Importation of Fresh Oranges and Tangerines From Egypt Into the United States, 23208-23209 [2013-09146]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 23208 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Notices risk analysis and other relevant data, APHIS has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) concerning the field testing of the following unlicensed veterinary biological product: Requester: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center. Product: Yersinia Pestis Vaccine, Live Raccoon Poxvirus Vector. Possible Field Test Locations: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The above-mentioned product consists of a live recombinant raccoon poxvirus vector expressing two Yersinia pestis proteins. The vaccine is for the oral vaccination of certain wildlife species, specifically free-ranging prairie dogs, as an aid in the prevention and control of sylvatic plague. The EA has been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Unless substantial issues with adverse environmental impacts are raised in response to this notice, APHIS intends to issue a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) based on the EA and authorize shipment of the above product for the initiation of field tests following the close of the comment period for this notice. Because the issues raised by field testing and by issuance of a license are identical, APHIS has concluded that the EA that is generated for field testing would also be applicable to the proposed licensing action. Provided that the field test data support the conclusions of the original EA and the issuance of a FONSI, APHIS does not intend to issue a separate EA and FONSI to support the issuance of the product license, and would determine that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. APHIS intends to issue a veterinary biological product license for this vaccine following completion of the field test provided no adverse impacts on the human environment are identified and provided the product meets all other requirements for licensing. Authority: 21 U.S.C. 151–159. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:54 Apr 17, 2013 Jkt 229001 Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–09144 Filed 4–17–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. ` Tony Roman, Import Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 156, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2242. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [Docket No. APHIS–2012–0053] Background Importation of Fresh Oranges and Tangerines From Egypt Into the United States Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart– Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56– 1 through 319.56–58), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States. 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. Oranges (Citrus sinensis) from Egypt were approved to be imported into the United States in 1969, subject to cold treatment for Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata); however, imports of oranges from Egypt were suspended in July 2002 due to the establishment of peach fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata), which is also a pest of citrus in Egypt. Currently, the importation of fresh oranges and tangerines (Citris reticulata) from Egypt is not authorized. We received a request from the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Egypt to consider the use of cold treatment to mitigate for peach fruit fly in oranges and tangerines (including mandarins and clementines) based on new treatment data the NPPO developed. We determined that cold treatment can be effective for this pest. Because of the time that had passed since importation of oranges from Egypt was suspended, APHIS prepared a pest list to identify pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of importation of oranges and tangerines from Egypt. Based on the pest list, we then completed a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating the identified pests via the importation of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest list associated with oranges and tangerines from Egypt that identifies pests of concern. Subsequently, we prepared a commodity import evaluation document to determine the risk posed by peach fruit fly in oranges and tangerines from Egypt. Based on that evaluation, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the pest risk. In addition, we are advising the public that we have prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes a new treatment schedule that can be used to neutralize peach fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly in oranges and tangerines. We are making the pest list, commodity import evaluation document, and treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 17, 2013. SUMMARY: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-00530001. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0053, 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–2012–0053 or in our reading room, which is located in ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Notices sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES oranges and tangerines from Egypt. We have concluded that fresh oranges and tangerines can safely be imported into the United States from Egypt using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in § 319.56–4(b). These measures are: • The oranges and tangerines must be treated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305 for C. capitata and B. zonata; and • The oranges and tangerines must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Egypt stating that the consignment has begun or has undergone treatment for C. capitata and B. zonata in accordance with 7 CFR part 305, with an additional declaration stating that the fruit in the consignment was inspected and found free of B. zonata. Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56–4(c), we are announcing the availability of our pest list and CIED for public review and comment. The pest list and CIED 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 also request paper copies of the pest list and CIED by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the import status of fresh oranges and tangerines from Egypt 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 authorize the importation of fresh oranges and tangerines from Egypt into the United States subject to the requirements specified in the CIED. New Treatment The phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR chapter III set out standards for treatments required in parts 301, 318, and 319 of 7 CFR chapter III for fruits, vegetables, and other articles. In § 305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual.1 Section 305.3 sets out a process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. In that section, paragraph (a) sets out the process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is no immediate need to make a change. The PPQ Treatment Manual does not currently provide a treatment schedule for B. zonata in oranges and tangerines. In accordance with § 305.3(a)(1), we are providing notice of a new cold treatment schedule T107–l that we have determined is effective against B. zonata in oranges and tangerines. In addition to B. zonata, C. capitata (Medfly) is another pest of concern in oranges originating from Egypt. The new cold treatment schedule T107–l is more stringent than the old treatment schedule approved for C. capitata in oranges and tangerines, T107–a, and therefore we have determined that the new cold treatment schedule is also adequate to mitigate risks from C. capitata. The reasons for these determinations are described in a treatment evaluation document (TED) we have prepared to support this action. The TED may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room. You may also request paper copies of the TED by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the changes to the PPQ Treatment Manual that are described in the TED in a subsequent notice. If our determination that it is necessary to add new treatment schedule T107–1 remains unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then we will make available a new version of the PPQ Treatment Manual that reflects the addition of T107–l. 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 15th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–09146 Filed 4–17–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P 1 The Treatment Manual is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/ treatment.pdf or by contacting the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21702. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:54 Apr 17, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23209 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2011–0072] Plants for Planting Whose Importation Is Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis; Notice of Addition of Taxa of Plants for Planting To List of Taxa Whose Importation Is Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we are adding 31 taxa of plants for planting that are quarantine pests and 107 taxa of plants for planting that are hosts of 13 quarantine pests to our lists of taxa of plants for planting whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk analysis. A previous notice made data sheets that detailed the scientific evidence we evaluated in making the determination that the taxa are quarantine pests or hosts of quarantine pests available to the public for review and comment. This notice responds to the comments we received and makes available final versions of the data sheets, with changes in response to comments. DATES: Effective Date: May 20, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Arnold Tschanz, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, Plants for Planting Policy, RPM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1236; (301) 851–2018. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart— Plants for Planting’’ (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.37–14, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits or restricts the importation of plants for planting (including living plants, plant parts, seeds, and plant cuttings) to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. Quarantine pest is defined in § 319.37–1 as a plant pest or noxious weed that is of potential economic importance to the United States and not yet present in the United States, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on May 27, 2011 (76 FR 31172–31210, Docket No. APHIS– 2006–0011), and effective on June 27, E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23208-23209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09146]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0053]


