# / Finding ofNo SignificantImpact For Importation ofBananas from the Philippines EnvironmentalAssessment July 2012

The U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), hasprepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes potential environmental consequences ofallowing importation ofbananas from the Philippines. The EA, incorporated by reference in this document, is available from:

U.S. Department ofAgriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Plant for Planting Policy 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737

The EA analyzed the following alternatives: (1) no action in which the United States would continue to prohibit the importation ofbananas from the Philippines (no action alternative), and (2) amending the regulations to allow importation into the continental United States ofcommercially produced bananas from the Philippines, subject to specific mitigation measures (preferred alternative). Notice ofthis EAwas made available in the Federal Register on May 30,2012 for a 30-daypublic commentperiod. Four comments were received onthe proposed rule or EA. Three commenters expressed general agreement ordisagreement with the proposal but did notraise any specific issues. The other commenter, the Commissioner ofAgriculture, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, raised concerns regarding the risk ofintroduction offruit flies. into Floridafrom importation ofbananas from the Philippines. This comment is addressed in an appendix to the EA.

APHIS has determined that there would be no significant impact to thehuman environment from implementation ofthis rule. APHIS' Finding ofNo Significant Impact for this regulatory action
was basedupon the expected limited environmental consequences, including risk to human health,
as analyzed in the EA. APHIS anticipates no impacts to threatened or endangered species ortheir habitats nor any adverse cumulative effects from this regulatory action. Under thepreferred alternative, mitigation measures are designed to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests into orthrough the continental United States as a result ofthe movement ofbananas from the Philippines into the continental United States. In addition, residue levels ofchlorpyrifos
on importedbananas havenot been found to exceed tolerance levels established bythe Environmental Protection Agency.

Executive Order 12114, "Environmental Effects Abroad ofMajorFederal Actions," was reviewed in evaluating the potential environmental impact to the Philippines from implementation ofthe preferred alternative. Chemical treatments required for Philippine bananas exported to the United States are not expected to have a significant effect on Philippine plants, animals, humans, or environment and, therefore, no circumstances that will trigger the need for special environmental review are involved in implementing the proposed systems approach.Lastly, because I have not found evidence ofany significant environmental impacts associated with implementation ofthis rulemaking, I further find that an environmental impact statement does not need to beprepared and the proposed rule maybeimplemented.



## MfchaclWatSOl1 Executive Director Plant Health Programs Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department ofAgriculture 4700 River Road, Unit 133 Riverdale, MD 20737