Notice of Availability of a Treatment Evaluation Document; Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Blueberries, 36507-36508 [2013-14468]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 18, 2013 / Notices Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Importation of Plants for Planting. OMB Number: 0579–0279. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS regulations contained in ‘‘Subpart–Plants for Planting’’ (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.37–14) prohibit or restrict, among other things, the importation of living plants, plant parts, seeds, and plant cuttings for planting or propagation. In accordance with these regulations, plants for planting from certain parts of the world may be imported into the United States only under certain conditions to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States. Paragraph (u) of § 319.37–5 provides the requirements for the importation of Pelargonium spp. plants from the Canary Islands, and paragraph (v) provides the requirements for the importation of plants from Israel, except bulbs, dormant perennials, and seeds. These requirements involve the use of information collection activities, including phytosanitary certificates with additional declaration statements, grower registration and agreements, and production site registration for the export program. These information collection activities were previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the title ‘‘Importation of Nursery Stock.’’ However, on May 27, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 31172–31210, Docket No. APHIS–2006–0011) a final rule that changed the nursery stock regulations (7 CFR 319.37 through 319.37–14) to refer instead to ‘‘plants for planting.’’ As a result, we have revised the title of this information collection to ‘‘Importation of Plants for Planting.’’ We are asking 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 our information collection. These comments will help us: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Jun 17, 2013 Jkt 229001 (1) Evaluate 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; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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 0.11 hours per response. Respondents: Importers, nurseries, and the national plant protection organizations of Spain and Israel. Estimated annual number of respondents: 60. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 86.07. Estimated annual number of responses: 5,164. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 559 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 12th day of June 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–14466 Filed 6–17–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0007] Notice of Availability of a Treatment Evaluation Document; Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Blueberries Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we have determined that it is necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36507 Treatment Manual an additional treatment schedule for methyl bromide fumigation of blueberries for Mediterranean fruit fly and South American fruit fly. We have prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes the new treatment schedule and explains why we have determined that it is effective at neutralizing these fruit flies. We are making the treatment evaluation document available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 19, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!document Detail;D=APHIS-2013-0007-0001. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2013–0007, 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-2013-0007 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. Inder P.S. Gadh, Senior Risk Manager— Treatments, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2018. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are intended, among other things, to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests and noxious weeds into or within the United States. Under the regulations, certain plants, fruits, vegetables, and other articles must be treated before they may be moved into the United States or interstate. The phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR chapter III (referred to below as the regulations) 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 E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM 18JNN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 36508 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 18, 2013 / Notices 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 (b) sets out the process for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is an immediate need to make a change. The circumstances in which an immediate need exists are described in § 305.3(b)(1). They are: • PPQ has determined that an approved treatment schedule is ineffective at neutralizing the targeted plant pest(s). • PPQ has determined that, in order to neutralize the targeted plant pest(s), the treatment schedule must be administered using a different process than was previously used. • PPQ has determined that a new treatment schedule is effective, based on efficacy data, and that ongoing trade in a commodity or commodities may be adversely impacted unless the new treatment schedule is approved for use. • The use of a treatment schedule is no longer authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or by any other Federal entity. A treatment schedule currently listed in the PPQ Treatment Manual (T101–i– 1–1) requires blueberries to be treated with methyl bromide at 70 °F or above using 2 lbs gas/1,000 ft3 for 3.5 hours at normal atmospheric pressure whether in chambers or under tarpaulin to mitigate risk from two fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly) and Anastrepha fraterculus (South American fruit fly). Because the 70 °F-or-above requirement has presented an undue economic hardship for the exporters, in 2009 Argentina requested and subsequently provided the supporting efficacy data for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to approve a new methyl bromide treatment to be applied in chambers at a lower temperature (59 °F or above) for control of Medfly and South American fruit fly. After reviewing the data provided, APHIS found the results to be acceptable with a slight modification of temperature. In accordance with § 305.3(a)(1), we are providing notice that we have determined that it is necessary to add treatment schedule T101-i-1–2, which provides for a methyl bromide treatment schedule for blueberries at a temperature of 60 °F at a dosage rate of 1 The Treatment Manual is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ import_export/plants/manuals/index.shtml 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 16:52 Jun 17, 2013 Jkt 229001 2 lbs gas/1,000 ft3 for an exposure period of 3.5 hours in a chamber. In order to have minimum adverse impact on the on-going trade of blueberries and using the immediate process as provided in § 305.3(b), this change is effective immediately upon publication of this notice. This treatment schedule will be listed in a separate section of the PPQ Treatment Manual, which will indicate that T101-i-1–2 was added through the immediate process described in paragraph (b) of § 305.3 and that it is subject to change or removal based on public comment. The reasons for the addition of this treatment schedule are described in detail in a treatment evaluation document we have prepared to support this action. The treatment evaluation document 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 treatment evaluation document by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the treatment evaluation document when requesting copies. After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the new treatment schedule that is described in the treatment evaluation document in a subsequent notice, in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of § 305.3. If we do not receive any comments, or the comments we receive do not change our determination that the treatment is effective, we will affirm the treatment schedule’s addition to the PPQ Treatment Manual and make available a new version of the PPQ Treatment Manual in which T101-i-1–2 is listed in the main body of the PPQ Treatment Manual. If we receive comments that cause us to determine that T101-i-1–2 needs to be changed or removed, we will make available a new version of the PPQ Treatment Manual that reflects changes to or the removal of T101-i-1–2. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 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 12th day of June 2013. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2013–14468 Filed 6–17–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Office of the Secretary Notice of Sugar Purchase and Exchange for Re-Export Program Credits; and Notice of Re-Export Program Time Period Extension Commodity Credit Corporation and Office of the Secretary, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice concerns two separate actions. First, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces the intent to purchase sugar to be offered in exchange for Refined Sugar Re-export Program credits. CCC will purchase sugar from domestic sugarcane processors or beet processors under the Cost Reduction Options of the Food Security Act of 1985, and concurrently exchange such sugar for credits under the Refined Sugar Re-export Program. Second, USDA announces a waiver to provide an extension of the time period from 90 days to 270 days in which licensed refiners must export or transfer sugar under the Refined Sugar Re-export Program. DATES: Effective date: June 18, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For current market conditions, eligibility, and criteria for evaluation information contact Daniel Colacicco; telephone (202) 690–0734. For sugar purchase and general exchange information contact Pamela McKenzie; telephone (202) 260– 8906. For Refined Sugar Re-export Program waiver information contact Ron Lord; telephone (202) 720–6939. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communications (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: USDA’s Sugar Program and the Domestic Sugar Market Conditions Under the Sugar Program, domestic sugar beet or sugarcane processors may borrow from CCC, pledging their sugar as collateral, and then satisfy their loans either by repaying the loan on or before loan maturity or by transferring the collateral to CCC immediately following loan maturity, also known as ‘‘forfeiture’’ of collateral (as specified in 7 CFR 1435.105). The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers the Sugar Program for CCC. Under section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, as amended (Pub. L. 104–127; 7 U.S.C. 7272), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM 18JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36507-36508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14468]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0007]


