International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities, 54420-54426 [E7-18877]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54420-54426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18877]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0085]


International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 
Activities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the 
Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade, we are informing the public of international standard-
setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the 
North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting 
public comment on the standards to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http: //www.regulations.gov, select 
``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
APHIS-2007-0085 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing 
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close 
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' 
link.
    Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your 
comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0085, 
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0085.
    Reading Room: 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.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Mr. John Greifer, Director, SPS 
Management Team, International Services, APHIS, room 1132, South 
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,Washington, DC 20250; 
(202) 720-7677.
    For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of 
the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David, 
Director, Sanitary International Standards Team, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 734-5324.
    For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities 
of the International Plant Protection Convention or the North American 
Plant Protection Organization, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga, Program 
Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-0763.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common 
international institutional framework for governing trade relations 
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. 
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress 
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), 
which was signed into law by the President on December 8, 1994. The WTO 
Agreements, which established the WTO, entered into force with respect 
to the United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements 
Act amended Title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 
2531 et seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as 
amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency 
to be responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international 
standard-setting organization. The designated agency must inform the 
public by publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that 
provides the following information: (1) The SPS standards under 
consideration or planned for consideration by the international 
standard-setting organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, 
a description of the consideration or planned consideration of that 
standard, a statement of whether the United States is participating or 
plans to participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda 
for U.S. participation, if any, and the agency responsible for 
representing the United States with respect to that standard.
    International Standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any 
standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed 
under the auspices of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, 
formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) regarding 
animal health and zoonoses; (3) developed under the auspices of the 
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in 
cooperation with the North American Plant Protection Organization 
(NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) established by or developed 
under any other international organization agreed to by the member 
countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the 
member countries of the WTO.
    The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 
(60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official 
responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department 
of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities, and USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public 
of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform 
the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was 
created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. It is 
the major international organization for encouraging international 
trade in food and protecting the health and economic interests of 
consumers.
    APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, 
and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and 
animal health and representing the United States with respect to these 
standards. Following are descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO 
organizations and the standard-setting agenda for each of these 
organizations. We have described the agenda that each of these 
organizations will address at their annual general sessions, including

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standards that may be presented for adoption or consideration, as well 
as other initiatives that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.
    The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft 
standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed 
and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of 
the United States to support adoption of international standards and to 
participate actively and fully in their development, it should be 
recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will 
depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and 
interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any 
persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific 
draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting 
issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be 
under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at 
the beginning of this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

OIE Standard-Setting Activities

    The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing 
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed 
of 169 member nations, each of which is represented by a delegate who, 
in most cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country. The WTO 
has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting animal 
health standards, reporting global animal disease events, and 
presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary measures relating 
to animal health.
    The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the 
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research 
among its members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and 
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal 
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern 
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to 
achieve these through the development and revision of international 
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international 
trade of animals and animal products.
    The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of 
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of Member countries for 
certain diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their 
international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease 
status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to Member 
countries. Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the 
development and preparation of draft standards, which are then 
circulated to Member countries for consultation (review and comment). 
Draft standards are revised accordingly and are then presented to the 
OIE International Committee (all the Member countries) during the 
General Session, which meets annually every May, for review and 
adoption. Adoption, as a general rule, is based on consensus of the OIE 
membership.
    The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 25-30, 2008, in 
Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator of APHIS Veterinary 
Services is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. The Deputy 
Administrator of APHIS intends to participate in the proceedings and 
will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standard up for 
adoption. Information about OIE draft Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be found on the Internet at 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/oie/ or by contacting Dr. Michael 
David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices Adopted

1. Chapter 2.2.10, Foot and Mouth Disease

    Guidelines for quicker recovery of status after an outbreak, and 
the concept of ``containment zone'' were added.

2. Chapter 2.2.12, Rinderpest, and Appendix 3.8.2, Surveillance for 
Rinderpest

    The Code Chapter and surveillance appendix were adopted as proposed 
in order to assist several African countries.

3. Chapter 2.2.13, Bluetongue

    Minor updates were made to this chapter.

4. Chapter 2.3.13., Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

    This chapter received only minor changes this year. Specifically, 
for countries that are classified as ``negligible'' risk for BSE, but 
which have had an indigenous case, live cattle and meat-and-bone meal 
(MBM) should not be traded if the cattle were born or the MBM was 
produced prior to the implementation of an effective ruminant-to-
ruminant feed ban.

