pest threatens to become established

somewhere in the United States as a result of the importation of Hass

avocados from Michoacan, Mexico, and actions are required of APHIS,

an EA would be prepared to look at the site-specific details necessary to

eradicate the pest. Any eradication plan or program would not be

undertaken before a separate environmental process was completed.
8

IV. Special Considerations

A. Environmental Justice

Consistent with Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income

Populations” (59 Federal Register (FR) 7629–7633), and the

Departmental Regulation 5600–2, Environmental Justice, dated

December 15, 1997, APHIS considered the potential for

disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental

effects on any minority populations. The proposed application for the

importation of Hass avocados to all States will not result in adverse

human health or environmental effects on any minority and low-income

populations. 

B. Protection of Children’s Health

Consistent with Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From

Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885–19888),

APHIS considered the potential for disproportionately high and adverse

environmental health and safety risks to children. It was determined that

no disproportionate effects on children are anticipated as a consequence

of implementing the preferred alternative.

C. Endangered and Threatened Species

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 4332 et seq.) requires

that Federal agencies review their actions to ensure that they do not

jeopardize the continued existence of a federally listed endangered or

threatened species (listed species). Further, agencies are required to

consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine

Fisheries Service if their actions may adversely affect federally listed

species. A review of the proposed action indicates that it is not likely to

adversely affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats. 

V. Summary

The evidence, assumptions, and conclusions of the 2004 risk assessment,

Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. var.‘Hass’) from

Mexico appear to support the proposed changes in the regulation for

importation of Hass avocados. In 6 years of experience, the surveys,

inspections, and fruit cuttings have not detected the presence of any

insect pests in the importation of Mexican Hass avocados. The initial
9

EA analyzed the environmental risks associated with the importation of

Mexican Hass avocados from Mexico into all States. However, as a

result of public comments and considerations, the final rule will allow

for the importation of Mexican Hass avocados into all States except

California, Florida, and Hawaii during the first 2 years of implementing

the expanded regulation. The results of the environmental assessment

and risk assessment remain the same and indicate that the risk of a plant

pest outbreak occurring in the United States from this action, if the

proposal is adopted, is highly unlikely and, therefore, the risk to the

quality of the human environment does not appear to be significant. 
10

VI. References

USDA, 2004. Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. var.

Hass) from Mexico. A Risk Assessment. August 2004, USDA, APHIS,

PPQ, CHPST, MD.

USDA, 2004. Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. var.

Hass) from Mexico. A Risk Assessment. February 2004, USDA,

APHIS, PPQ, CHPST, MD.

Miller, C.E., Green, A.S., Harabin, V., and Stewart, R.D., 1995. Risk

management analysis: a systems approach for Mexican avocado. May

1995. USDA, APHIS, Riverdale, MD.

Sequeira, R., Millar, L., and Bartels, D., 2001. Identification of

susceptible areas for the establishment of Anastrepha spp. fruit flies in

the United States and analysis of selected pathways. North American

Plant Protection Agency, Ottawa, Canada. (In press) 

USDA, 1995. Importation of avocado fruit (Persea americana) from

Mexico: supplemental pest risk assessment. May 1995. USDA, APHIS,

PPQ, Riverdale, MD.

USDA, 1996. Importation of avocado fruit (Persea americana) from

Mexico: supplemental pest risk assessment-Addendum I. Estimates for

the likelihood of pest outbreaks based on the draft final rule. USDA,

APHIS, PPQ, Riverdale, MD. 

USDA, APHIS, 1999. Evaluating APHIS Programs and Activities for

Ensuring Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and

Safety Risks. APHIS Directive 5600.3, dated September 9, 1999. 

USDA, APHIS, Riverdale, MD.

USDA, APHIS, 2001. Information memo for the record. USDA,

APHIS, PPQ, Riverdale, MD. Prepared by Michael J. Firko, Assistant

Director, and Edward V. Podleckis, Senior Plant Pathologist, APHISPPQ-Permits and Risk Assessment, dated April 30, 2001.
11

VII. Consultation and Review

Individuals within APHIS staffs were contacted for information or to

review documents during the preparation of this EA. The staff addresses

follow.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Phytosanitary Issues Management, Unit 140

Riverdale, MD 20737–1236

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Policy and Program Development

Environmental Services, Unit 149

Riverdale, MD 20737–1238

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Policy and Program Development

Regulatory Analysis and Development, Unit 118

Riverdale, MD 20737–1238
Finding of No Significant Impact

Final Rule for Importation of Mexican Hass Avocados

 to All States Except California, Florida, and Hawaii

Environmental Assessment, August 2004

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

(APHIS), has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that assesses potential environmental

impacts of a final rule to amend the regulations governing the importations of fruits and

vegetables. This is a final rule for the importation and expansion of the distribution area and

shipping season of fresh Hass avocado fruit grown in Michoacan, Mexico, to be imported into all

states except California, Florida, and Hawaii during the first two years subject to certain

conditions. The EA, incorporated by reference in this document, is available from:

Phytosanitary Issues Management

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

4700 River Road, Unit 140

Riverdale, Maryland 20737–1236

The initial EA analyzed two alternatives: (1) no action, and (2) final rule to allow for the

importation of Hass Avocados to All States except California, Florida, and Hawaii. In the initial

EA, APHIS, analyzed a proposed rule to import Mexican Hass avocados into all States at any

time. As a result of the public comment process on the initial EA, APHIS considered a

recommended and reasonable exception to allow for the importation of Mexican Hass Avocados

to all States except California, Florida, and Hawaii during the first two years. In response to the

comments received and considering the alternatives, APHIS has determined that the second

alternative is its preferred alternative in that it further enhances its abilities to regulate and

exclude injurious plant pests from the United States. 

 . 

The analysis of this EA finds that there would be no significant impact of this action based upon

the results of the 2001 Information Memo for the Record, the “Risk Management Analysis: A

Systems Approach for Mexican Avocado, May 1995,” and the “Importation of Avocado Fruit

(Persea americana) from Mexico: Supplemental Pest Risk Assessment, May 1995,” and the

“Importation of Avocado Fruit (Persea americana) Mill.var. ‘Hass’) from Mexico: A Risk

Assessment, August 2004. Any analysis of possible actions against exotic pests would be

extremely speculative at this time and would not serve any useful purpose. In the unlikely event

that a plant pest becomes established somewhere in the United States as a result of Hass

avocados imported from Michoacan, Mexico, and actions are required of APHIS, an

environmental analysis will be conducted to look at the site-specific details necessary to perform

a meaningful analysis.

APHIS considered the potential environmental consequences of each alternative and determined

that there would be no significant impact on the quality of the human environment from the

implementation of the preferred alternative. APHIS considered the impact the final rule would

have on federally listed endangered and threatened species, according to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, and has determined that this action will have no adverse effect on endangered and

threatened species.

The analysis in this EA has considered Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations and Executive

Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. The

implementation of this action will not result in disproportionately high and adverse human health

or environmental effects on any minority populations and low-income populations or present any

risks to the health or safety of children.

Therefore, I find that the potential risk to the quality of the environment from the final rule, if

adopted, is insignificant. 

 

Richard L. Dunkle Date

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service