Notice of Availability of a Treatment Evaluation Document; Methyl 
Bromide Fumigation of Blueberries

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have determined that it is 
necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine 
Treatment Manual an additional treatment schedule for methyl bromide 
fumigation of blueberries for Mediterranean fruit fly and South 
American fruit fly. We have prepared a treatment evaluation document 
that describes the new treatment schedule and explains why we have 
determined that it is effective at neutralizing these fruit flies. We 
are making the treatment evaluation document available to the public 
for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
August 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0007-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2013-0007, 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-
0007 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. Inder P.S. Gadh, Senior Risk 
Manager--Treatments, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, 
MD 20737; (301) 851-2018.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are intended, among other 
things, to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests and 
noxious weeds into or within the United States. Under the regulations, 
certain plants, fruits, vegetables, and other articles must be treated 
before they may be moved into the United States or interstate. The 
phytosanitary treatments regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR 
chapter III (referred to below as the regulations) 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

[[Page 36508]]

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 (b) sets out the process 
for adding, revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is an 
immediate need to make a change. The circumstances in which an 
immediate need exists are described in Sec.  305.3(b)(1). They are:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Treatment Manual is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/index.shtml 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     PPQ has determined that an approved treatment schedule is 
ineffective at neutralizing the targeted plant pest(s).
     PPQ has determined that, in order to neutralize the 
targeted plant pest(s), the treatment schedule must be administered 
using a different process than was previously used.
     PPQ has determined that a new treatment schedule is 
effective, based on efficacy data, and that ongoing trade in a 
commodity or commodities may be adversely impacted unless the new 
treatment schedule is approved for use.
     The use of a treatment schedule is no longer authorized by 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or by any other Federal 
entity.
    A treatment schedule currently listed in the PPQ Treatment Manual 
(T101-i-1-1) requires blueberries to be treated with methyl bromide at 
70[emsp14][deg]F or above using 2 lbs gas/1,000 ft\3\ for 3.5 hours at 
normal atmospheric pressure whether in chambers or under tarpaulin to 
mitigate risk from two fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata 
(Mediterranean fruit fly, or Medfly) and Anastrepha fraterculus (South 
American fruit fly). Because the 70[emsp14][deg]F-or-above requirement 
has presented an undue economic hardship for the exporters, in 2009 
Argentina requested and subsequently provided the supporting efficacy 
data for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to 
approve a new methyl bromide treatment to be applied in chambers at a 
lower temperature (59[emsp14][deg]F or above) for control of Medfly and 
South American fruit fly. After reviewing the data provided, APHIS 
found the results to be acceptable with a slight modification of 
temperature.
    In accordance with Sec.  305.3(a)(1), we are providing notice that 
we have determined that it is necessary to add treatment schedule T101-
i-1-2, which provides for a methyl bromide treatment schedule for 
blueberries at a temperature of 60[emsp14][deg]F at a dosage rate of 2 
lbs gas/1,000 ft\3\ for an exposure period of 3.5 hours in a chamber. 
In order to have minimum adverse impact on the on-going trade of 
blueberries and using the immediate process as provided in Sec.  
305.3(b), this change is effective immediately upon publication of this 
notice. This treatment schedule will be listed in a separate section of 
the PPQ Treatment Manual, which will indicate that T101-i-1-2 was added 
through the immediate process described in paragraph (b) of Sec.  305.3 
and that it is subject to change or removal based on public comment.
    The reasons for the addition of this treatment schedule are 
described in detail in a treatment evaluation document we have prepared 
to support this action. The treatment evaluation document 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 treatment evaluation document by calling or writing to 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer 
to the subject of the treatment evaluation document when requesting 
copies.
    After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our 
decision regarding the new treatment schedule that is described in the 
treatment evaluation document in a subsequent notice, in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(3) of Sec.  305.3. If we do not receive any 
comments, or the comments we receive do not change our determination 
that the treatment is effective, we will affirm the treatment 
schedule's addition to the PPQ Treatment Manual and make available a 
new version of the PPQ Treatment Manual in which T101-i-1-2 is listed 
in the main body of the PPQ Treatment Manual. If we receive comments 
that cause us to determine that T101-i-1-2 needs to be changed or 
removed, we will make available a new version of the PPQ Treatment 
Manual that reflects changes to or the removal of T101-i-1-2.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 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 12th day of June 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14468 Filed 6-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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