5. Section 2.5, Equine Disease

    The following Code chapters were updated:
    Chapter 2.5.4, Equine infectious anemia; Chapter 2.5.5, Equine 
influenza; Chapter 2.5.6, Equine piroplasmosis; Chapter 2.5.7, Equine 
rhinopneumonitis; Chapter 2.5.8, Glanders; and Chapter 2.5.10, Equine 
viral arteritis.

6. Chapter 2.7.12, Avian Influenza

    This chapter received only a few changes this year. Backyard 
poultry and fighting cocks were included in the definition of 
``poultry.'' In addition, the OIE made it explicit that countries 
should not impose immediate trade bans when a country reports the 
detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds.

7. Appendix 3.2.1, Bovine and small ruminant semen

    The requirement to test for Border disease in sheep was 
reinstituted.

8. Appendix 3.6.6, General guidelines for the disposal of dead animals

    Minor changes were made to this appendix.

9. Appendix 3.7.2, Guidelines for the transport of animals by sea; 
Appendix 3.7.3, Guidelines for the transport of animals by land; 
Appendix 3.7.5, Guidelines for the slaughter of animals; and Appendix 
3.7.6, Guidelines for the killing of animals for disease control

    These guidelines were updated.

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters Up for Adoption

    Existing Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapters that may be 
revised and new chapters that may be drafted in preparation for the 
next General Session in 2008 include the following:

1. Chapter 1.3.5, Zoning and compartmentalization

    These guidelines were refined to clarify some of the basic criteria 
required to ensure the integrity of a compartment. A checklist on the 
practical application of compartmentalization for avian influenza and 
Newcastle diseases was distributed.

2. Chapter 2.5.14, African horse sickness

    This is a new chapter that contains draft guidelines provided by 
the Scientific Commission. It is being circulated to Member countries 
for comment.

3. Chapter 2.6.6, African swine fever

    This new chapter replaces the existing Chapter.

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4. Chapter 2.6.7, Classical swine fever; and Appendix 3.8.8, Guidelines 
for the surveillance of classical swine fever

    This chapter and appendix have been extensively rewritten, are 
being circulated for comment, and will be submitted for adoption in 
2008.

5. Chapter 2.7.13, Newcastle disease, and Appendix 3.8.X, Guidelines 
for the surveillance of Newcastle disease

    This draft appendix defines the principles and provides a guide for 
the surveillance of Newcastle disease.

6. Appendix 3.10.2, Guidelines for the detection, control, and 
prevention of Salmonella enteritidis and S. typimurium in poultry 
producing eggs for human consumption

    This appendix represents an ongoing complete redrafting of a 
current OIE Code Chapter. It is being circulated for comment.

7. Draft Appendix, General principles of identification and 
traceability of live animals

    This is a new appendix that provides that animals and products of 
animal origin should be traceable throughout the animal production and 
food chain, within the scope of relevant OIE and Codex Alimentarius 
standards.

8. Draft Guidelines for the control of biological hazards of animal 
health and public health importance through ante- and post-mortem meat 
inspection

    These new guidelines provide guidance on animal feeding in relation 
to animal health. They complement the guidance provided by the Codex 
Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding (CAC/RCP 54-2004), which deals 
primarily with food safety.

9. Draft Guidelines on dog population control

    These guidelines will form a new chapter that provides for control 
of stray and feral dog populations.

Code Commission Future Work Program

    During the next year, the OIE Code Commission is expected to 
address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of experts to 
update and/or develop standards for the following issues:
    1. The harvesting and culling of wildlife.
    2. Laboratory animal welfare.
    3. Bovine brucellosis.

OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices up for Adoption

    Existing Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters that may be revised 
and new chapters and appendices that have been drafted in preparation 
for the 2008 General Session include:
    Chapter 2.3.7, Crayfish Plague; Chapter 2.3.9, Infectious 
Myonecrosis; Chapter 2.3.10, Necrotising Hepatopancreatitis; Chapter 
2.3.11, White Tail Disease; Chapter 2.3.12, Hepatopancreatic Parvovirus 
Disease; Chapter 2.3.13, Mourilyan Virus Disease; General Guidelines 
for Aquatic Animal Health Surveillance; and Guidelines for the Control 
of Aquatic Animal Health Hazards in Aquatic Animal Feeds.

