Source: http://www.regulations.gov/?_escaped_fragment_=documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0002-0001
Timestamp: 2016-02-13 08:52:19
Document Index: 602779301

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 305', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', 'art 305', 'art 305', 'arts 301', 'art 305', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', 'art 305', '§ 319', '§ 319', 'art 305', 'art 305', '§ 305', 'art 319']

SummaryWe are proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of avocados from continental Spain (excluding the Balaeric Islands and Canary Islands) into the United States. As a condition of entry, avocados from Spain would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that would include requirements for importation in commercial consignments; registration and monitoring of places of production and packinghouses; grove sanitation; and inspection for quarantine pests by the national plant protection organization of Spain. Consignments of avocados other than the Hass variety would also have to be treated for the Mediterranean fruit fly either prior to moving to the United States or upon arrival prior to release. Consignments would also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown and inspected and found to be free of pests in accordance with the proposed requirements. This action would allow for the importation of avocados from Spain into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
DatesWe will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 1, 2013.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0002-0001. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0002, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0002 or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.
For Further Information ContactMs. Meredith Jones, Regulatory Coordination Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2289.
Supplementary InformationBackgroundThe regulations in “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-57, referred to below as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States.
As part of our evaluation of Spain's request, we prepared a pest risk assessment (PRA), titled “Importation of Fresh Avocado, Persea americana Miller, from Continental Spain into the United States, Including Hawaii and U.S. Territories” (November 2011). The PRA evaluated the risks associated with the importation of avocados into the United States from Spain. Copies of the PRA may be obtained from the person listed underFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTor viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (seeADDRESSESabove for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
APHIS has determined that measures beyond standard port-of-entry inspection are required to mitigate the risks posed by this plant pest. To recommend specific measures to mitigate those risks, we prepared a risk management document (RMD). Copies of the RMD may be obtained from the person listed underFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTor viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (seeADDRESSESabove for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
Based on the recommendations of the RMD, we are proposing to allow the importation of avocados from continental Spain into the United States only if they are produced in accordance with a systems approach. We would allow importation of untreated Hass avocados based on our finding (1)
that Hass avocados on the tree are not a host to Medfly. We would allow importation of other varieties of avocado if they are treated for Medfly. The systems approach we are proposing would require: Registration, monitoring, and oversight of places of production;
Inspection by the NPPO of Spain for Medfly; and
Cold treatment for avocado varieties other than Hass.Additionally, all avocados from Spain would also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Spain. The phytosanitary certificate accompanying Hass variety avocados would have to contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata. The phytosanitary certificate accompanying non-Hass avocados would have to contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata, and, if treated prior to export, that the consignment has been treated for C. capitata in accordance with 7 CFR part 305.
We are proposing to add the systems approach to the regulations in a new § 319.56-58 governing the importation of avocados from continental Spain into the United States. The mitigation measures in the proposed systems approach are discussed in greater detail below.Proposed Systems ApproachGeneral RequirementsParagraph (a) of § 319.56-58 would set out general requirements for the NPPO of Spain and for growers and packers producing avocados for export to the United States.
Paragraph (a)(1) would require the NPPO of Spain to provide a workplan to APHIS that details the activities that the NPPO of Spain will, subject to APHIS' approval of the workplan, carry out to meet the requirements of proposed § 319.56-58. As described in a notice we published on May 10, 2006, in theFederal Register(71 FR 27221-27224, Docket No. APHIS-2005-0085), a bilateral workplan is an agreement between APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine program, officials of the NPPO of a foreign government, and, when necessary, foreign commercial entities that specifies in detail the phytosanitary measures that will comply with our regulations governing the import or export of a specific commodity. Bilateral workplans apply only to the signatory parties and establish detailed procedures and guidance for the day-to-day operations of specific import/export programs. Bilateral workplans also establish how specific phytosanitary issues are dealt with in the exporting country and make clear who is responsible for dealing with those issues. The implementation of a systems approach typically requires a bilateral workplan to be developed.
Paragraph (a)(5) would require that avocados other than Hass variety from continental Spain must be treated for C. capitata in accordance with 7 CFR part 305. This treatment could occur prior to export to the United States, or upon arrival (2)
prior to release. This requirement would mitigate the greater vulnerability of non-Hass avocados to attack by C. capitata. The regulations in part 305 set out standards and schedules for treatments (3)
required in 7 CFR parts 301, 318, and 319 to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests or noxious weeds into or through the United States through the importation or movement of fruits, vegetables, and other articles. Therefore, we are proposing to refer to 7 CFR part 305 for an approved treatment for C. capitata for avocados from continental Spain.Monitoring and OversightThe systems approach we are proposing includes monitoring and oversight requirements in paragraph (b) of proposed § 319.56-58 to ensure that the required phytosanitary measures are properly implemented throughout the process of growing and packing of avocados for export to the United States.
Under paragraph (b)(3), if the NPPO of Spain finds that a place of production or a packinghouse is not complying with the proposed regulations, no fruit from the place of production or packinghouse would be eligible for export to the United States until APHIS and the NPPO of Spain conduct an investigation and appropriate remedial actions have been implemented.
