International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities, 65166-65171 [2011-27174]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65166-65171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27174]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0091]


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 the 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 https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0091-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0091, 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 https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-
0091 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) 690-2817 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Mr. John Greifer, Associate Deputy 
Administrator for SPS Management, International Services, APHIS, room 
1132, USDA 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, International Animal Health 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, Unit 140, 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 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 welfare, 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.

[[Page 65167]]

    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 
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 178 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate who, in most 
cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or territory. 
The WTO has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting 
animal health and welfare 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 Members 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 Members. 
Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the development 
and preparation of draft standards, which are then circulated to 
Members for consultation (review and comment). Draft standards are 
revised accordingly and are then presented to the OIE World Assembly of 
Delegates (all the Members) 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 20-25, 2012, in 
Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
Veterinary Services program is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. 
The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services program 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 and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be found on the 
Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/oie/ or by 
contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).

OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices 
Adopted by the May 2011 General Session

    Over 50 Code chapters were amended, rewritten, or newly proposed 
and presented for adoption at the General Session. The following Code 
chapters are of particular interest to the United States:
1. Glossary
    Several Code chapter definitions were modified, rewritten, or 
deleted. Modified or rewritten definitions include the definitions for 
``euthanasia,'' ``veterinary legislation,'' and ``wildlife''.
2. Chapter 1.1, Notification of Diseases and Epidemiological 
Information
    The change in the text of this chapter helps to clarify the 
reporting responsibilities of a Member with respect to a given 
notifiable disease.
3. Chapter 6.4, Biosecurity Procedures in Poultry Production
    The text in this chapter was modified for clarity and completeness 
in content.
4. Chapter 6.5, Zoning and Compartmentalization, and Chapter 4.4, 
Application of Compartmentalization
    The text in these chapters was modified for clarity in content. No 
substantive changes were made to these chapters.
5. Chapter 6.5, Prevention, Detection and Control of Salmonella in 
Poultry
    The terms ``farm'' and ``establishment'' were removed and replaced 
with ``flock.''
6. Chapter 8.1, Anthrax
    The changes in the text of this chapter included the procedures for 
inactivation of B. anthracis spores in animal products.
7. Chapter 8.2, Aujeszky's Disease
    The text in this chapter was modified to make it consistent with 
the structure of other chapters, update the definition of the disease 
and clarify what is meant by affected populations.
8. Chapter 8.5, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
    The text in this chapter was modified to allow for the option of 
OIE endorsement of a Member's official FMD control or eradication 
program.
9. Chapter 8.15, Vesicular Stomatitis
    A list of safe commodities that can be traded regardless of a 
country's vesicular stomatitis status was incorporated into the 
chapter.
10. Chapter 10.4, Avian Influenza
    Minor changes were made to this chapter to improve clarity.
11. Chapter 10.13, Newcastle Disease
    The text in this chapter was modified to revise the time-
temperature parameters for inactivation of Newcastle disease virus in 
poultry meat.
12. Chapter 12.6, Equine Influenza
    The text in this chapter was modified for clarity.
    The following Aquatic Code chapters are of particular interest to 
the United States:
1. Manual Chapter 2.1.1., Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis
    This is a new chapter proposed for adoption in 2011.

[[Page 65168]]

2. Chapter 6.3., Principles for Responsible and Prudent use of Anti-
Microbia Agents in Aquatic Animals
    Minor changes were made to this chapter to improve clarity.
3. Chapter 8.2., Infection With Ranavirus
    Conditions are defined to allow unrestricted international trade in 
untested animal products from countries, zones or compartments not 
declared free of Ranavirus.

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices for Future 
Review

    Existing Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapters that may be 
further revised and new chapters that may be drafted in preparation for 
the next General Session in 2012 include the following:
     Chapter 1.2, Criteria for listing diseases.
     Chapter 6.5, Prevention, Detection and Control of 
Salmonella in Poultry.
     Chapter 8.6, Aujesky's disease.
     Chapter 8.10, Rabies.
     Chapter 8.12, Rinderpest.
     Chapter 11.3, Bovine brucellosis.
     Chapter 12.1, African horse sickness.
     Chapter 15.2, Classical swine fever.
     Chapter 15.4, Swine Vesicular Disease.
     Chapter X.X.X, Animal Welfare and Broiler Chicken 
Production. (This proposed chapter that focuses on establishing 
standard commercial poultry production practices was not adopted to 
allow for further Member consultations.)
     Chapter X.X.X. Animal Welfare and Beef Production. (This 
will be a new proposed chapter on standard practices for commercial 
beef production.)

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission Future Work Program

    During the next few years, the OIE Terrestrial Animal Commission 
may address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of experts 
to update or develop standards for the following issues:
     Diseases of Honey Bees and Hygiene and disease security 
procedures in apiaries.
     Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease.