OIE Aquatic Animal Commission Future Work Program

    During the next few years, the OIE Aquatic Animal Commission is 
expected to address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of 
experts to update and/or develop standards for the following issues:
    1. Diseases of amphibians.
    2. Biosecurity procedures.

The Process

    The OIE Code chapters are drafted (or revised) by either the Code 
Commission or by ad hoc groups composed of technical experts nominated 
by the Director General of the OIE by virtue of their subject-area 
expertise. Once a new chapter is drafted or an existing one is revised, 
the chapter is distributed to Member countries for review and comment. 
The OIE attempts to provide proposed chapters by late October to allow 
Member countries sufficient time for comment. Comments are due by early 
February of the following year. The draft standard is revised by the 
OIE Code Commission on the basis of relevant scientific comments 
received from Member countries.
    The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to review and, where 
appropriate, comment on all draft chapters and revisions once it 
receives them from the OIE. USDA/APHIS intends to distribute these 
drafts to the U.S. livestock and aquaculture industries, veterinary 
experts in various U.S. academic institutions, and other interested 
persons for review and comment. Additional information regarding these 
draft standards may be obtained by contacting Dr. Michael David (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    Generally, if a country has concerns with a particular draft 
standard, and supports those concerns with sound technical information, 
the pertinent OIE Code Commission will revise that standard accordingly 
and present the revised draft for adoption at the General Session in 
May. In the event that a country's concerns regarding a draft standard 
are not taken into account, that country may refuse to support the 
standard when it comes up for adoption at the General Session. However, 
each Member country is obligated to review and comment on proposed 
standards, and make decisions regarding the adoption of those 
standards, strictly on their scientific merits.

Other OIE Topics

    Every year at the General Session, at least one technical item is 
presented. For the May 2008 General Session, the following technical 
item will be presented:
    1. Integrating small farmers in animal health programs.
    The information in this notice includes all the information 
available to us on OIE standards currently under development or 
consideration. Information on OIE standards is available on the 
Internet at https://www.oie.int. Further, a formal agenda for the next 
General Session should be available to Member countries by March 2008, 
and copies will be available to the public once the agenda is 
published. For the most current information on meeting times, working 
groups, and/or meeting agendas, including information on official U.S. 
participation in OIE activities and U.S. positions on standards being 
considered, contact Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any areas of work 
under the OIE may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see 
ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Dr. Michael David.

IPPC Standard-Setting Activities

    The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the 
purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread 
and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote 
appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the 
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, 
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants 
from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities addressed by 
the IPPC include the development and establishment of international 
plant health standards, the harmonization of phytosanitary activities 
through emerging standards, the facilitation of

