[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32923-32928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15408]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 00-082-1]


Procedures and Standards Governing the Consideration of Import 
Requests

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 412(d) of the Plant Protection Act, 
we are publishing for public comment a description of the procedures 
and standards that govern the consideration

[[Page 32924]]

by the Agency's Plant Protection and Quarantine programs of import 
requests.

DATES: We invite you to comment on the procedures and standards 
described in this notice. We will consider all comments that we receive 
by August 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and 
three copies) to: Docket No. 00-082-1, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to 
Docket No. 00-082-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael A. Lidsky, Assistant 
Director, Regulatory Coordination, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
141, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8790.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title IV of the Agricultural Risk Protection 
Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), known as the Plant Protection Act (7 
U.S.C. 7701 through 7772), incorporated preexisting plant quarantine 
and related statutes into a comprehensive law aimed at, among other 
things, clarifying and augmenting the Secretary's authority to detect, 
control, and eradicate plant pests and noxious weeds. The Plant 
Protection Act was signed into law on June 20, 2000.
    We are publishing this notice in accordance with sec. 412(d) of the 
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7712(d)), which states:
    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall publish for public comment a notice describing the 
procedures and standards that govern the consideration of import 
requests. The notice shall--
    (1) specify how public input will be sought in advance of and 
during the process of promulgating regulations necessitating a risk 
assessment in order to ensure a fully transparent and publicly 
accessible process; and
    (2) include consideration of the following:
    (A) Public announcement of import requests that will necessitate a 
risk assessment.
    (B) A process for assigning major/nonroutine or minor/routine 
status to such requests based on current state of supporting scientific 
information.
    (C) A process for assigning priority to requests.
    (D) Guidelines for seeking relevant scientific and economic 
information in advance of initiating informal rulemaking.
    (E) Guidelines for ensuring availability and transparency of 
assumptions and uncertainties in the risk assessment process including 
applicable risk mitigation measures relied upon individually or as 
components of a system of mitigative measures proposed consistent with 
the purposes of this title.
    For purposes of this notice, we are using the terms risk analysis, 
risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication as follows:
    <bullet> Risk analysis. The process that includes risk assessment, 
risk management, and risk communication.
    <bullet> Risk assessment. The process of identifying hazards and 
estimating the likelihood of an adverse event and the magnitude of 
consequences.
    <bullet> Risk management. The process of identifying, evaluating, 
and recommending alternatives for mitigating risk.
    <bullet> Risk communication. The open exchange of information and 
opinion, which leads to better understanding of risk and risk-related 
decisions.
    This notice applies to risk analyses that are commenced on or after 
the date of publication of this notice.
    Even before the enactment of the Plant Protection Act, Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) recognized the need to improve the process 
it uses for communicating the initiation and completion of risk 
analyses for commodities, in terms of making the process much more 
understandable, visible (transparent), and accessible to the public, 
while at the same time seeking to reduce the large backlog of pending 
risk assessments that need to be completed. PPQ management decided in 
the spring of 1999 to make improvements to the commodity risk analysis 
process because of an increase in requests to import plant commodities, 
a growing list of pending or incomplete risk assessments, the need for 
a well-defined and transparent process for risk communication, and 
chronic staffing shortages. The scope of the improvement project was to 
focus on the administrative processes related to the management of 
commodity plant pest risk assessment activities (e.g., documentation 
and data sharing and tracking, priority setting, scientific review, 
etc.).
    The improvement project was coordinated by the APHIS Business 
Practices Team. These improvements in the administrative processes 
relative to the management of the commodity pest risk analysis process 
came to be known as a ``quality improvement process'' in which teams of 
Agency personnel and public sector stakeholders carefully examined the 
existing processes, compared them to the best practices of others, and 
designed and tested new processes.
    In addition, a review of the PPQ safeguarding system resulted in 
the issuance of a report entitled ``Safeguarding American Plant 
Resources,'' which made specific recommendations concerning the need to 
improve risk communication, transparency of the process, and public 
participation, among other things. In this regard, PPQ has undertaken 
several actions aimed at improving the commodity risk analysis process.
    PPQ held two public meetings to solicit views on specific proposals 
relative to improving the risk analysis process within its programs. 
Both meetings focused primarily on risk assessments related to the 
importation of fruits and vegetables. The first meeting was held on 
November 10, 1999, in Washington, DC (see Docket No. 99-071-1, 64 FR 
54859-54860; October 8, 1999), in which we requested that interested 
persons: Offer criteria for when a qualitative versus a quantitative 
risk assessment would be appropriate; comment on the feasibility of 
allowing exporters or exporting countries to conduct assessments under 
PPQ guidance; comment on mechanisms for notifying persons of the 
initiation of a risk assessment; and comment on the desirability of a 
tracking system for permits and pest risk assessments that could be 
accessed through the Internet (i.e., a ``web-based tracking system'').
    Those who spoke at the November 1999 meeting or submitted written 
comments generally noted that:
    <bullet> In situations where it is difficult to perform a 
quantitative risk analysis because there is a paucity of reliable data, 
risk assessments should be subject to a broad and rigorous external or 
peer review.
    <bullet> Risk assessments could be performed by outside sources, 
assuming PPQ's final decisions were independent

