Notice of Affirmation; New and Revised Treatments for Various Plant Commodities, 43052-43053 [2015-17840]

Download as PDF 43052 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices closed on April 1, 2015, instead of the originally scheduled March 26, 2015. The USDA–ARS used and coordinated the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)). During the public comment period, USDA–ARS received two public comments regarding the transfer of lands and facilities from USDA–ARS to FAMU. None of the public comments received identified any substantial evidence regarding significant environmental impacts resulting from the proposed land transfer. Based on its analysis of the Final EA for the property transfer, USDA–ARS has found that the transfer of properties could have adverse effects on previously identified historic properties. USDA– ARS, Florida Division of Historical Resources (FLDHR) and FAMU have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address the adverse effects from the proposed transfer and to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effects to any previously identified historic properties. The MOA also stipulates a Programmatic Agreement (PA) between FAMU and FLDHR for the long-term management of historic properties on the conveyed parcels; the PA will establish a consultation process that mirrors Section 106 and continue consultations with the FLDHR and the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Native American sites located on the properties. With the implementation of the MOA to address adverse effects on historic properties, there would be no significant impact to the environment from transferring approximately 3,800 acres of land and facilities at the USDA– ARS STARS in Brooksville, Florida, to the Board of Trustees of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, for use by FAMU. Therefore, USDA– ARS will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for this proposed action. Dated: July 13, 2015. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. [FR Doc. 2015–17912 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am] asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request July 15, 2015. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jul 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (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 assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if they are received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720– 8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Food and Nutrition Service Title: Request for Administrative Review. OMB Control Number: 0584–0520. Summary of Collection: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is the Federal agency responsible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011– 2036), as codified under 7 CFR parts 278 and 279, requires that the FNS determine the eligibility of retail food stores and certain food service organizations to participate in the SNAP. If a retail or wholesale firm is found to be ineligible by FNS, or is otherwise aggrieved by certain FNS actions(s), that firm has the right to file a written request for review of the administrative action with FNS. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Need and Use of the Information: The request for administrative review is a formal letter, provided by the requester, with an original signature. FNS receives the letter requesting an administrative review and maintains it as part of the official review record. The designated reviewer will adjudicate the appeals process and make a final determination regarding the aggrieved action. Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms. Number of Respondents: 1,459. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 298. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–17796 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2013–0009] Notice of Affirmation; New and Revised Treatments for Various Plant Commodities Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are affirming our earlier determination that it was necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual treatment schedules for various plant commodities. In a previous notice, we made available to the public for review and comment treatment evaluation documents that described the new treatment and revised schedules and explained why we have determined that they are effective at neutralizing certain target pests. DATES: Effective [Insert date of publication in the Federal Register], we are affirming the addition to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual of the treatments described in the notice published at 79 FR 17496– 17497 on March 28, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Inder P.S. Gadh, Senior Risk Manager— Treatments, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737– 1231; (301) 851–2018. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 7 CFR part 305 (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 Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual.1 Section 305.3 sets out the processes 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. In accordance with § 305.3(a)(1), we published a notice 2 in the Federal Register on March 28, 2014 (79 FR 17496–17497, Docket No. APHIS–2013– 0009), announcing our determination that several additions to the PPQ Treatment Manual were necessary to mitigate the risk from various plant pests, based on evidence presented in treatment evaluation documents (TEDs) we made available with the notice. We also determined that the ongoing trade of commodities would be adversely impacted unless the new and revised treatment schedules were approved for 1 The PPQ Treatment Manual is available 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. 2 To view the notice, TEDs, and comment we received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0009. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jul 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 use. The treatments were added to the PPQ Treatment Manual, but subject to change or removal based on public comment. We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on May 27, 2014. We received one comment by that date, from an importers association representative who raised concerns about the revised treatment schedule for asparagus. Specifically, the commenter stated that there have been no pests detected during post-fumigation inspections to justify the revision of the fumigation process from 2 hours to 2.5 hours. Furthermore, the commenter stated that the additional 30 minutes of fumigation would have a negative impact on the quality of the asparagus. The commenter suggested that Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Peru collaborate to develop a systems approach to mitigate the plant pest risks, rather than use the prescribed fumigation treatment. As noted in the TED, in 2007, live Copitarsia spp. larvae were detected on Peruvian asparagus during a postfumigation inspection. As an interim measure to ensure trade would continue uninterrupted, PPQ increased the treatment duration by 30 minutes for all temperature ranges and monitored its effectiveness against all stages of the pest. Since the revision was made there have been no interceptions of Copitarsia spp. larvae on asparagus imported into the United States from Peru. We understand the commenters’ concern regarding the negative effects the fumigation process has on the quality of the vegetables. We acknowledge that there is a potential risk of negative impacts on the quality or shelf life of commodities treated with fumigation and seek to minimize those efforts to the extent possible, but note that our primary concern must be to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States. We will, however, add a statement to the treatment T101–b–1 regarding the potential reduction in the shelf life of the treated asparagus. We welcome and encourage opportunities to collaborate with our stakeholders and trading partners to further mitigate the risks associated with the importation of commodities. If we receive scientific information that supports the development of a systems approach, we would consider the information and make appropriate recommendations based on that information. Therefore, in accordance with our regulations in § 305.3(b)(3), we are affirming our addition of the new and PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43053 revised treatment schedules for use for the various plant commodities to the PPQ Treatment Manual. 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 15th day of July 2015. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2015–17840 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2014–0097] Monsanto Co.; Availability of Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Draft Environmental Assessment of Maize Genetically Engineered for Increased Ear Biomass Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public comment a preliminary plant pest risk assessment and draft environmental assessment for maize designated as event MON 87403, which has been genetically engineered for increased ear biomass. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 20, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0097. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2014–0097, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents for this petition and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0097 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. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 139 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43052-43053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17840]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0009]


