Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/10/21/2011-27285/specialty-crops-import-regulations-proposed-pistachio-import-requirements
Timestamp: 2015-11-28 13:05:58
Document Index: 392730859

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 999', 'art 999', 'art 983', '§ 999', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 999', 'art 999', '§ 999', '§ 999']

Federal Register | Specialty Crops; Import Regulations; Proposed Pistachio Import Requirements
Dates: Comments must be received by December 20, 2011. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the forms and information collection burden must be received by December 20, 2011.
Comments Close: 12/20/2011
-65419 (9 pages)
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2011-27285 Related Topics
Imported Pistachios—Failed Lot Notification—Form FV-New
This proposed rule would add a new § 999.600 under 7 CFR part 999—Specialty Crops; Import Regulations, and would establish quality requirements for maximum aflatoxin tolerance levels and mandatory testing and certification requirements for pistachios offered for importation into the United States. The proposed quality requirements for imported pistachios are the same as or comparable to those established for pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico under Marketing Agreement and Order No. 983 (7 CFR part 983) (order), both as amended.
This proposed rule would also revise § 999.500, which currently specifies safeguard procedures for the importation of walnuts and dates that are exempt from § 8e regulations. This section would be revised to include safeguard procedures for the importation of pistachios intended for exempted purposes.
The presence or absence of aflatoxin is considered a quality characteristic in pistachios
because concerns about aflatoxin contamination can impact consumers' perception of the quality of pistachios, and therefore negatively impact demand. According to research provided by the industry, poor quality pistachios impact demand and the potential growth of demand for pistachios.
Moreover, any market disturbances related to aflatoxin in pistachios, regardless of the origin of those pistachios, could have a detrimental effect on the pistachio industry.
The proposed regulations would establish a maximum aflatoxin tolerance level of 15 ppb for lots of pistachios imported into the U.S. for human consumption. As required under section 8e of the Act, this is the same level currently prescribed for domestic pistachios regulated under the order. Establishing a 15 ppb limit for aflatoxin in all pistachios marketed for human consumption in the United States is expected to bolster overall consumer confidence in pistachio quality and strengthen the demand for pistachios. Comparatively, the international Codex Alimentarius Commission's (Codex) maximum aflatoxin tolerance for pistachios is 10 ppb. The domestic pistachio industry believes that 15 ppb is appropriate to ensure the quality of pistachios sold in U.S. markets,
Research also supports the 15 ppb tolerance.
Additionally, a 15 ppb tolerance for aflatoxin in domestic and imported pistachios is consistent with existing regulations for all domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States, for which USDA has established a 15 ppb aflatoxin tolerance.
For lots of more than 4,400 lbs, two test samples would be prepared. If the first sample has an aflatoxin level at or below 10 ppb, the lot could be certified as negative for aflatoxin on the aflatoxin inspection certificate. Analysis of the other test sample would be unnecessary. If the aflatoxin level of the first test sample is above 20 ppb, the lot fails, and the laboratory would fill out a failed lot notification report for submission to the importer, Customs, and USDA. If the aflatoxin level of the first test sample is higher than 10 ppb and at or below 20 ppb, the importer could elect to test the second sample or rework the lot and resubmit it for testing. If the importer chooses to proceed with testing the second sample, the results from testing both samples would be averaged. If the average results are at or below 15 ppb, the lot may be certified negative for aflatoxin. If the average results are higher than 15 ppb, the lot fails and the accredited lab would submit a failed lot notification report to the importer, Customs, and USDA. If the importer chooses to rework the lot after the first sample is analyzed, the lot would again be subject to sampling and testing as if it were a new lot.
If an aflatoxin inspection certificate is issued certifying that a lot is negative for aflatoxin at any stage of the sequential testing (meaning that the lot's aflatoxin content is below the maximum threshold), the certification would state that the lot meets the § 8e import aflatoxin requirements. The certification would expire after 12 months.