[[Page 32925]]

and not bound by the results of an externally prepared assessment.
    <bullet> The public should receive early and systematic 
notification of the initiation of a pest risk assessment, using the 
Federal Register for the most controversial assessments.
    <bullet> A web-based tracking system would be useful.
    On May 18 and 19, 2000, PPQ held a symposium in Riverdale, MD (see 
Docket No. 00-025-1, 65 FR 20942; April 19, 2000), in which recognized 
experts presented information on current topics in risk analysis. In 
addition, Agency personnel presented information on planned 
improvements to the pest risk analysis process within the Agency and 
sought feedback on specific topics such as access and transparency, 
types of assessments (routine versus nonroutine), and input for 
purposes of scientific and technical review. Many of the same comments 
that were raised in the November 1999 public meeting were also brought 
forth at the May 2000 symposium.
    In general, attendees at the May 2000 symposium sought:
    <bullet> More resources directed toward completing risk 
assessments;
    <bullet> Early and more public outreach to, and direct input from, 
stakeholders;
    <bullet> Development of a stakeholder registry for imports in which 
interested persons could register online to receive information 
concerning commodities and countries for which risk assessments must be 
prepared;
    <bullet> The development of program material demonstrating 
transparency and explaining what constitutes the current risk 
assessment process;
    <bullet> Criteria for when an assessment will be deemed routine 
versus nonroutine, how assessments are prioritized, and when external 
or peer review will be sought for a draft risk assessment; and
    <bullet> A user's guide written in clear and simple terms on how 
commodities may be imported.
    We believe that this notice addresses not only our obligations 
under section 412(d) of the Plant Protection Act, but also the concerns 
referenced above that were brought to the Agency's attention at the 
November 1999 and May 2000 meetings regarding the commodity pest risk 
analysis process. In addition, this notice is intended to address 
improvements related to how we communicate with our stakeholders about 
risk assessments for the importation of fruits and vegetables, and 
about risk assessments that are in process, or will be commenced for 
those commodities. However, the principles discussed in this notice are 
also generally applicable to the importation of all plants and plant 
products. With regard to the issue of committing resources to the risk 
analysis process, PPQ is currently recruiting eight additional 
professional staff dedicated to the completion of risk assessments, and 
will soon announce vacancies for two positions to work on risk 
mitigation and risk management.

What Is the Current Process for Addressing Importation Requests for 
Commodities and How Do Risk Assessments Get Initiated?