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the exchange of official and scientific information among countries, 
and the furnishing of technical assistance to developing countries that 
are signatories to the IPPC.
    The IPPC is under the authority of the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), and the members of the Secretariat of the IPPC are 
appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is implemented by national plant 
protection organizations in cooperation with regional plant protection 
organizations; the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures ((CPM), 
formerly referred to as the International Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (ICPM)); and the Secretariat of the IPPC. The United States 
plays a major role in all standard-setting activities under the IPPC 
and has representation on FAO's highest governing body, the FAO 
Conference.
    The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972 
and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever 
since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered 
into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries 
accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties 
completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the 
FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997 
amendment updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-
setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC 
entered into force after two-thirds of the contracting parties notified 
the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the amendment. The 
U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to acceptance of the newly 
revised IPPC on October 18, 2000. The President submitted the official 
letter of acceptance to the FAO Director General on October 4, 2001.
    The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the 
national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is 
to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United 
States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The steps for developing a 
standard under the revised IPPC are described below.
    Step 1: Proposals for a new international standard for 
phytosanitary measures (ISPM) or for the review or revision of an 
existing ISPM are submitted to the Secretariat of the IPPC in a 
standardized format on a 2-year cycle. Alternatively, the Secretariat 
can propose a new standard or amendments to existing standards.
    Step 2: After review by the Standards Committee and the Strategic 
Planning and Technical Assistance Working Group, a summary of proposals 
is submitted by the Secretariat to the CPM. The CPM identifies the 
topics and priorities for standard setting from among the proposals 
submitted to the Secretariat and others that may be raised by the CPM.
    Step 3: Specifications for the standards identified as priorities 
by the CPM are drafted by the Secretariat. The draft specifications are 
submitted to the Standards Committee for approval/amendment and are 
subsequently made available to members and regional plant protection 
organizations (RPPOs) for comment (60 days). Comments are submitted in 
writing to the Secretariat. Taking into account the comments, the 
Standards Committee finalizes the specifications.
    Step 4: The standard is drafted or revised in accordance with the 
specifications by a working group designated by the Standards 
Committee. The resulting draft standard is submitted to the Standards 
Committee for review.
    Step 5: Draft standards approved by the Standards Committee are 
distributed to members by the Secretariat and RPPOs for consultation 
(100 days). Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Where 
appropriate, the Standards Committee may establish open-ended 
discussion groups as forums for further comment. The Secretariat 
summarizes the comments and submits them to the Standards Committee.
    Step 6: Taking into account the comments, the Secretariat, in 
cooperation with the Standards Committee, revises the draft standard. 
The Standards Committee submits the final version to the CPM for 
adoption.
    Step 7: The ISPM is established through formal adoption by the CPM 
according to Rule X of the Rules of Procedure of the CPM.
    Step 8: Review of the ISPM is completed by the specified date or 
such other date as may be agreed upon by the CPM.
    Each member country is represented on the CPM by a single delegate. 
Although experts and advisers may accompany the delegate to meetings of 
the CPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate) may represent 
each member country in considering a standard up for approval. Parties 
involved in a vote by the CPM are to make every effort to reach 
agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all efforts to reach 
a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a standard be passed 
by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and voting.
    Technical experts from the United States have participated directly 
in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft 
standards. The United States also has a representative on the Standards 
Committee. In addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and 
NAPPO have been sources of significant input for many of the standards 
adopted to date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards 
currently under consideration or up for adoption. The full text of each 
standard will be available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.gov/ppq/
pim/standards/. Interested individuals may review the standards posted 
on this Web site and submit comments via the Web site.
    The next CPM meeting is scheduled for April 7-11, 2008, at FAO 
Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' PPQ 
program is the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy Administrator 
intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment 
on APHIS' position on any standards up for adoption. The provisional 
agenda for the Third Session of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures is as follows:
    1. Opening of the session.
    2. Adoption of the agenda.
    3. Report by the chairperson.
    4. Report by the Secretariat.
    5. Standards up for adoption in 2008.
    6. Items arising from the Second Session of the CPM (see section 
below entitled ``New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in 
Development'' for details).
    7. Work program for harmonization.
    8. Other business.
    9. Date and venue of the next meeting.
    10. Adoption of the report.

IPPC Standards Up for Adoption in 2008

    It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently 
developed to be considered by the CPM for adoption at its 2008 meeting. 
The United States, represented by APHIS' Deputy Administrator for PPQ, 
will participate in the consideration of these standards. The U.S. 
position on each of these issues will be developed prior to the CPM 
session and will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from other 
U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from 
interested stakeholders.

1. Developing a Strategy To Reduce or Replace the Use of Methyl Bromide 
for Phytosanitary Purposes

    This standard provides guidance to national plant protection 
organizations

[[Page 54424]]

(NPPOs) and regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs) in the 
development of a strategy to reduce or replace the use of methyl 
bromide as a phytosanitary measure in order to reduce emissions of 
methyl bromide. The standard outlines areas for action for developing 
and implementing a national strategy on the use of methyl bromide as a 
phytosanitary measure.

2. Establishment of Areas of Low Pest Prevalence for Fruit Flies 
(Tephritidae)

    This standard provides guidelines for the establishment and 
maintenance of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies of economic 
importance (including places and sites of production of low pest 
prevalence) for use as a risk mitigation measure to facilitate trade of 
fruits and vegetables. The decision to create a fruit fly area of low 
pest prevalence (FF-ALPP) for export of a particular host of fruit fly 
is closely linked to trade opportunities and to economic and 
operational feasibility.

3. Sampling of Consignments

    This standard provides guidance in developing sampling design and 
determining sampling frequency that may be used as part of the 
processes used for inspection or for gathering material for testing to 
ensure compliance with phytosanitary requirements.

4. Classification of Commodities into Phytosanitary Risk Categories

    This standard provides guidance on categorizing plant and plant 
product commodities according to their phytosanitary risk. The 
categorization is based on the method and level of processing to which 
a commodity has been subjected and the commodity's intended uses. The 
standard also provides guidance for determining phytosanitary risk 
management measures for each category, as appropriate.

