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Finding of No Significant Impact for

Importation of Hass Avocados from Peru into the Continental United States

Environmental Assessment,

August 2009

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

prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes potential environmental consequences of 

allowing the importation of commercial shipments of Hass avocados from Peru under the final rule. The 

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Commodity Import Analysis and Operation

4700 River Road, Unit 133

Riverdale, MD 20737–1236

The EA analyzed alternatives of (1) no action in which the current regulations will remain unchanged 

prohibiting the movement of Hass Avocados from Peru into the Continental United States, and (2) the 

regulation under this rulemaking (preferred alternative). This rulemaking was preferred because it would 

not likely result in the introduction of plant pests associated with the importation of Hass Avocados from 

Peru into the United States. Further, the preferred alternative will support the agency’s efforts, in 

accordance with international trade agreements, to remove barriers to trade in the event that such barriers 

are found by scientific analysis to be unnecessary. The requirements under the rule serve to negate or 

reduce the potential environmental consequences of the preferred alternative. 

The EA evaluated the environmental impacts of a systems approach method that utilizes 

monitoring, grove requirements, surveys, harvest requirements, packinghouse requirements, 

inspection and certification. In addition, cold treatment and methyl bromide were evaluated for 

treatment of C. capitata. The EA concluded that environmental impacts from the requirements 

under this rulemaking are not expected to be consequential. The EA was published in the 

Federal Register and was made available for a 60-day public comment period. No comments 

were received that specifically mentioned the EA.

APHIS has determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from the 

implementation of this rulemaking. APHIS’ Finding of No Significant Impact for this rule was based 

upon the expected limited environmental consequences, as analyzed in the EA. APHIS anticipates no 

impacts to threatened or endangered species or their habitats from this regulatory action. 

The preferred alternative poses no disproportionate adverse effects to minority and low-income 

populations and the actions undertaken for this program are entirely consistent with the principles of 

“environmental justice,” as expressed in Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address 

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” Likewise, I find that the 

preferred program poses no disproportionate adverse effects to children and the actions undertaken for 

this program comply with the policy of Executive Order 13045, “Protection of Children from 

Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks.”
Lastly, because I have not found evidence of significant environmental impact associated with this 

program, I further find that an environmental impact statement does not need to be prepared and that this 

program may be implemented. 

Alanjjf~ Date 

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

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