    The importation of commodities, i.e., fruits and vegetables, is 
subject to the requirements of the regulations found in Subpart--Fruits 
and Vegetables (7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56-8, referred to below as the 
fruits and vegetables regulations). Under Sec. 319.56-3 of the fruits 
and vegetables regulations, a person must apply, in advance of any 
proposed shipment, for a permit to import any fruits or vegetables that 
are already authorized entry under the regulations. An application must 
include such information as the country or locality of origin of the 
fruits or vegetables, the port of first arrival, and the name and 
address in the United States of the importer to whom a permit would be 
issued. If the commodity is, in fact, admissible, a permit for 
importation will be issued in most cases. As the commodity is already 
authorized entry under the regulations, the preparation of a pest risk 
assessment would not be necessary.
    However, if a commodity is not admissible and a currently accurate 
pest risk assessment does not exist for the commodity from a particular 
country or region, then a pest risk assessment must be prepared prior 
to making a decision about the enterability of the particular 
commodity. The purpose of the pest risk assessment is to determine what 
pest risks would be associated with the importation. If the pest risk 
assessment reveals that importation would result in an unacceptable 
level of risk of introduction of a plant pest, then the Agency must 
determine whether the risks can be mitigated to an acceptable level. If 
the risks can be so mitigated, then the Agency would issue a proposed 
rule to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow 
importation under specified conditions.
    It should be noted that importation requests may come from sources 
other than permit applications. For example, importation requests may 
be generated as a result of bilateral discussions between the United 
States and a foreign government. Other importation requests may simply 
result from a request submitted in a letter format from a foreign 
government. Such requests from foreign governments are handled in the 
same way as requests generated by permit applications: If no permit has 
been previously issued, or if there is not an applicable pest risk 
assessment on file, for the commodity that is the subject of the 
request, then a pest risk assessment must be prepared and amendments 
proposed to the fruits and vegetables regulations.

When Will the Public Have Opportunity for Input Concerning 
Importation Requests?

    PPQ will take the following actions in advance of and during the 
process of rulemaking in order to ensure a transparent and publicly 
accessible process.

Utilization of Web-Based Notification and Tracking Systems To 
Ensure Transparency and Accessibility

    PPQ intends to fully utilize web-based notification and tracking 
systems as a means of keeping interested persons informed of matters 
relating to import permit requests that require risk assessments. The 
principal web-based tool that we will use will be a stakeholder 
registry. This electronic registry will enable persons to register that 
they have a particular interest in being kept informed about import 
requests that pertain to a particular commodity, regardless of which 
country it is proposed to be exported from (this would be deemed a 
``commodity-based registration''). Alternatively, a person will be able 
to register to be notified of any commodity importation request 
pertaining to exports from a particular country (this would be deemed a 
``country-based registration''). A person would provide the Agency with 
his or her e-mail address and receive an electronic notification when 
either an initial import request pertaining to the commodity or country 
is received, or, subsequently, when a risk assessment pertaining to the 
specified commodity or country has been prepared and posted on the PPQ 
web site.
    To address immediate needs, PPQ has developed an interim 
stakeholder registry database that is accessible via the PPQ web site 
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq). This database allows interested 
persons to register their name and mailing address (electronic and 
geographic) to receive information on a specified area of interest. The 
current system forwards the inquiry to a designated employee who is 
responsible for contacting the registrant to address the concern. PPQ 
is currently in the process of procuring the

[[Page 32926]]

services of a qualified contractor to fully automate the stakeholder 
registry.
    If a person chooses not to register with the PPQ commodity 
stakeholder registry, they could otherwise consult the tracking systems 
accessible through the PPQ web site (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq). 
The commodity pest risk assessment web site (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pra/commodity) currently provides information on how to initiate a 
risk assessment for a commodity. It also includes answers to frequently 
asked questions and guidelines for completing a risk assessment. The 
web site allows interested persons to check the status of all risk 
assessments that are pending assignment to a risk assessor (pending) or 
that are in the process of being completed (active). The web site 
includes information regarding region, country, commodity, scientific 
name, and status of the commodity pest risk assessment. Copies of 
completed risk assessments are also available to download in portable 
document format (i.e., PDF files) from the web site or may be retrieved 
through PPQ's automatic fax vault system at (301) 734-3560. PPQ is also 
seeking to update its list of pending risk assessments and will be 
checking with requesters to confirm that they still wish us to process 
any pending importation requests submitted more than 18 months ago.
    With regard to other related web-based mechanisms that can be used 
for tracking purposes, the current APHIS Import Authorization System 
for online permitting allows a person to check the status of his or her 
application for importation of fruits and vegetables, as well as submit 
renewals, revisions, or amendments to an existing application. To 
access this application, select the ``Import Authorization System'' 
direct link from the PPQ home page (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq).