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 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 (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant 
protection organizations (RPPOs); the Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (CPM, formerly referred to as the International Commission on 
Phytosanitary Measures); 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 in 
October 2005. 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 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 Standards Committee. The draft 
specifications are subsequently made available to members and 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 advisors may

[[Page 65169]]

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.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/phyto_international_standards.shtml. 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 March 26-30, 2012, 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 agenda for the 
Fifth Session of the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures is as 
follows:
    1. Opening of the session.
    2. Adoption of the agenda.
    3. Election of the Rapporteur.
    4. Report by the CPM chairperson.
    5. Report by the Secretariat.
    6. Report of the technical consultation among RPPOs.
    7. Report of observer organizations.
    8. Goal 1: A robust international standard-setting and 
implementation program.
    9. Goal 2: Information exchange systems appropriate to meet IPPC 
obligations.
    10. Goal 3: Effective dispute settlement systems.
    11. Goal 4: Improved phytosanitary capacity of members.
    12. Goal 5: Sustainable implementation of the IPPC.
    13. Goal 6: International promotion of the IPPC and cooperation 
with relevant regional and international organizations.
    14. Goal 7: Review of the status of plant protection in the world.
    15. Election of the Bureau.
    16. Membership of CPM subsidiary bodies.
    17. Calendar.
    18. Other business.
    19. Date and venue of the next meeting.
    20. Adoption of the report.
    It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently 
developed to be considered by the CPM for adoption at its 2012 meeting. 
The United States, represented by the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ program, will participate in 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. Integrated measures for plants for planting in international 
trade. This standard outlines the main criteria for the identification 
and application of integrated measures for the production and 
international movement of plants for planting (excluding seeds) as a 
pathway. It provides guidance to help identify and manage pest risks 
associated with plants for planting.
    2. Systems approach for pest risk management of fruit flies 
(Diptera: Tephritidae). This standard provides guidelines for the 
development, implementation, and verification of integrated measures in 
a systems approach for pest risk management of fruit flies 
(Tephritidae) of economic importance.

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group meetings or other technical 
consultations will take place during 2011 and 2012 on the topics listed 
below. These standard-setting initiatives are under development and may 
be considered for future adoption. 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. Establishment and maintenance of fruit fly quarantine areas 
within pest free areas in the event of an outbreak detection. This 
draft is proposed as an Annex to ISPM 26, Establishment of pest free 
areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae). It will provide guidance on the 
establishment and maintenance of regulated areas within pest free areas 
(PFA) when fruit fly outbreaks are detected. It will provide guidance 
on phytosanitary measures which are intended to protect other 
production areas and, as far as possible, will allow for the 
continuation of fruit and vegetables production, movement and handling, 
treatment, and shipping when some or all of the components of the 
export process are located in the regulated areas within the PFA.
    2. Minimizing pest movement by sea containers and conveyances in 
international trade. The standard will provide guidance to NPPOs as to 
identifying particular pest risks associated with shipping containers 
as pathways in sea and overland transport between countries; 
identifying appropriate phytosanitary measures to mitigate such risks, 
in particular prior to export, including procedures for packing and 
cleaning of the interior and exterior of shipping containers, as well 
as inspection and measures related to the area surrounding packing, 
storage and loading locations; and identifying verification procedures. 
The purpose of this standard is to minimize the risk of quarantine 
pests moved as contaminants with shipping containers, irrespective of 
the cargo carried. The standard should provide guidance as to how 
appropriate pest risk management can be achieved with minimum 
impediment to efficient movement and management of shipping containers.
    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/import_export/plants/plant_exports/phyto_international_standards.shtml) as they become available and provides 
information on the due dates for comments. Additional information on 
IPPC standards is available on the IPPC 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.

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NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the 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, the United States, and Mexico, 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/import_export/plants/plant_exports/phyto_international_standards.shtml. 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 17 to 21, 2011, 
in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting will 
take place on October 17, 2011. The Associate Deputy Administrator for 
PPQ is a member of the NAPPO Executive Committee. The Associate 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.
    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 perform an in-depth audit of the Mexican NPPO's 
adherence to Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM) 9, 
``Authorization of laboratories for phytosanitary testing'' and review 
the audit training program with a view to establish a harmonized 
approach for NAPPO countries.

2. Biological Control Panel

    The panel will investigate possible biological control strategies 
for the Emerald Ash Borer; review the draft regional standard on 
``Guidelines for shipment of biological control agents among NAPPO 
countries'' and, in collaboration with the Pest Risk Analysis panel, 
will assess the risks associated with the importation of bee pollen and 
royal jelly diverted for use in pollination and recommend management 
measures.

