Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Figs From Mexico Into the Continental United States, 16620-16621 [2015-07231]

Download as PDF 16620 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 60 / Monday, March 30, 2015 / Notices Health_in_the_World/docs/pdf/Disease_ cards/AFRICAN_HORSE_ SICKNESS.pdf) and the Iowa State University: The Center for Food Security & Public Health Web site (https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ Factsheets/pdfs/african_horse_ sickness.pdf). Compensation Two commenters asked whether APHIS would be able to provide compensation for horses that may need to be euthanized for AHS. APHIS has the authority to provide indemnity in the case of an FAD outbreak. In the event of an FAD outbreak such as AHS, APHIS may consider indemnity funding. Specific decisions regarding indemnity would depend on the situation and available funding sources. Based on the evaluation and the reasons given in this document in response to comments, we are recognizing Saudi Arabia as free of AHS and removing it from the list of regions considered affected with AHS which is found on the APHIS Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/ aphis/ourfocus/importexport and following the link to ‘‘Animal or Animal Product.’’ Copies of the list are also available via postal mail, fax, or email from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 24th day of March 2015. Jere L. Dick, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2015–07212 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2014–0008] Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Figs From Mexico Into the Continental United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh figs from Mexico into the continental United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public to review and comment SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Mar 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 through a previous notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh figs from Mexico. DATES: Effective March 30, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Apgar Balady, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–2240. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–1 through 319.56–71, referred to below as the regulations), 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 plant pests from being introduced into or disseminated 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. In accordance with that process, we published a notice 1 in the Federal Register on June 12, 2014 (79 FR 33716– 33717, Docket No. APHIS–2014–0008), in which we announced the availability, for review and comment, of a pest list and risk management document (RMD) regarding the risks associated with the importation into the continental United States of fresh figs from Mexico. We solicited comments on the pest list and RMD for 60 days, ending on August 11, 2014. We received three comments by that date, from an exporter, an organization of State plant regulatory agencies, and a State department of agriculture. The comments are discussed below. The pest list identified six quarantine pests that are likely to follow the pathway of fresh figs imported from Mexico into the continental United States: Anastrepha fraterculus, A. ludens, A. serpentina, Ceratitis capitata, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and Nipaecoccus viridis. Two commenters acknowledged that the mitigation measures described in the RMD would likely be enough to mitigate the risks of all six quarantine pests, but requested that figs from Mexico not be 1 To view the notice, pest list, RMD, and comments we received, go to https://www. regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-20140008. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 distributed in Florida due to the risk of an accidental or incidental introduction of quarantine pests into the State. As described in the RMD, we are requiring figs from Mexico to be treated with irradiation to neutralize all plant pests of the class Insecta. Section 305.9 specifies the requirements for the irradiation of imported commodities. These requirements provide effective safeguards for articles irradiated either prior to or after arrival in the United States. In addition, each consignment is subject to inspection at the U.S. ports of entry and must be found free of all quarantine pests. We are confident that these requirements will adequately mitigate the risks associated with the importation of fresh figs from Mexico. One commenter asked what phytosanitary measures would apply to figs exported from fruit fly-free areas of Mexico and whether those treatments will negate the figs’ organic status. Under § 319.56–5, certain fruits and vegetables may be imported into the United States provided that the fruits or vegetables originate from an area that is free of a specific pest or pests. As such, figs produced in fruit fly-free areas of Mexico would be eligible for importation into the United States without treatment for fruit flies. However, the figs would be subject to the labeling, certification, and safeguarding requirements of § 319.56–5(e), the general requirements in § 319.56–3, and would have to be inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56–4(c)(2)(ii), we are announcing our decision to authorize the importation of fresh figs from Mexico into the continental United States subject to the following phytosanitary measures: • The figs may be imported into the continental United States in commercial consignments only. • The figs must be irradiated in accordance with 7 CFR part 305 with a minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy. • If irradiation treatment is applied outside the United States, each consignment of fruit must be jointly inspected by APHIS and the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Mexico and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate (PC) attesting that the fruit received the required irradiation treatment. The PC must also include an additional declaration stating that the consignment was inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. • If irradiation treatment is applied upon arrival in the United States, each consignment of fruit must be inspected by the NPPO of Mexico prior to E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 60 / Monday, March 30, 2015 / Notices departure and accompanied by a PC attesting that the fruit was inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis. • The commodity is subject to inspection at the U.S. port of entry. These conditions will be listed in the Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements database (available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/favir). In addition to these specific measures, figs from Mexico will be subject to the general requirements listed in § 319.56– 3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and vegetables. 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 25th day of March 2015. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2015–07231 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047] U.S. Department of Agriculture Stakeholder Workshop on Coexistence ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period. We are extending the comment period for issues and proposals discussed during the workshop on agricultural coexistence that was held on March 12–13, 2015. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. DATES: The comment period for the notice published on February 3, 2015 (80 FR 5729) is extended. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 10, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Detail;D=APHIS-2013-0047. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Any comments we receive may be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/# !docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0047 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Mar 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 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. Michael Tadle, Program Analyst, Planning, Evaluation, and Decision Support, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 120, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–3140; Michael.A.Tadle@ aphis.usda.gov. On February 3, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 5729–5731, Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047) a notice 1 to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture was holding a workshop on agricultural coexistence, the objective of which was to advance an understanding of agricultural coexistence and discuss how to make coexistence achievable for all stakeholders. The 2-day workshop, which was held on March 12–13, 2015, also provided an opportunity to learn from stakeholders representing a wide range of interests with respect to agricultural coexistence. In that notice, we stated that comments on issues and proposals discussed during the workshop would be accepted from March 13, 2015, through March 27, 2015. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. APHIS–2013–0047 for an additional 14 days to April 10, 2015. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of March 2015. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2015–07210 Filed 3–27–15; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2015–0018] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Small Lots of Seed Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. AGENCY: 1 To view the workshop notice and comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= APHIS-2013-0047. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16621 Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of small lots of seed into the United States. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 29, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docket Detail;D=APHIS-2015-0018. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2015–0018, 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-2015-0018 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: For information on the regulations for the importation of small lots of seed into the ´ United States, contact Ms. Lydia Colon, Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPP, RPM, PHP, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851–2302. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Ms. Kimberly Hardy, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851–2727. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Importation of Small Lots of Seed. OMB Control Number: 0579–0285. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 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. The regulations contained in ‘‘Subpart— SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16620-16621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07231]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0008]


Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Fresh Figs 
From Mexico Into the Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the 
importation of fresh figs from Mexico into the continental United 
States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made 
available to the public to review and comment through a previous 
notice, we have concluded that the application of one or more 
designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the 
risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via 
the importation of fresh figs from Mexico.

DATES: Effective March 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Apgar Balady, Senior 
Regulatory Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2240.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the regulations in ``Subpart--Fruits 
and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-71, referred to below 
as the regulations), 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 plant 
pests from being introduced into or disseminated 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.
    In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the 
Federal Register on June 12, 2014 (79 FR 33716-33717, Docket No. APHIS-
2014-0008), in which we announced the availability, for review and 
comment, of a pest list and risk management document (RMD) regarding 
the risks associated with the importation into the continental United 
States of fresh figs from Mexico.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, pest list, RMD, and comments we 
received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-
2014-0008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the pest list and RMD for 60 days, ending 
on August 11, 2014. We received three comments by that date, from an 
exporter, an organization of State plant regulatory agencies, and a 
State department of agriculture. The comments are discussed below.
    The pest list identified six quarantine pests that are likely to 
follow the pathway of fresh figs imported from Mexico into the 
continental United States: Anastrepha fraterculus, A. ludens, A. 
serpentina, Ceratitis capitata, Maconellicoccus hirsutus, and 
Nipaecoccus viridis.
    Two commenters acknowledged that the mitigation measures described 
in the RMD would likely be enough to mitigate the risks of all six 
quarantine pests, but requested that figs from Mexico not be 
distributed in Florida due to the risk of an accidental or incidental 
introduction of quarantine pests into the State.
    As described in the RMD, we are requiring figs from Mexico to be 
treated with irradiation to neutralize all plant pests of the class 
Insecta. Section 305.9 specifies the requirements for the irradiation 
of imported commodities. These requirements provide effective 
safeguards for articles irradiated either prior to or after arrival in 
the United States. In addition, each consignment is subject to 
inspection at the U.S. ports of entry and must be found free of all 
quarantine pests. We are confident that these requirements will 
adequately mitigate the risks associated with the importation of fresh 
figs from Mexico.
    One commenter asked what phytosanitary measures would apply to figs 
exported from fruit fly-free areas of Mexico and whether those 
treatments will negate the figs' organic status.
    Under Sec.  319.56-5, certain fruits and vegetables may be imported 
into the United States provided that the fruits or vegetables originate 
from an area that is free of a specific pest or pests. As such, figs 
produced in fruit fly-free areas of Mexico would be eligible for 
importation into the United States without treatment for fruit flies. 
However, the figs would be subject to the labeling, certification, and 
safeguarding requirements of Sec.  319.56-5(e), the general 
requirements in Sec.  319.56-3, and would have to be inspected and 
found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.56-4(c)(2)(ii), we are 
announcing our decision to authorize the importation of fresh figs from 
Mexico into the continental United States subject to the following 
phytosanitary measures:
     The figs may be imported into the continental United 
States in commercial consignments only.
     The figs must be irradiated in accordance with 7 CFR part 
305 with a minimum absorbed dose of 150 Gy.
     If irradiation treatment is applied outside the United 
States, each consignment of fruit must be jointly inspected by APHIS 
and the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Mexico and 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate (PC) attesting that the 
fruit received the required irradiation treatment. The PC must also 
include an additional declaration stating that the consignment was 
inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis.
     If irradiation treatment is applied upon arrival in the 
United States, each consignment of fruit must be inspected by the NPPO 
of Mexico prior to

[[Page 16621]]

departure and accompanied by a PC attesting that the fruit was 
inspected and found free of M. hirsutus and N. viridis.
     The commodity is subject to inspection at the U.S. port of 
entry.
    These conditions will be listed in the Fruits and Vegetables Import 
Requirements database (available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/favir). 
In addition to these specific measures, figs from Mexico will be 
subject to the general requirements listed in Sec.  319.56-3 that are 
applicable to the importation of all fruits and vegetables.

    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 25th day of March 2015.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07231 Filed 3-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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