Submission of Information in Support of a Risk Assessment or 
Submission of a Pest Risk Assessment

    Once a person (i.e., any individual, group, foreign government, 
etc.) has been advised that the preparation of a pest risk assessment 
is necessary prior to importation of a fruit or vegetable, the person 
seeking importation of the commodity will be advised that he or she may 
submit specific information in support of his or her import request in 
order to expedite the Agency's preparation of the risk assessment. 
Providing the following information regarding the commodity, its 
country of origin, and the list of pests associated with the commodity 
should save the Agency the time that would otherwise be needed to 
gather such basic information:
    1. Crop. (a) Scientific name, (b) plant part to be imported, and 
(c) proposed use (propagation, consumption, milling, etc.).
    2. Country of origin. (a) Location of production area, as well as 
any unique characteristics of the production area in terms of pests or 
diseases, (b) name of exporting companies, (c) companies that bag, 
mill, or manufacture (if applicable), (d) port or ports of export, (e) 
export season, (f) complete address of national plant protection 
organization, with fax and telephone numbers, and (g) address of office 
or private research institution/organization that ensures phytosanitary 
security (if applicable).
    3. List of pests and diseases associated with species. (a) 
Scientific name, (b) common name, (c) plant part attacked, (d) period 
of attack, (e) control methods, (f) efficacy of control methods, (g) 
economic losses associated with pests of concern, (h) pest biology or 
disease etiology or epidemiology, (i) system of survey and monitoring 
and by whom, (j) control programs and by whom, (k) systems for pest 
risk mitigation and by whom (quarantine treatments, free areas, systems 
approach, etc.), and (l) bibliographic references.
    4. Certification statement. The person submitting such information 
should include his or her name, address, telephone, and fax numbers; e-
mail address; signature and date of submission; and any tracking number 
that may have been previously assigned by the Agency to the import 
request, along with the following statement: ``The information 
submitted is true and accurate based on the best knowledge of the 
submitter.''
    This information should be submitted to Risk Assessments Branch 
Chief, Permits and Risk Assessments, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236.
    After reviewing the submitted information, PPQ may request any 
other associated information that may be needed to complete the risk 
assessment.
    Alternatively, in lieu of submitting the above information, for 
``routine'' assessments, an interested person may submit a complete 
pest risk assessment that has been prepared in accordance with the most 
current version of the document, ``PPQ Guidelines for Pathway-Initiated 
Pest Risk Assessments'' (currently version 5.0), which appears on the 
PPQ web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pra/commodity. PPQ 
encourages interested persons to prepare risk assessments using these 
guidelines whenever possible, but cautions that the guidelines must be 
very closely adhered to in order for a risk assessment to be deemed 
complete and be accepted for review. Furthermore, PPQ's decisions will 
be independent and not bound by the results of an externally prepared 
assessment. Interested persons are strongly encouraged to contact PPQ 
at (301) 734-8896 prior to conducting their own pest risk assessment to 
ensure they have a complete information package.

Process for Assigning ``Routine'' Status or ``Nonroutine'' Status 
To Import Requests Based on Current State of Supporting Scientific 
Information

    We are using the terms ``routine'' and ``nonroutine'' as a means of 
categorizing risk assessments instead of using the terms ``major,'' 
which is synonymous with nonroutine, and ``minor,'' which is synonymous 
with routine. We believe that the terms ``routine'' or ``nonroutine'' 
do not necessarily connote different types of risk assessments, but 
that nonroutine assessments are associated with issues that may require 
greater resources, including greater risk communication.
    Within PPQ's Plant Health Programs staff in Riverdale, MD, the 
Permits and Risk Assessment (P&RA) staff is charged with processing 
permit requests as well as preparing pest risk assessments for 
commodities, propagative plant material (nursery stock), and organisms. 
It is the P&RA staff that is responsible, in consultation with the 
Phytosanitary Issues Management (PIM) staff, for applying the criteria 
listed below to determine whether a risk assessment will be deemed 
routine or nonroutine. The PIM staff seeks to resolve technical 
phytosanitary issues related to import and export requests, as well as 
provide services for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates to 
assist U.S. exporters.
    PPQ's determination as to the type of risk assessment to be 
conducted will appear on the PPQ web site within one calendar quarter 
(90 days) from the time a risk assessment is listed as being in 
``active status.'' Those risk assessments that have been assigned and 
are actively being worked on will be listed on the website as 
``active,'' and those still pending assignment to a risk assessor will 
be listed as ``pending.''
    The following factors will be taken into consideration in 
categorizing risk assessments as routine or nonroutine:
    <bullet> Economic value of the affected crop(s). The economic value 
of the domestically produced crop(s) that could be potentially affected 
by introduced pests, i.e., the agricultural resources potentially at 
risk.