5. Supplement to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms): Debarked 
and Bark-Free Wood

    This supplement provides practical guidance to NPPOs on 
differentiating between debarked wood and bark-free wood, where removal 
of bark is required to reduce the risk of introduction and/or spread of 
quarantine pests associated with bark. This supplement does not specify 
the effectiveness or technical justification of removal of bark.

6. Amendments to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms)

    A. The following terms and definitions will be proposed for 
addition to the glossary of phytosanitary terms in ISPM No. 5:
     Prevalence (of a pest): Proportion of units in a 
population of plants, plant products, or other articles that is 
affected by a pest at a given time, or the level of occurrence of a 
pest in an area at a given time as expressed by a defined index or a 
range of values.
     Tolerance level: Prevalence of a pest that is a threshold 
for action to control that pest or to prevent its spread or 
introduction.
    B. The following term and definition will be proposed to be changed 
as follows:
     Beneficial organisms: Any organism directly or indirectly 
advantageous to plants or plant products, including biological control 
agents and sterile insects.
    C. The following terms will be proposed for deletion:
     Authority
     Biological pesticide (biopesticide)
     Classical biological control, introduction (of a 
biological control agent), and establishment (of a biological control 
agent)
     Exotic
     Import permit (of a biological control agent)
     Micro-organism
     Specificity

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group meetings or other technical 
consultations will take place during 2007 and 2008 on the topics listed 
below. These standard-setting initiatives were not completed before 
April 2007 and, therefore, will not be ready for adoption at the 2008 
CPM session. Nonetheless, APHIS intends to participate actively and 
fully in each of these working groups. The U.S. position on each of the 
topics to be addressed by these various working groups will be 
developed prior to these working group meetings and will be based on 
APHIS' technical analysis, information from other U.S. Government 
agencies, and relevant scientific information from interested 
stakeholders.

1. Supplement to ISPM No. 11 (Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests 
including analysis of environmental risks and living modified 
organisms): Appropriate Level of Protection

    The appropriate level of protection is a concept established beyond 
the scope and legal competence of the IPPC. Therefore, these guidelines 
focus primarily on promoting consistency in the development and use of 
phytosanitary measures.

2. Draft Supplement to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of phytosanitary terms): 
Guidelines for the Interpretation and Application of the Term ``Not 
Widely Distributed'' in Relation to Quarantine Pests

    This supplement provides guidance on the interpretation and 
application of the term ``not widely distributed'' in the context of 
the decision on whether a pest qualifies as a quarantine pest.

3. Systems Approach(es) for Pest Risk Management of Fruit Flies 
(Tephritidae)

    This standard provides guidelines for the establishment and use of 
systems approach(es) as an option for pest risk management of fruit 
flies to facilitate trade of fruits. The standard applies to fruit 
flies (Tephritidae) of economic importance.

4. Revisions of ISPMs No. 7 and 12

    Currently there are two ISPMs dealing with export: ISPM No. 7 
(Export certification system) and ISPM No. 12 (Guidelines for 
phytosanitary certificates). These standards briefly describe the 
procedure to follow in case of re-export and transit shipments 
requiring phytosanitary certification. As international trade has 
expanded and means of conveyance have diversified, the need has arisen 
to provide clearer guidance on re-export and transit phytosanitary 
certification. In addition, concepts in these standards will be made 
consistent with other existing standards.
    For more detailed information on the above topics, which will be 
addressed by various working groups established by the CPM, contact Ms. 
Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    APHIS posts draft standards on the Internet (https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/) as they become available and 
provides information on the due dates for comments. Additional 
information on IPPC standards is available on the FAO's Web site at 
https://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.htm. For the most current 
information on official U.S. participation in IPPC activities, 
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, contact Ms. 
Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those 
wishing to provide comments on any of the areas of work being 
undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by responding to this 
notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Ms. 
Aliaga.

NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the

[[Page 54425]]

IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United States, and 
Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, establishment, 
and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating intra- and inter-
regional trade. NAPPO conducts its business through panels and annual 
meetings held among the three member countries. The NAPPO Executive 
Committee charges individual panels with the responsibility for drawing 
up proposals for NAPPO positions, policies, and standards. These panels 
are made up of representatives from each member country who have 
scientific expertise related to the policy or standard being 
considered. Proposals drawn up by the individual panels are circulated 
for review to Government and industry officials in Canada, Mexico, and 
the United States, who may suggest revisions. In the United States, 
draft standards are circulated to industry, States, and various 
Government agencies for consideration and comment. The draft standards 
are posted on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/
standards/; interested persons may submit comments via that Web site. 
Once revisions are made, the proposal is sent to the NAPPO working 
group and the NAPPO standards panel for technical reviews, and then to 
the Executive Committee for final approval, which is granted by 
consensus.
    The annual NAPPO meeting is scheduled for October 22-26, 2007, in 
St. John's Newfoundland-Labrador, Canada. The NAPPO Executive Committee 
meeting will take place on October 22, 2007, and a special session will 
be held on October 23, 2007, to solicit comment from industry groups so 
that suggestions can be incorporated into the NAPPO work plan for the 
2008 NAPPO year. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ is a member of the 
NAPPO Executive Committee. The Deputy Administrator intends to 
participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' 
position on any standard up for adoption or any proposals to develop 
new standards.
    The work plan for 2007 was established after the October 2006 
Annual Meeting in Fort McDowell, Arizona. The Deputy Administrator for 
PPQ participated in establishing this NAPPO work plan (see panel 
assignments below). Below is a summary of current panel assignments as 
they relate to the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United 
States(i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to participate actively and fully in 
the work of each of these panels. The U.S. position on each topic will 
be guided and informed by the best scientific information available on 
each of these topics. For each of the following panels, the United 
States will consider its position on any draft standard after it 
reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding the following NAPPO 
panel topics, assignments, activities, and updates on meeting times and 
locations may be obtained from the NAPPO homepage at https://
www.nappo.org or by contacting Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above).

1. Accreditation Panel

    The panel will conduct an in-depth audit of the Canadian system to 
comply with RSPM No. 8 (The Accreditation of Individuals to Sign 
Federal Phytosanitary Certificates).

2. Biological Control Panel

    The panel will complete a NAPPO discussion paper on taxonomic 
expertise in biological control activities. The panel will review RSPM 
No. 7 (Guidelines for Petition for Release of Exotic Phytophagous 
Agents for the Biological Control of Weeds), and RSPM No. 12 
(Guidelines for Petition for Release of Exotic Entomophagous Agents for 
the Biological Control of Pests), to determine whether they should be 
archived, in light of revisions to ISPM No. 3 (Guidelines for the 
export, shipment, import and release of biological control agents and 
other beneficial organisms).

3. Biotechnology Panel

    This panel will continue to develop a NAPPO standard for the 
importation of transgenic plants into NAPPO member countries. The 
standard review of products of biotechnology focuses on the assessment 
of the potential for the new trait to increase the risk the plant could 
pose to other plants in agriculture or the broader environment.

4. Citrus Panel

    The panel will review the citrus production programs in States 
where Mexico and the United States share borders for compliance with 
RSPM No. 16 (Guidelines for the Importation of Citrus Propagative 
Material into a NAPPO Member Country), and RSPM No. 24 (Integrated Pest 
Risk Management Measures for the Importation of Plants for Planting 
into NAPPO Member Countries), with the goal of developing regionally 
harmonized nursery certification programs for citrus nursery stock. The 
panel is also charged with exchanging technical information on emerging 
citrus pests such as citrus greening.

5. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Panel

    This panel will conduct a pilot project for electronic 
phytosanitary certification within the NAPPO region.

6. Forestry Panel

    This panel will draft a NAPPO standard on preventing the entry of 
asian gypsy moth into North America. It will continue to provide 
leadership in the design and delivery of NAPPO workshops on the 
implementation of ISPM No. 15 (Guidelines for regulating wood packaging 
material in international trade). The panel will investigate and report 
on the technical impacts of Phytophthora ramorum on conifer forests, 
and analyze collected data and report on the incidence of pests 
associated with bark on wood packaging that has been marked according 
to ISPM No. 15.
    In addition, the panel will provide technical support to the IPPC 
(International Forest Quarantine Research Group and Technical Panel on 
Forest Quarantine), particularly with regard to the risks associated 
with bark on treated wood packaging.

7. Fruit Panel

    The panel will develop a NAPPO standard on accreditation of 
laboratories for diagnostics of fruit pests and develop a NAPPO 
standard on equivalence in the application of detection and 
identification tools for fruit pests, including guidelines for quality 
control.

8. Fruit Tree Panel

    The panel will finalize the bacteria and fungi appendices for RSPM 
No. 25 (Guidelines for International Movement of Pome and Stone Fruit 
Trees into a NAPPO Member Country), and will begin to work on the 
insect and nematode appendices. The panel will update the appendix on 
viruses in RSPM No. 25 with additions or changes, host and literature 
references.

