Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/12/31/2013-31144/importation-of-fresh-blueberry-fruit-from-morocco-into-the-continental-united-states
Timestamp: 2018-04-24 05:14:08
Document Index: 758157006

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009319', '§\u2009319', '§\u2009319', 'art 305', 'art 305', '§\u2009305', 'art 305', '§\u2009319', '§\u2009319', '§\u2009319']

Federal Register :: Importation of Fresh Blueberry Fruit From Morocco Into the Continental United States
79634-79636 (3 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-31144 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-31144
We are proposing to amend the regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of fresh blueberry fruit from Morocco into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, the blueberries would have to be produced under a systems approach employing a combination of mitigation measures for two quarantine pests, Ceratitis capitata and Monilinia fructigena, and would have to be inspected prior to exportation from Morocco and found free of these pests. The blueberries would have to be imported in commercial consignments only and would have to be treated with one of two approved postharvest treatments to mitigate the risk of C. capitata. The blueberries would also have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the conditions for importation have been met. This action would allow the importation of blueberries from Morocco while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2013-0016, 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-2013-0016 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.
Ms. Dorothy Wayson, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2036.
The regulations in “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-62, 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.
According to our PRA, both pests are rated high risk. Pests with high pest risk potential generally require measures in addition to inspection at the port of entry to mitigate risk. To recommend specific measures to mitigate the risk posed by the pests identified in the PRA, we prepared a risk management document (RMD). Copies of the PRA and RMD may be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
Based on the recommendations of the RMD, we are proposing to allow the importation of blueberries from Morocco into the continental United States only if they are produced in accordance with a systems approach. The systems approach we are proposing would require that blueberries be imported only under the conditions described below. These conditions would be added to the regulations in a new § 319.56-63.
Proposed paragraph (a) of § 319.56-63 would state that blueberries from Morocco may be imported in commercial consignments only. Produce grown commercially is less likely to be infested with plant pests than noncommercial shipments. Noncommercial shipments are more prone to infestations because the commodity is often ripe to overripe, could be of a variety with unknown susceptibility to pests, and is often grown with little or no pest control. Commercial consignments, as defined in § 319.56-2, are consignments that an inspector identifies as having been imported for sale and distribution. Such identification is based on a variety of indicators, including, but not limited to: Quantity of produce, type of packaging, identification of grower or packinghouse on the packaging, and documents consigning the fruits or vegetables to a wholesaler or retailer.
Paragraph (b) would require blueberries to be grown at places of production that are registered with the NPPO of Morocco. Registering places of production would allow APHIS and the NPPO of Morocco to trace back consignments of blueberries to the orchard of origin if a pest or disease of concern is detected after harvest.
Accordingly, paragraph (d) would require that each consignment of blueberries be treated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305 for C. capitata with one of the two above-mentioned treatment methods. Within part 305, § 305.2 provides that approved treatment schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, found online at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/treatment.pdf. Treatments would also be conducted in accordance with the other requirements of part 305.
Paragraph (e) of § 319.56-63 would require each consignment of blueberries imported from Morocco into the continental United States to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Morocco with an additional declaration stating that the requirements of § 319.56-63 have been met and the consignment has been inspected and found free of M. fructigena.
Under the general conditions for the importation of fruits and vegetables in § 319.56-3, each consignment of blueberries would be subject to further inspection at the port of entry into the United States.
This proposed rule would allow fresh blueberry fruit to be imported into the continental United States from Morocco. If this proposed rule is adopted, State and local laws and regulations regarding blueberries imported under this rule would be preempted while the fruit is in foreign commerce. Fresh fruits 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.
In 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-2013-0016. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) APHIS, using one of the methods described under ADDRESSES at the beginning of this document, 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.
[FR Doc. 2013-31144 Filed 12-30-13; 8:45 am]