[[Page 32927]]

    <bullet> Public interest. This may be linked to the economic value 
of the affected crop(s), but may often reflect a significant level of 
interest resulting from the pest(s) to be evaluated.
    <bullet> Environmental and public health importance. Measurement of 
the human and nonagricultural resources at risk, the potential impact 
on public health, plants other than crops, or endangered species.
    <bullet> Level of uncertainty. The base of knowledge (or lack 
thereof) relative to the commodity, pests, and production area of 
origin for a proposed importation. The available information determines 
the appropriate type of assessment (e.g., qualitative, probabilistic, 
etc.).
    <bullet> Local importance. Significance of importation of a 
commodity on a less than national level. While certain commodities and/
or potential pest introductions may be of minor economic and/or 
environmental importance on a national level, they may be very 
significant on a regional level.
    <bullet> Precedence. Whether the commodity/origin combination in 
question, or a similar combination, has ever been addressed in previous 
risk assessments and/or whether the assessment will require the use of 
new or different methodologies.
    We encourage interested parties to submit information relevant to 
the importation of a particular commodity (such as comments or 
information on pests and diseases associated with a species) early in 
the process so that risk assessors will have access to this information 
when preparing a risk assessment. Such information could be submitted 
as early as when PPQ posts the initial import request on the PPQ web 
site, or after PPQ posts its determination as to whether the risk 
assessment that will be prepared is deemed to be routine or nonroutine, 
which should be not later than 90 days from the assignment of ``active 
status'' to a risk assessment. We hope that these initiatives aimed at 
improving transparency will lead to improved communication between PPQ 
and interested persons.

Process for Assigning Priority to Requests

    It is the PIM staff that is responsible, in consultation with the 
P&RA staff, for assigning priorities for the completion of pest risk 
assessments that have been previously categorized as either routine or 
nonroutine using the above-referenced criteria. Once the assessments 
have been initially categorized as to type and priority, we will post 
these findings on the Agency's web site on at least a quarterly basis.
    The criteria that we will use in setting priorities, (which do not 
appear in a specified order of significance), are as follows:
    <bullet> The date on which an application was received;
    <bullet> The need to reduce smuggling of a particular commodity;
    <bullet> The need to further United States foreign and trade policy 
goals;
    <bullet> The other public interest factors affected by the 
importation of a particular commodity;
    <bullet> The need to address requests from bilateral meetings as 
well as the recognition of countries with multiple requests (countries 
with multiple requests would be asked to prioritize their requests to 
assist in priority-setting);

Seeking Relevant Scientific and Economic Information in Advance of 
Initiating Informal Rulemaking