9. Grains Panel

    This panel, in collaboration with the Pest Risk Analysis Panel, 
will review the latest scientific information on Karnal bunt, Tilletia 
indica. The panel will develop recommended actions to harmonize the 
management of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrizi) in NAPPO member 
countries. In addition, the panel will develop a NAPPO strategic plan 
to prepare for the possible arrival of new races of black stem rust of 
wheat, such as Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, race TTKS, based on the 
pest risk assessment prepared by the NAPPO Pest Risk Analysis Panel.

[[Page 54426]]

10. Grapevine Panel

    The panel will complete the appendices of significant arthropod and 
nematode pests of grapevines for RSPM No. 15 (Guidelines for the 
Importation of Grapevines into a NAPPO Member Country). The panel will 
begin to work on the bacteria and fungi appendices for RSPM No. 15 and 
update the appendix on viruses.

11. Invasive Species Panel

    This panel will define the scope of invasive alien species in the 
context of NAPPO and will begin development of a NAPPO standard for 
evaluating the potential invasiveness of plants for planting. The panel 
will also begin development of a NAPPO standard for identifying and 
prioritizing pest introduction pathways (pathway analysis). In 
addition, the panel will coordinate and clarify NAPPO's invasive 
species efforts with those of the North American Commission for 
Environmental Cooperation and other North American international 
treaties, conventions, and trilateral activities.
    This year, the panel will coordinate with the NAPPO Working Group 
to develop the agenda and speakers for the Invasive Species Symposium 
at the October 2007 NAPPO Annual Meeting.

12. Pest Risk Analysis Panel

    The panel will prepare a NAPPO pest risk analysis on black stem 
rust, UG 99, Puccinia graminis, for the NAPPO Grains panel and, in 
collaboration with this panel, will review the latest scientific 
information on Karnal bunt, Tilletia indica Mitra.

13. Phytosanitary Alert System Panel

    This panel continuously posts timely pest alerts on the NAPPO web 
site, reviews automated data surveillance technologies to streamline 
data mining processes, and determines ways to improve official pest 
reporting through the Phytosanitary Alert System.

14. Plants for Planting

    The panel will report on progress in achieving the implementation 
plan for RSPM No. 24 (Integrated Pest Risk Management Measures for the 
Importation of Plants for Planting in NAPPO Member Countries). In 
addition, the panel will clarify the meaning of the term ``origin'' in 
ISPM No. 12 (Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates), in particular 
for re-exports of seeds.

15. Potato Panel

    The panel will finalize protocols for the detection and 
identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus as 
Appendix 6 to the NAPPO Potato Standard, RSPM No. 3, and finalize the 
protocols for the isolation and identification of regulated nematodes 
of potato as Appendix 7 to the Potato Standard. The panel will 
determine the accuracy of Appendix 5, Per-Shipment Testing for PVYn, 
based on the current knowledge of the North American PVY complex, and 
will identify the requirements for recognition of pest freedom for 
golden nematode Globodera rostochiensis and the potato cyst nematode 
Globodera pallida, based on International Standards for Phytosanitary 
Measures.

16. Standards Panel

    The panel will coordinate and review new and amended NAPPO 
standards and implementation plans; provide updates on NAPPO standards 
and ISPMs for the NAPPO Newsletter; exchange and discuss comments on 
draft ISPMs within NAPPO and with other RPPOs to build consensus on 
draft ISPMs and other issues related to the IPPC; organize conference 
calls and prepare NAPPO discussion documents where possible to confirm 
positions on key issues for North American representatives to FAO 
expert working groups; update the NAPPO Glossary, taking into account 
new definitions and standards; and review NAPPO position papers and 
policy documents to verify current relevance.
    The PPQ Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to 
NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant 
health standards, including the work described above, once they are 
completed and ready for such consideration.
    The information in this notice includes all the information 
available to us on NAPPO standards currently under development or 
consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the 
working panels that may become available following publication of this 
notice, check the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at https://
www.nappo.org or contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above). Information on official U.S. participation 
in NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on standards being 
considered, may also be obtained from Ms. Aliaga. Those wishing to 
provide comments on any of the topics being addressed by any of the 
NAPPO panels may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see 
ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting comments through Ms. Aliaga.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of September 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator,Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-18877 Filed 9-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P