Importation of Fresh Oranges and Tangerines From Egypt Into the 
United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest list 
associated with oranges and tangerines from Egypt that identifies pests 
of concern. Subsequently, we prepared a commodity import evaluation 
document to determine the risk posed by peach fruit fly in oranges and 
tangerines from Egypt. Based on that evaluation, we have concluded that 
the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will 
be sufficient to mitigate the pest risk. In addition, we are advising 
the public that we have prepared a treatment evaluation document that 
describes a new treatment schedule that can be used to neutralize peach 
fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly in oranges and tangerines. We are 
making the pest list, commodity import evaluation document, and 
treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and 
comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
17, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0053-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0053, 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-2012-
0053 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tony Rom[agrave]n, Import 
Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 156, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
(301) 851-2242.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 
319.56-1 through 319.56-58), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and 
vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to 
prevent the introduction and dissemination of plant pests that are new 
to or not widely distributed within the United States.
    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.
    Oranges (Citrus sinensis) from Egypt were approved to be imported 
into the United States in 1969, subject to cold treatment for 
Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata); however, imports of 
oranges from Egypt were suspended in July 2002 due to the establishment 
of peach fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata), which is also a pest of citrus 
in Egypt. Currently, the importation of fresh oranges and tangerines 
(Citris reticulata) from Egypt is not authorized. We received a request 
from the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Egypt to 
consider the use of cold treatment to mitigate for peach fruit fly in 
oranges and tangerines (including mandarins and clementines) based on 
new treatment data the NPPO developed. We determined that cold 
treatment can be effective for this pest.
    Because of the time that had passed since importation of oranges 
from Egypt was suspended, APHIS prepared a pest list to identify pests 
of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of importation 
of oranges and tangerines from Egypt. Based on the pest list, we then 
completed a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) to identify 
phytosanitary measures that could be applied to mitigate the risks of 
introducing or disseminating the identified pests via the importation 
of

[[Page 23209]]

oranges and tangerines from Egypt. We have concluded that fresh oranges 
and tangerines can safely be imported into the United States from Egypt 
using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed 
in Sec.  319.56-4(b). These measures are:
     The oranges and tangerines must be treated in accordance 
with 7 CFR part 305 for C. capitata and B. zonata; and
     The oranges and tangerines must be accompanied by a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Egypt stating that the 
consignment has begun or has undergone treatment for C. capitata and B. 
zonata in accordance with 7 CFR part 305, with an additional 
declaration stating that the fruit in the consignment was inspected and 
found free of B. zonata.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.56-4(c), we are announcing 
the availability of our pest list and CIED for public review and 
comment. The pest list and CIED 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 also request paper copies of the pest 
list and CIED by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our 
decision regarding the import status of fresh oranges and tangerines 
from Egypt 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 authorize the 
importation of fresh oranges and tangerines from Egypt into the United 
States subject to the requirements specified in the CIED.

New Treatment

    The phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 
CFR chapter III set out standards for treatments required in parts 301, 
318, and 319 of 7 CFR chapter III for fruits, vegetables, and other 
articles.
    In Sec.  305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment 
schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 
Treatment Manual.\1\ Section 305.3 sets out a process for adding, 
revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. 
In that section, paragraph (a) sets out the process for adding, 
revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is no immediate 
need to make a change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Treatment Manual is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/treatment.pdf or by contacting the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 
92 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21702.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The PPQ Treatment Manual does not currently provide a treatment 
schedule for B. zonata in oranges and tangerines. In accordance with 
Sec.  305.3(a)(1), we are providing notice of a new cold treatment 
schedule T107-l that we have determined is effective against B. zonata 
in oranges and tangerines.
    In addition to B. zonata, C. capitata (Medfly) is another pest of 
concern in oranges originating from Egypt. The new cold treatment 
schedule T107-l is more stringent than the old treatment schedule 
approved for C. capitata in oranges and tangerines, T107-a, and 
therefore we have determined that the new cold treatment schedule is 
also adequate to mitigate risks from C. capitata.
    The reasons for these determinations are described in a treatment 
evaluation document (TED) we have prepared to support this action. The 
TED may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading 
room. You may also request paper copies of the TED by calling or 
writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our 
decision regarding the changes to the PPQ Treatment Manual that are 
described in the TED in a subsequent notice. If our determination that 
it is necessary to add new treatment schedule T107-1 remains unchanged 
following our consideration of the comments, then we will make 
available a new version of the PPQ Treatment Manual that reflects the 
addition of T107-l.

    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 15th day of April 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09146 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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