Notice of Affirmation; New and Revised Treatments for Various 
Plant Commodities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are affirming our earlier determination that it was 
necessary to immediately add to the Plant Protection and Quarantine 
Treatment Manual treatment schedules for various plant commodities. In 
a previous notice, we made available to the public for review and 
comment treatment evaluation documents that described the new treatment 
and revised schedules and explained why we have determined that they 
are effective at neutralizing certain target pests.

DATES: Effective [Insert date of publication in the Federal Register], 
we are affirming the addition to the Plant Protection and Quarantine 
Treatment Manual of the treatments described in the notice published at 
79 FR 17496-17497 on March 28, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Inder P.S. Gadh, Senior Risk 
Manager--Treatments, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-2018.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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

[[Page 43053]]

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 7 CFR part 305 (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 Quarantine (PPQ) 
Treatment Manual.\1\ Section 305.3 sets out the processes 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 PPQ Treatment Manual is available 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.
    In accordance with Sec.  305.3(a)(1), we published a notice \2\ in 
the Federal Register on March 28, 2014 (79 FR 17496-17497, Docket No. 
APHIS-2013-0009), announcing our determination that several additions 
to the PPQ Treatment Manual were necessary to mitigate the risk from 
various plant pests, based on evidence presented in treatment 
evaluation documents (TEDs) we made available with the notice. We also 
determined that the ongoing trade of commodities would be adversely 
impacted unless the new and revised treatment schedules were approved 
for use. The treatments were added to the PPQ Treatment Manual, but 
subject to change or removal based on public comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ To view the notice, TEDs, and comment we received, go to 
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2013-0009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on May 27, 
2014. We received one comment by that date, from an importers 
association representative who raised concerns about the revised 
treatment schedule for asparagus.
    Specifically, the commenter stated that there have been no pests 
detected during post-fumigation inspections to justify the revision of 
the fumigation process from 2 hours to 2.5 hours. Furthermore, the 
commenter stated that the additional 30 minutes of fumigation would 
have a negative impact on the quality of the asparagus. The commenter 
suggested that Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and 
Peru collaborate to develop a systems approach to mitigate the plant 
pest risks, rather than use the prescribed fumigation treatment.
    As noted in the TED, in 2007, live Copitarsia spp. larvae were 
detected on Peruvian asparagus during a post-fumigation inspection. As 
an interim measure to ensure trade would continue uninterrupted, PPQ 
increased the treatment duration by 30 minutes for all temperature 
ranges and monitored its effectiveness against all stages of the pest. 
Since the revision was made there have been no interceptions of 
Copitarsia spp. larvae on asparagus imported into the United States 
from Peru.
    We understand the commenters' concern regarding the negative 
effects the fumigation process has on the quality of the vegetables. We 
acknowledge that there is a potential risk of negative impacts on the 
quality or shelf life of commodities treated with fumigation and seek 
to minimize those efforts to the extent possible, but note that our 
primary concern must be to prevent the introduction of plant pests into 
the United States. We will, however, add a statement to the treatment 
T101-b-1 regarding the potential reduction in the shelf life of the 
treated asparagus.
    We welcome and encourage opportunities to collaborate with our 
stakeholders and trading partners to further mitigate the risks 
associated with the importation of commodities. If we receive 
scientific information that supports the development of a systems 
approach, we would consider the information and make appropriate 
recommendations based on that information.
    Therefore, in accordance with our regulations in Sec.  305.3(b)(3), 
we are affirming our addition of the new and revised treatment 
schedules for use for the various plant commodities to the PPQ 
Treatment Manual.

    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 15th day of July 2015.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-17840 Filed 7-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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