Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for the Importation of Ribes Species Fruits From South Africa Into the Continental United States, 59241-59242 [E7-20675]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 202 / Friday, October 19, 2007 / Notices pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES in which we announced the availability, for review and comment, of a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental United States of peeled baby carrots from Kenya. We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on September 17, 2007. We received one comment by that date, from a private citizen. The commenter stated that food should be grown locally and not imported, and that the risks— which she did not specify—associated with imports generally were too great. No changes to the pest risk analysis are necessary based on that comment. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations in § 319.56–4(c)(2)(ii), we are announcing our decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into the continental United States of peeled baby carrots from Kenya subject to the following phytosanitary measures: • The peeled baby carrots must be inspected by Kenya’s national plant protection organization (NPPO) and found free of pests, including Meloidogyne ethiopica. • Kenya’s NPPO must issue a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment to assure that the commodity has been inspected and found free of pests. An additional declaration is also required that reads, ‘‘Peeled baby carrots in this consignment have been inspected and found free of Meloidogyne ethiopica.’’ • The peeled baby carrots may be imported in commercial consignments only. • The peeled baby carrots will be subject to standard port-of-entry inspection upon arrival in the United States and must be free of quarantine pests. These conditions will be listed in the fruits and vegetables manual (available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ import_export/plants/manuals/ports/ downloads/fv.pdf). In addition to those specific measures, the peeled baby carrots will be subject to the general requirements listed in § 319.56–3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and vegetables. Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–20678 Filed 10–18–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:46 Oct 18, 2007 Jkt 214001 59241 subject to the identified designated measures if: (1) No comments were Animal and Plant Health Inspection received on the pest risk analysis; (2) Service the comments on the pest risk analysis revealed that no changes to the pest risk [Docket No. APHIS–2007–0101] analysis were necessary; or (3) changes Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for to the pest risk analysis were made in the Importation of Ribes Species Fruits response to public comments, but the From South Africa Into the Continental changes did not affect the overall United States conclusions of the analysis and the Administrator’s determination of risk. AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health In accordance with that process, we Inspection Service, USDA. published a notice 1 in the Federal ACTION: Notice. Register on July 18, 2007 (72 FR 39382– SUMMARY: We are advising the public of 39383, Docket No. APHIS–2007–0101), our decision to begin issuing permits for in which we announced the availability, the importation into the continental for review and comment, of a pest risk United States of Ribes species fruits (i.e., analysis that evaluates the risks currants and gooseberries) from South associated with the importation into the Africa. Based on the findings of a pest continental United States of Ribes risk analysis, which we made available species fruits (i.e., currants and to the public for review and comment gooseberries) from South Africa. We through a previous notice, we believe solicited comments on the notice for 60 that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will days ending on September 17, 2007. We did not receive any comments. be sufficient to mitigate the risks of Therefore, in accordance with the introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of regulations in § 319.56–4(c)(2)(ii), we Ribes species fruits from South Africa. are announcing our decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into DATES: Effective Date: October 19, 2007. the continental United States of Ribes FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. species fruits from South Africa subject Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist, to the following phytosanitary Commodity Import Analysis and measures: Operations, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, • Each consignment of Ribes species Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734– fruits must be accompanied by a 8758. phytosanitary certificate issued by SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: South Africa’s national plant protection Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart— organization to document that the Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56 commodity has been inspected and through 319.56–47, referred to below as found free of pests. the regulations), the Animal and Plant • The Ribes species fruits may be Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of imported in commercial consignments the U.S. Department of Agriculture only. prohibits or restricts the importation of • The Ribes species fruits will be fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to subject to standard port-of-entry prevent plant pests from being inspection upon arrival in the United introduced into and spread within the States and must be free of quarantine United States. pests. Section 319.56–4 of the regulations These conditions will be listed in the contains a performance-based process fruits and vegetables manual (available for approving the importation of at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ commodities that, based on the findings import_export/plants/manuals/ports/ of a pest risk analysis, can be safely downloads/fv.pdf). In addition to those imported subject to one or more of the specific measures, the Ribes species designated phytosanitary measures fruits will subject to the general listed in paragraph (b) of that section. requirements listed in § 319.56–3 that Under that process, APHIS publishes a are applicable to the importation of all notice in the Federal Register fruits and vegetables. announcing the availability of the pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of a particular fruit or vegetable. Following 1 To view the notice and the pest risk analysis, the close of the 60-day comment period, go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ APHIS may begin issuing permits for component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS2007-0101. importation of the fruit or vegetable DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 59242 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 202 / Friday, October 19, 2007 / Notices Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–20675 Filed 10–18–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) to Invite Applications for the American Indian Credit Outreach Initiative AGENCY: ACTION: Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice. SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is requesting applications for competitive cooperative agreement funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 for the credit outreach initiative targeted to American Indian farmers, ranchers, and youth residing primarily on Indian reservations within the contiguous United States. FSA anticipates the availability of $933,120 in funding. This request for applications is being made prior to passage of a final appropriations bill to allow applicants sufficient time to submit proposals, give the Agency maximum time to process applications, and permit continuity of this program. FSA requests proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations, land-grant institutions, and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments interested in a competitively-awarded cooperative agreement to create and implement a mechanism that will provide credit outreach and promotion, pre-loan education, one-on-one loan application preparation assistance and other related services as proposed by the successful applicant that are specific to FSA’s Agricultural Credit Programs. Applications must be completed and submitted to the Agency no later than November 19, 2007. Late applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant. Applicants must ensure that the service used to deliver the application can do so by the deadline. Due to recent security concerns, packages sent to the Agency by mail have been delayed several days or even weeks. DATES: Submit applications and other required materials by mail to: Mike Hill, Director, Outreach Staff, Farm Service Agency, USDA, STOP 0511, Suite 508 Portals Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–0511. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:46 Oct 18, 2007 Jkt 214001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Hill, (202) 690–1098; e-mail: mike.hill@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of Solicitation This solicitation is issued under 7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4), which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements to improve the coordination and effectiveness of Federal programs affecting rural areas. The principal objective of this cooperative agreement is to continue a national outreach program that enables American Indian farmers, ranchers, and youth primarily located on Indian reservations in the contiguous United States to understand and have access to the various FSA Agriculture Credit Programs. Eligibility Information All proposed approaches must have, within three months upon acceptance of award: (1) A data tracking system that thoroughly records all credit outreach specific activities and has the ability to provide detailed statistical information on an ad hoc basis, that must also be functional on a real-time basis as well as being available online through the Internet, and (2) The applicant must demonstrate its ability to learn to deliver these credit outreach services utilizing the FSA online Farm Business Plan software program. Proposals must demonstrate innovative and unique ways of ensuring that American Indians: (1) Will be provided a targeted promotional campaign about, (2) Have ready access to, (3) Are educated about, and (4) Can obtain one-on-one assistance specific to the various FSA Agricultural Credit Programs. Background Today, American Indians own and control approximately 56 million acres of agricultural lands held in trust by the United States Government and administered, for the most part, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the Department of the Interior. Land-based agricultural enterprises are considered the primary source of revenue for most tribes, due in large part to their severe isolation from any urban type industrial development activities. Thus, protecting this resource is an important function of the elected tribal officials charged with operating business activities that take place within reservations. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides farmers PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and ranchers technical, financial, and educational resources. American Indian agricultural producers on reservations have long been less able to benefit from USDA services. Since 1987, changes, such as Farm Bills with Indian-specific language, have begun to close some of the gaps created by American Indians’ lack of access to USDA’s programs and services. As positive as these changes were, they did not fully address an implementation plan or the funds needed to carry out implementation of sorely needed agribusiness education and direct services to American Indian Reservation farmers and ranchers. American Indian agribusinesses, as well as individual Indians, have consistently reported that the primary need in Indian agriculture was access to the capital required to own and operate their own farms or ranches. Therefore, FSA created and implemented this mechanism to provide credit outreach and other related services related to FSA’s Agricultural Credit Programs as a way to resolve some of the credit needs of Indian agriculture. Definitions The following definitions are applicable to this Notice. Agency or FSA. The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Farm land. Land used for commercial agriculture crops, poultry and livestock enterprises, or aquaculture. Federally-Recognized Indian Tribal Government. The governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any Native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Land Grant Institutions. (1) A 1994 institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), or an 1890 institution. (2) An Indian tribal community college or an Alaska Native cooperative college. (3) A Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)). Non-Profit Organization. Any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that: E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 202 (Friday, October 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59241-59242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20675]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0101]


Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for the Importation of Ribes 
Species Fruits From South Africa Into the Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our decision to begin issuing 
permits for the importation into the continental United States of Ribes 
species fruits (i.e., currants and gooseberries) from South Africa. 
Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available 
to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we 
believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary 
measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or 
disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of Ribes 
species fruits from South Africa.

DATES: Effective Date: October 19, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist, 
Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-
8758.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Under the regulations in ``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 
319.56 through 319.56-47, referred to below as the regulations), the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture prohibits or restricts the importation of 
fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the 
world to prevent plant pests from being introduced into and spread 
within the United States.
    Section 319.56-4 of the regulations contains a performance-based 
process for approving the importation of commodities that, based on the 
findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one 
or more of the designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph 
(b) of that section. Under that process, APHIS publishes a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing the availability of the pest risk 
analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of a 
particular fruit or vegetable. Following the close of the 60-day 
comment period, APHIS may begin issuing permits for importation of the 
fruit or vegetable subject to the identified designated measures if: 
(1) No comments were received on the pest risk analysis; (2) the 
comments on the pest risk analysis revealed that no changes to the pest 
risk analysis were necessary; or (3) changes to the pest risk analysis 
were made in response to public comments, but the changes did not 
affect the overall conclusions of the analysis and the Administrator's 
determination of risk.
    In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the 
Federal Register on July 18, 2007 (72 FR 39382-39383, Docket No. APHIS-
2007-0101), in which we announced the availability, for review and 
comment, of a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated 
with the importation into the continental United States of Ribes 
species fruits (i.e., currants and gooseberries) from South Africa. We 
solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on September 17, 
2007. We did not receive any comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice and the pest risk analysis, go to https://
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0101.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, in accordance with the regulations in Sec.  319.56-
4(c)(2)(ii), we are announcing our decision to begin issuing permits 
for the importation into the continental United States of Ribes species 
fruits from South Africa subject to the following phytosanitary 
measures:
     Each consignment of Ribes species fruits must be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by South Africa's 
national plant protection organization to document that the commodity 
has been inspected and found free of pests.
     The Ribes species fruits may be imported in commercial 
consignments only.
     The Ribes species fruits will be subject to standard port-
of-entry inspection upon arrival in the United States and must be free 
of quarantine pests.
    These conditions will be listed in the fruits and vegetables manual 
(available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/
ports/downloads/fv.pdf). In addition to those specific measures, the 
Ribes species fruits will subject to the general requirements listed in 
Sec.  319.56-3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and 
vegetables.


[[Page 59242]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of October 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-20675 Filed 10-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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