Paragraph (b)(4) would require the NPPO of Spain to retain all forms and documents related to export program activities in groves and packinghouses for at least 1 year and, as requested, provide them to APHIS for review.Grove SanitationUnder paragraph (c) of proposed § 319.56-58, avocado fruit that has fallen from the trees would have to be removed from each place of production at least once every 7 days, starting 2 months before harvest and continuing to the end of harvest. This procedure would reduce the amount of material in the groves that could serve as potential host material for C. capitata. Avocado fruit of any variety that has fallen from avocado trees to the ground may be damaged and thus more susceptible to infestation by C. capitata, and even the normally resistant Hass variety may become infested under these circumstances. Therefore, proposed paragraph (c) would not allow fallen avocado fruit to be included in field containers of fruit brought to the packinghouse to be packed for export.Harvesting RequirementsParagraph (d) of proposed § 319.56-58 sets out requirements for harvesting. Harvested avocados would have to be placed in field cartons or containers that are marked with the official registration number of the place of production. The place of production where the avocados were grown would have to remain identifiable when the fruit leaves the grove, at the packinghouse, and throughout the export process. These requirements would ensure that APHIS and the NPPO of Spain could identify the place of production where the avocados were produced if inspectors find Medflies in the fruit either before export or at the port of entry.
We would require the fruit to be moved to a registered packinghouse within 3 hours of harvest or to be protected from fruit fly infestation until moved. The fruit would have to be safeguarded by an insect-proof screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. These requirements would prevent the fruit from being infested by fruit flies between harvest and packing.Packinghouse RequirementsWe are proposing several requirements for fruit origin and packinghouse activities, which would be contained in paragraph (e) of proposed § 319.56-58.
Paragraph (e)(6) would require shipping documents accompanying consignments of avocados from continental Spain that are exported to the United States to include the official registration number of the place of production at which the avocados were grown and to identify the packing shed or sheds in which the fruit was processed and packed. This identification would have to be maintained until the fruit is released for entry into the United States. These requirements would ensure that APHIS and the NPPO of Spain could identify the packinghouse at which the fruit was packed if inspectors find C. capitata in the fruit either before export or at the port of entry.Inspection by the NPPO of SpainTo ensure that the mitigations required in the systems approach are effective at producing fruit free of quarantine pests, paragraph (f) of proposed § 319.56-58 would require inspectors from the NPPO of Spain to inspect a biometric sample from each place of production at a rate to be determined by APHIS. The inspectors would have to visually inspect the fruit and a portion of the fruit would be cut open to inspect for internal stages of C. capitata. If C. capitata is detected in this inspection, the place of production where the infested avocados were grown would immediately be suspended from the export program until an investigation has been conducted by APHIS and the NPPO of Spain and appropriate mitigations have been implemented.Phytosanitary CertificateTo certify that the avocados from continental Spain have been grown and packed in accordance with the requirements of proposed § 319.56-58, proposed paragraph (g) would require each consignment of avocados imported from Spain into the United States to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Spain. The phytosanitary certificate accompanying Hass variety avocados would have to contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados are Hass variety and were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata. The phytosanitary certificate accompanying non-Hass avocados would have to contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata and, if treated prior to export, that the consignment has been treated for C. capitata in accordance with 7 CFR part 305.Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility ActThis proposed rule has been has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
The NPPO of Spain has requested that APHIS authorize market access forcommercial shipments of fresh avocados into the United States for domestic consumption. APHIS is proposing to grant this request if Spain produces the avocados in accordance with a systems approach intended to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests.
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.Executive Order 12988This proposed rule would allow avocados to be imported into the United States from continental Spain. If this proposed rule is adopted, State and local laws and regulations regarding avocados imported under this rule would be preempted while the fruit is in foreign commerce. Fresh avocados are generally imported for immediate distribution and sale to the consuming public and would remain in foreign commerce until sold to the ultimate consumer. The question of when foreign commerce ceases in other cases must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. If this proposed rule is adopted, no retroactive effect will be given to this rule, and this rule will not require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.Paperwork Reduction ActIn accordance with section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information collection or recordkeeping requirements included in this proposed rule have been submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Please send written comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for APHIS, Washington, DC 20503. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0002. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) Docket No. APHIS-2012-0002, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238, and (2) Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, room 404-W, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this proposed rule.
Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of informationis estimated to average 0.029503 hours per response.
2. Add § 319.56-58 to read as follows:
§ 319.56-58
(6) Shipping documents accompanying consignments of avocados from continental Spain that are exported to the United States must include the official registration number of the place of production at which the avocados were grown and must identify the packing shed or sheds in which the fruit was processed and packed. This identification must be maintained untilthe fruit is released for entry into the United States.
(1) The phytosanitary certificate accompanying Hass variety avocados must contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados are Hass variety and were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata. (2) The phytosanitary certificate accompanying non-Hass avocados must contain an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown in an approved place of production and the consignment has been inspected and found free of C. capitata. If the consignment has been subjected to treatment for C. capitata prior to export in accordance with 7 CFR part 305, the additional declaration must also state this.
[FR Doc. 2013-02017 Filed 1-29-13; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 3410-34-PFootnotes
“Host status of `Hass' avocados to Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann).” Commodity Import Evaluation Document. December 2010. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Regulations, Permits and Manuals, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, Riverdale, MD. 8pp. Available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2010-0127-0002. (2)
Within part 305, § 305.2 provides that approved treatment schedules are set out in the PPQ Treatment Manual, found online at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/treatment.pdf. The manual specifies which treatment schedules are effective in neutralizing C. capitata on avocados.
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed Apr 1 2013, at 11:59 PM ET ID: APHIS-2012-0002-0001 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: Jan 30, 2013RIN: 0579-AD63CFR: 7 CFR Part 319Federal Register Number: 2013-02017 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments23 Comments Received* see attachment View Comment See attached comment from European Union SPS Notification Authority View Comment See Attached Comments View Comment Docket Information This document is contained in APHIS-2012-0002 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: Importation of Avocados from Continental SpainImportation of Avocados from Continental Spain Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!