3. Citrus Panel

    The panel will conclude sampling procedures for citrus propagative 
material for the detection of Huanglongbing (HLB) as part of the 
diagnostic procedure and organize a second international workshop on 
citrus quarantine pests. Subjects to be covered would include: HLB, 
citrus black spot, citrus leprosis, citrus canker, and citrus 
variegated chlorosis.

4. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Panel

    The panel will participate in the international development of 
electronic certification towards a functioning regional and global e-
certification capability; finalize the review of the United Nations 
Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) data 
mapping, preparing data mapping for phytosanitary certificates; and 
consolidate previously developed documents into an e-certification 
technical guide to be further discussed with members of the 
international e-certification working groups.

5. Forestry Panel

    The panel will work on completing the drafting of a standard for 
regulating the movement of wooden articles intended for indoor and 
outdoor use; complete the drafting of a standard on the movement of 
Christmas trees within the NAPPO region; deliver a workshop related to 
the import and export of Christmas trees within and from the NAPPO 
region; review and comment on forest-related international standards 
being developed by the IPPC, in particular a proposed standard on the 
international movement of wood. The panel will prepare a discussion 
paper reviewing the applicability of current standards for heat 
treatment of wood and wood packaging in relation to emerging 
information that certain insect species appear to be thermo-tolerant.

6. Fruit Panel

    The panel will develop a strategy to mitigate the risk of 
introduction of Lobesia botrana into NAPPO countries, including 
measures to deal with a possible outbreak; determine appropriate 
phytosanitary measures against Drosophila suzukii for trade in products 
which are hosts; complete RSPM 34, ``Guidelines to develop and apply 
phytosanitary protocol treatments for arthropod pests for fruits and 
vegetables,'' and complete the technical advisory group documents on 
Rhagoletis and Tetranychus trapping.

7. Grains Panel

    The panel will contribute to the organization (agenda and speakers) 
of the IPPC workshop on the international movement of grain, to be held 
in Canada in late 2011.

8. Invasive Species Panel

    The panel will develop a pathway risk analysis standard with 
support from the PRA panel; complete the discussion paper describing 
NAPPO's role in invasive alien species including documentation of 
relevant Federal legislative authority for regulation of both 
terrestrial and aquatic plants in North America; and collaborate with 
the PRA panel to review the scientific literature on climate change and 
complete the discussion paper on its pertinence to the PRA process.

9. Pest Risk Analysis Panel

    The panel will complete the discussion paper on the potential for 
climate change to affect the ability of pests to spread and establish 
in new areas, including the implications for the current PRA process, 
with assistance from the Invasive Species panel; assist the Biological 
Control panel by assessing the risks associated with importation of bee 
pollen into NAPPO countries; complete a discussion paper summarizing 
the risk associated with the movement of wooden articles intended for 
indoor and outdoor use; and complete the development of the PRA format 
including risk-ranking guidelines.

[[Page 65171]]

10. Phytosanitary Alert System (PAS) Panel

    The panel will prepare a checklist of alert sources and ensure that 
all available sources are being utilized but not duplicated; coordinate 
outreach with other related Web sites and link them to the PAS; 
evaluate whether users are visiting the resources page on the PAS Web 
site and determine whether this page should continue to be maintained; 
post pest reports and alerts to the NAPPO PAS Web site and prepare 
guidelines for the development of pest alerts.

11. Plants for Planting

    The panel will organize information exchange among Government and 
industry in NAPPO countries to encourage progress towards 
implementation of RSPM 24, ``Integrated pest risk management measures 
for the importation of plants for planting into NAPPO member 
countries''; complete the pest list annexes; complete development of a 
protocol for hot water treatment of grapevines to control Phylloxera; 
and review and update RSPM 18, ``Guidelines for phytosanitary action 
following detection of Plum Pox Virus.''

12. Potato Panel

    The panel will develop a NAPPO diagnostic protocol for Ralstonia 
solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2; develop a NAPPO discussion paper on the 
efficacy of potato sprout inhibitors; gather the most recent 
information potato virus Y and identify the strains of concern to the 
NAPPO region based on biological and economic factors; and complete the 
review of RSPM 3, ``Guidelines for movement of potatoes into a NAPPO 
member country.''

13. Seeds Panel

    The panel will complete the NAPPO regional standard on seed 
movement; continue to collaborate with COSAVE on North-South seed trade 
facilitation; support efforts in the development of an international 
standard for seed; and prepare an agenda and speakers for a symposium 
on seed movement for the 2011 NAPPO Annual meeting.

14. Standards Panel

    The panel will coordinate the review of new and amended NAPPO 
standards, diagnostic and treatment protocols, and implementation 
plans; provide updates on NAPPO standards and ISPMs for the NAPPO 
Newsletter; maintain the NAPPO Glossary; and provide a formal 
description of responsibilities for the panel.
    The PPQ Associate 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 contains 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, go to the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at https://www.nappo.org or contact Ms. Julie 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 14th day of October 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27174 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P