The provisions of this proposed rule would establish maximum aflatoxin tolerance levels and mandatory testing and certification requirements for lots of pistachios offered for importation into the United States. The proposed import quality requirements would be implemented in accordance with section 8e of the Act. These provisions are intended to ensure that pistachios imported into the United States for the purposes of domestic human consumption are of a quality comparable to those pistachios regulated under Marketing Order No. 983 and contain no more than 15 ppb of aflatoxin.
The proposed import aflatoxin testing and certification requirements are the same as or comparable to those implemented under the order regulating the handling of pistachios grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Pistachios failing to meet the aflatoxin requirements on initial analysis could be reworked and retested, exported to another destination with a higher aflatoxin tolerance, or disposed of in authorized outlets under the supervision of Customs, with assistance from the inspection service if necessary, to verify proper disposal of substandard nuts. Procedures for these activities also are proposed. Lots of imported pistachios that fail aflatoxin testing could be diverted to certain non-human consumption outlets and would be subject to the safeguard provisions of § 999.500. Some reporting and recordkeeping requirements also are proposed in the pistachio import regulation. These requirements also are the same as or comparable to those implemented under the order.
Regarding the impact of this proposed rule on affected entities, this proposal would establish an import regulation for pistachios as provided in section 8e of the Act. The proposed import regulation would require importers to arrange for the testing and certification of all imports of pistachios for human consumption prior to importation. There would be some increased costs to importers associated with the testing and certification of imported product. However, it is expected that consumer satisfaction, and therefore demand, would be increased by regulating imports and domestic product uniformly. The additional costs are expected to be offset by the benefits of supplying the U.S. marketplace with only high quality pistachios. As mentioned above, the proposed import regulations are the same as or comparable to those established for U.S. domestic pistachio shipments. The domestic industry recently adopted aflatoxin sampling and testing procedures that align with the Codex Alimentarius Commission's (Codex) sampling plan (75 FR 43045; July 23, 2010). The Codex sampling plan is used by the European Commission as its regulation for the importation of tree nuts into the European Union. Thus, the proposed import regulations are comparable to those widely recognized by international pistachio markets.
Additionally, except for the applicable domestic regulations, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule.
Safeguard procedures in the form of importer and receiver reporting requirements would be used to ensure that shipments of pistachios exempt from the import regulations are disposed of only in authorized exempt outlets. Under the proposed import regulations, importers of exempt imported pistachios would be required to complete and submit, prior to importation, an Importer's Exempt Commodity Form (FV-6). Form FV-6 would be used for tracking pistachios marketed for exempted uses that do not meet requirements for human consumption. Form FV-6 is an electronic form available through AMS, is used by importers of other commodities to report imports of exempted products, and is already approved by OMB through December 31, 2011 (OMB Control Number 0581-0167—Specified Commodities Imported into the United States Exempt From Import Regulations). Importers and receivers register as users of the electronic form and then are granted access to the reporting system. Receivers use the same system to certify that the commodity has been received and that it will be utilized for authorized exempt purposes.
Imported Pistachios—Failed Lot Notification—Form FV-New Back to Top
Imported Pistachios—Rework and Failed Lot Disposition Report—Form FV-New Back to Top
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 999 Back to Top
3. Add § 999.600 to read as follows:
Table 1—Inshell Pistachio Lot Sampling Increments for Aflatoxin Certification Back to Top
Minimum number of incremental
the lot sample
Table 2—Shelled Pistachio Kernel Lot Sampling Increments for Aflatoxin Certification Back to Top
samples for the lot sample
(i) Exemptions. Any importer may import pistachios free of the requirements of this section if such importer imports a quantity not exceeding a total of 5,000 dried pounds between September 1 and August 31 of each year. Substandard pistachios imported for use in non-human consumption outlets shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 999.500.
(n) Other import requirements. The provisions of this section do not supersede any restrictions or prohibitions on pistachios under the Federal Plant Quarantine Act of 1912,or any other applicable laws or regulations of city, county, State, or Federal Agencies including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.