    As previously discussed elsewhere in this notice, we are taking 
steps via web-based mechanisms to increase the transparency of our 
processes and availability of all risk assessments. We will post all 
risk assessments on the PPQ commodity risk assessment web site when 
final, before the initiation of rulemaking. As explained in more detail 
below, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the 
availability of a draft of each pest risk assessment determined to be 
``nonroutine'' and provide 60 days for the submission of comments 
regarding the draft risk assessment.
    We recognize that not all risk assessments will generate the same 
level of public interest, due to factors such as the economic value of 
the crop proposed for importation; the amount of interest based on the 
size of the domestic industry; local, regional, or national impacts; 
potential environmental impacts; level of uncertainty; and whether the 
importation or methodologies used in the risk assessment or risk 
mitigation would be unique. Generally speaking, these factors are the 
same as those used to determine whether a risk assessment will be 
deemed routine or nonroutine. We recognize that some of the factors 
related to nonroutine risk assessments require a greater level of 
consultation with interested persons. As noted in the previous 
paragraph, we will solicit comments on all nonroutine risk assessments 
for a minimum of 60 days prior to the initiation of any rulemaking. If 
necessary, based on the complexity or length of a risk assessment, we 
may provide the public with an opportunity to comment for more than 60 
days, as we did in the case of the pest risk assessment for solid wood 
packing materials (See Docket No. 98-057-2, 65 FR 61301; October 17, 
2000), for which the Agency provided a 120-day comment period.
    PPQ has already, on several other occassions, made draft pest risk 
assessments available for public comment in advance of rulemaking. 
Examples include the risk assessments pertaining to the importation of 
honeybees from New Zealand (Docket No. 99-091-1, 64 FR 68984; December 
9, 1999) and honeybees from Australia (Docket No. 00-032-1, 65 FR 
25701; May 3, 2000). Making risk assessments such as those two 
available for comment provides us with the opportunity to make any 
necessary modifications to the risk assessment prior to moving forward 
with a proposed rule. APHIS believes that announcing the availability 
of a risk assessment in the Federal Register provides an equitable 
means of obtaining public comment from all interested persons at the 
same time, since it provides all interested persons with an equal 
opportunity to comment. Publication in the Federal Register is 
``constructive notice'' to the world that the Agency is soliciting 
comments on scientific and economic information pertaining to a 
particular risk assessment.
    We may in select circumstances, prior to publication in the Federal 
Register of a draft pest risk assessment for comment, consult with non-
agency technical experts pertaining to certain provisions of a draft 
document, in order to ensure we are setting forth a technically 
accurate document. This would be done in order to ensure that the 
Agency was making available the best possible draft document for public 
comment, and possibly because the Agency did not have a particular 
expertise available within its own ranks.
    We recognize that in certain circumstances, risk assessments that 
have been deemed to be routine may generate or cause certain 
information to be brought to the Agency's attention that would cause us 
to reevaluate our original designation of routine. If we changed the 
designation of a risk assessment, we would publish a notice of 
availability of the draft risk assessment, with any necessary revisions 
to reflect the new information, in the Federal Register. We will review 
such situations on a case-by-case basis.

[[Page 32928]]

Ensuring Availability and Transparency of Assumptions and 
Uncertainties in the Risk Assessment Process, Including Risk 
Mitigation Measures Relied Upon Individually or as Components of a 
System of Mitigative Measures

    Section 412(e) of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7712(e)) 
requires that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a study of the role 
for and application of systems approaches designed to guard against the 
introduction of plant pathogens associated with proposals to import 
plants or plant products into the United States. The term ``systems 
approach'' is defined in the Act as ``a defined set of phytosanitary 
procedures, at least two of which have an independent effect in 
mitigating pest risk associated with the movement of commodities'' (see 
7 U.S.C. 7702(18)). This section of the Act also requires the 
participation in the study of scientists from State departments of 
agriculture, colleges and universities, the private sector, and the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. The Act 
further requires that a report of the results of the study be submitted 
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives. In 
the course of conducting this study, we are certain that 
recommendations will be made on the need for the Agency to be sure that 
assumptions and uncertainties in the risk assessment process, including 
applicable risk mitigation measures relied upon individually or as 
components of a system of mitigative measures, are clearly stated in 
any risk assessment document. As a matter of policy, APHIS will ensure 
that risk assessment documents clearly specify assumptions and 
uncertainties in the risk assessment process, including applicable risk 
mitigation measures relied upon individually or as components of a 
system of mitigative measures.

Other Mechanisms Aimed at Ensuring Transparency and Accessibility

    The Agency routinely provides a minimum of 60 days for the 
submission of comments from the public regarding its proposed 
amendments to the fruits and vegetables regulations. PPQ plans to 
utilize its stakeholder registry as a means of also notifying 
interested persons when a proposed rule which required a pest risk 
assessment has been published. Interested persons can download a copy 
of any APHIS document published in the Federal Register from the APHIS 
web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. The APHIS 
web site currently has a registry that allows interested persons to 
enter key words and their e-mail address, which enables registrants to 
receive electronic notification when their specified key words appears 
in a notice or proposed or final rule published in the Federal 
Register.
    Lastly, we intend to publish a brochure written in clear and simple 
terms, explaining the options and procedures for importing fruits and 
vegetables, which we believe will be of great assistance to first-time 
importers.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of June 2001.
Craig A. Reed,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15408 Filed 6-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P