Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Interstate Movement of Sapote Fruit From Puerto Rico Into the Continental United States, 24155-24156 [2013-09735]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices APHIS–2012–0105, 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-2012-0105 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: Dr. Sarah Tomlinson, Associate Coordinator, National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2140 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494–7152. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State, and university-associated animal health laboratories working to protect animal and public health and the nation’s food supply by providing diagnostic testing aimed at detecting biological threats to the nation’s food animals. Participating NAHLN laboratories are currently designated as Core, Member, Contract, or Adjunct laboratories, depending on their testing capacities, geographical distribution, and degree of specialization. Oversight and administration of the NAHLN is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Input and leadership is provided to the NAHLN by a Coordinating Council composed of USDA and State regulatory animal health officials and State employee representatives of NAHLN laboratories. Since its inception in 2002, the NAHLN has expanded from 12 to over 50 current active participating laboratories, each with varying diagnostic capacities. The need and available technology for diagnostic testing has also changed. Stakeholder feedback indicates that the NAHLN’s structure also needs to change in order to expand detection of emerging and zoonotic diseases. To address stakeholder feedback, APHIS is considering certain elements that we believe will ensure continuation of the VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:05 Apr 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 NAHLN’s founding principles while responding to the need for additional flexibility and capacity to address identified gaps in the nation’s surveillance, detection, and response capabilities. The concept paper describes the roles and responsibilities of the NAHLN Coordinating Council and offers a revised structure for the NAHLN that would clarify opportunities for participation by State-based NAHLN laboratories. Inclusion of State-based laboratories in the NAHLN allows for greater proximity to and linkages with producers and veterinarians, which is critical to early detection of foreign animal and emerging diseases. Possible criteria and designations for various levels of participation, including participation by private laboratories, are set forth in the concept paper. Instead of using Core, Member, Contract, or Adjunct laboratory designations, participating laboratories would be designated as Level 1, 2, or 3, Affiliate Laboratory, or Specialty Laboratory, depending on the criteria met by each participating laboratory. To maintain designation, qualifying laboratories would undergo annual reviews to demonstrate adherence to established NAHLN policies and procedures. APHIS will consider all comments received on the concept paper in determining the appropriate structure and governance for the NAHLN. The concept paper for the revised structure of the NAHLN may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the document by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of this document when requesting copies. Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–09733 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24155 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0017] Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Interstate Movement of Sapote Fruit From Puerto Rico Into the Continental United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the interstate movement into the continental United States of fresh sapote fruit from Puerto Rico. 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 interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto Rico. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 24, 2013. SUMMARY: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-00170001. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2013–0017, 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-2013-0017 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. David Lamb, Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1231; (301) 851–2103. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1 24156 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2013 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart— Regulated Articles From Hawaii and the Territories’’ (7 CFR 318.13–1 through 318.13–26, 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 interstate movement of fruits and vegetables into the continental United States from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to prevent plant pests and noxious weeds from being introduced into and spread within the continental United States. (The continental United States is defined in § 318.13–2 of the regulations as the 48 contiguous States, Alaska, and the District of Columbia.) Section 318.13–4 contains a performance-based process for approving the interstate movement of commodities that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely moved subject to one or more of the designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that section. APHIS received a request from tropical fruit growers in Puerto Rico to allow the interstate movement of fresh sapote fruit (Pouteria sapota) from Puerto Rico to the continental United States. We have completed a pest risk assessment to identify pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of interstate movement into the continental United States and, based on that pest risk assessment, have prepared a risk management document to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the commodity to mitigate the pest risk. We have concluded that sapote fruit can be safely moved from Puerto Rico to the continental United States using one or more of the six designated phytosanitary measures listed in § 318.13–4(b). The measures under which sapote fruit may be moved from Puerto Rico to the continental United States are: • Inspection in Puerto Rico; and • Movement of the sapote fruit as commercial consignments only. Therefore, in accordance with § 318.13–4(c), we are announcing the availability of our pest risk assessment and risk management document for public review and comment. The documents 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:05 Apr 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 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 interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto Rico to the continental United States 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 allowing the interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto Rico to the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the risk management document. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– 7786; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of April 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–09735 Filed 4–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), invites comments on this information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 24, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162 South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–1078, FAX: (202) 720–4120. Email: Michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov. SUMMARY: The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that the Agency is submitting to OMB for revision. Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumption used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques on other forms and information technology. Comments may be sent to Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162 South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–1078, FAX: (202) 720–4120, Email: Michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov. Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Household Program (SEARCH). OMB Control Number: 0572–0146. Type of Request: Revision of currently approved package. Abstract: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110–246 (Farm Bill) amended Section 306(a)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Program grants. Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make predevelopment and planning grants to public or quasipublic agencies, organizations operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes. The grant recipients shall use the grant funds for feasibility studies, design assistance, and development of an application for financial assistance to financially distressed communities in rural areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste disposal projects as authorized in Sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) and 306(a)(24) of the CONACT. E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24155-24156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09735]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0017]


Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Interstate 
Movement of Sapote Fruit From Puerto Rico Into the Continental 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 risk 
analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the interstate 
movement into the continental United States of fresh sapote fruit from 
Puerto Rico. 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 interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto 
Rico. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for 
review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0017-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0017, 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-2013-
0017 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. David Lamb, Regulatory Policy 
Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1231; (301) 851-2103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 24156]]

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart--Regulated Articles From Hawaii 
and the Territories'' (7 CFR 318.13-1 through 318.13-26, 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 interstate movement of fruits and vegetables into the 
continental United States from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to 
prevent plant pests and noxious weeds from being introduced into and 
spread within the continental United States. (The continental United 
States is defined in Sec.  318.13-2 of the regulations as the 48 
contiguous States, Alaska, and the District of Columbia.)
    Section 318.13-4 contains a performance-based process for approving 
the interstate movement of commodities that, based on the findings of a 
pest risk analysis, can be safely moved subject to one or more of the 
designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that 
section.
    APHIS received a request from tropical fruit growers in Puerto Rico 
to allow the interstate movement of fresh sapote fruit (Pouteria 
sapota) from Puerto Rico to the continental United States. We have 
completed a pest risk assessment to identify pests of quarantine 
significance that could follow the pathway of interstate movement into 
the continental United States and, based on that pest risk assessment, 
have prepared a risk management document to identify phytosanitary 
measures that could be applied to the commodity to mitigate the pest 
risk. We have concluded that sapote fruit can be safely moved from 
Puerto Rico to the continental United States using one or more of the 
six designated phytosanitary measures listed in Sec.  318.13-4(b). The 
measures under which sapote fruit may be moved from Puerto Rico to the 
continental United States are:
     Inspection in Puerto Rico; and
     Movement of the sapote fruit as commercial consignments 
only.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  318.13-4(c), we are announcing 
the availability of our pest risk assessment and risk management 
document for public review and comment. The documents 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 interstate movement of sapote fruit from Puerto 
Rico to the continental United States 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 allowing the interstate movement of 
sapote fruit from Puerto Rico to the continental United States subject 
to the requirements specified in the risk management document.

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

    Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of April 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09735 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.