The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to add new fields to the list of areas regulated for Karnal bunt following the detection of bunted kernels in grain harvested from these fields. At the same time, USDA is also proposing to remove certain fields from the list of regulated areas in instances where wheat is no longer grown in the fields or where the wheat has tested negative for Karnal bunt. These proposed actions would help prevent the spread of Karnal bunt into noninfested areas of the United States while at the same time removing restrictions where they no longer appear to be warranted. Certain areas in the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas are currently regulated for Karnal bunt by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat that is spread through the planting of infected seed.
Failure to prevent the spread of this fungal disease could have a significant impact on the United States' ability to export wheat to international markets. Notice of this action is published in the April 20 Federal Register. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before June 19.