Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Importation of Dragon Fruit From Vietnam Into the Continental United States, 26360-26361 [E8-10442]

Download as PDF 26360 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 91 / Friday, May 9, 2008 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2008–0058] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fruits and Vegetables Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of fruits and vegetables. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 8, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS2008-0058 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2008–0058, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2008–0058. 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 information on regulations for the importation of fruits and vegetables, contact Ms. Donna L. West, Senior Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:01 May 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 MD 20737–1231; (301) 734–8758. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734– 7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Importation of Fruits and Vegetables. OMB Number: 0579–0264. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: As authorized by the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) (PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, means of conveyance, or other article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent a plant pest or noxious weed from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which administers regulations to implement the PPA. The regulations in Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables (7 CFR 319.56–1 through 319.56–47) allow a number of fruits and vegetables to be imported into the United States, under specified conditions, from certain parts of the world. Importation of a variety of fruits and vegetables from Central America, South America, Belgium, China, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Jerusalem, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Trinidad and Tobago requires the use of certain information collection activities, including phytosanitary certificates, fruit fly monitoring records, and cooperative agreements. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection activity. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our agency’s functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.2557172 hours per response. Respondents: Growers, shippers, and national plant protection organizations. Estimated annual number of respondents: 15. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 32.06666. Estimated annual number of responses: 481. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 123 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of May 2008. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E8–10441 Filed 5–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2008–0065] Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Importation of Dragon Fruit From Vietnam Into the Continental United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental United States of dragon fruit from Vietnam. Based on that analysis, 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 dragon fruit from Vietnam. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment. E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM 09MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 91 / Friday, May 9, 2008 / Notices We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 8, 2008. DATES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS2008-0065 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2008–0065, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2008–0065. 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: Mr. Alex Belano, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operation Staff, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734–5333. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Background Under the regulations in ‘‘SubpartFruits 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 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. These measures are: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:01 May 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 • The fruits or vegetables are subject to inspection upon arrival in the United States and comply with all applicable provisions of § 319.56–3; • The fruits or vegetables are imported from a pest-free area in the country of origin that meets the requirements of § 319.56–5 for freedom from that pest and are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that the fruits or vegetables originated in a pest-free area in the country of origin; • The fruits or vegetables are treated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305; • The fruits or vegetables are inspected in the country of origin by an inspector or an official of the national plant protection organization of the exporting country, and have been found free of one or more specific quarantine pests identified by the risk analysis as likely to follow the import pathway; and/or • The fruits or vegetables are a commercial consignment. APHIS received a request from the Government of Vietnam to allow the importation of dragon fruit from Vietnam into the continental United States. We have completed a pest risk assessment to identify pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of importation into the United States and, based on that pest risk assessment, have prepared a risk management analysis to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the commodity to mitigate the pest risk. We have concluded that dragon fruit can be safely imported into the continental United States from Vietnam using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in § 319.56–4(b). Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56–4(c), we are announcing the availability of our pest risk analysis for public review and comment. The pest risk analysis may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the pest risk analysis by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the pest risk analysis when requesting copies. After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the import status of dragon fruit from Vietnam in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of the analysis and the Administrator’s determination of risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then we will begin issuing permits for importation of dragon fruit PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26361 from Vietnam into the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the risk management analysis. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of May 2008. Cindy Smith, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E8–10442 Filed 5–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Security Program; Correction Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), USDA. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice; Extension SUMMARY: NRCS and CCC published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2008, (73 FR 19456), a document stating ‘‘Notice of the Conservation Security Program, (CSP–08–01) sign up.’’ This notice extends the sign-up period end date from May 16, 2008, to May 30, 2008, in the SUMMARY and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections of the previously published document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dwayne Howard, Branch Chief— Stewardship Programs, Financial Assistance Programs Division, NRCS, Post Office Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013–2890; telephone: (202) 720–1845; fax: (202) 720–4265. Submit via e-mail to: dwayne.howard@wdc.usda.gov, with subject line of ‘‘Attention: Conservation Security Program.’’ Signed in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2008. Arlen L. Lancaster, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. E8–10360 Filed 5–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM 09MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 91 (Friday, May 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26360-26361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10442]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0065]


Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Importation of 
Dragon Fruit From Vietnam Into the Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk 
analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into 
the continental United States of dragon fruit from Vietnam. Based on 
that analysis, 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 dragon fruit from Vietnam. We are making the pest 
risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

[[Page 26361]]


DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0065 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0065, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to 
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0065.
    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: Mr. Alex Belano, Import Specialist, 
Commodity Import Analysis and Operation Staff, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    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 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. These measures are:
     The fruits or vegetables are subject to inspection upon 
arrival in the United States and comply with all applicable provisions 
of Sec.  319.56-3;
     The fruits or vegetables are imported from a pest-free 
area in the country of origin that meets the requirements of Sec.  
319.56-5 for freedom from that pest and are accompanied by a 
phytosanitary certificate stating that the fruits or vegetables 
originated in a pest-free area in the country of origin;
     The fruits or vegetables are treated in accordance with 7 
CFR part 305;
     The fruits or vegetables are inspected in the country of 
origin by an inspector or an official of the national plant protection 
organization of the exporting country, and have been found free of one 
or more specific quarantine pests identified by the risk analysis as 
likely to follow the import pathway; and/or
     The fruits or vegetables are a commercial consignment.
    APHIS received a request from the Government of Vietnam to allow 
the importation of dragon fruit from Vietnam into the continental 
United States. We have completed a pest risk assessment to identify 
pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of 
importation into the United States and, based on that pest risk 
assessment, have prepared a risk management analysis to identify 
phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the commodity to 
mitigate the pest risk. We have concluded that dragon fruit can be 
safely imported into the continental United States from Vietnam using 
one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in 
Sec.  319.56-4(b). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.56-4(c), we 
are announcing the availability of our pest risk analysis for public 
review and comment. The pest risk analysis may be viewed on the 
Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above 
for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the 
location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies 
of the pest risk analysis by calling or writing to the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of 
the pest risk analysis when requesting copies.
    After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our 
decision regarding the import status of dragon fruit from Vietnam in a 
subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of the analysis and the 
Administrator's determination of risk remain unchanged following our 
consideration of the comments, then we will begin issuing permits for 
importation of dragon fruit from Vietnam into the continental United 
States subject to the requirements specified in the risk management 
analysis.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of May 2008.
Cindy Smith,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-10442 Filed 5-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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