International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities, 12859-12863 [2016-05527]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12859-12863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05527]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0105]


International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 
Activities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the 
Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade, we are informing the public of the international standard-
setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the 
North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting 
public comment on the standards to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0105.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2015-0105, 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-2015-
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) 7997039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Ms. Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant 
Deputy Administrator for Trade and Capacity Building, International 
Services, APHIS, Room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7121.
    For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of 
the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David, 
Director, International Animal Health Standards Team, National Import 
Export Services, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 851-3302.
    For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities 
of the International Plant Protection Convention, contact Dr. Marina 
Zlotina, IPPC Technical Director, International Phytosanitary 
Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale, MD 20737, 
(301) 851-2200.
    For specific information on the North American Plant Protection 
Organization, contact Ms. Patricia Abad, NAPPO Technical Director, 
International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
130, Riverdale, MD, 20737, (301) 851-2264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common 
international institutional framework for governing trade relations 
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. 
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress 
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), 
which was signed into law on December 8, 1994. The WTO Agreements, 
which established the WTO, entered into force with respect to the 
United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act 
amended Title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531 et 
seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 
U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency to be 
responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary 
(SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-
setting organization. The designated agency must inform the public by 
publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that provides the 
following information: (1) The SPS standards under consideration or 
planned for consideration by the international standard-setting 
organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, a description of 
the consideration or planned consideration of that standard, a 
statement of whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda for U.S. 
participation, if any, and the agency responsible for representing the 
United States with respect to that standard.
    ``International standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any 
standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed 
under the auspices of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, 
formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) regarding 
animal health and welfare, and zoonoses; (3) developed under the 
auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC) in cooperation with the North American Plant 
Protection Organization (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) 
established by or developed under any other international organization 
agreed to by the member countries of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA) or the member countries of the WTO.
    The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 
(60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official 
responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department 
of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities, and USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public 
of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform 
the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was 
created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. It is 
the major international organization for encouraging international 
trade in food and protecting the health and economic interests of 
consumers.
    APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, 
and NAPPO activities related to

[[Page 12860]]

international standards for plant and animal health and representing 
the United States with respect to these standards. Following are 
descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO organizations and the 
standard-setting agenda for each of these organizations. We have 
described the agenda that each of these organizations will address at 
their annual general sessions, including standards that may be 
presented for adoption or consideration, as well as other initiatives 
that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.
    The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft 
standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed 
and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of 
the United States to support adoption of international standards and to 
participate actively and fully in their development, it should be 
recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will 
depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and 
interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any 
persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific 
draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting 
issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be 
under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at 
the beginning of this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

OIE Standard-Setting Activities

    The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924, with the signing 
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed 
of 180 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate who, in most 
cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or territory. 
The WTO has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting 
animal health and welfare standards, reporting global animal disease 
events, and presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary 
measures relating to animal health.
    The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the 
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research 
among its Members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and 
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal 
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern 
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to 
achieve these through the development and revision of international 
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international 
trade of animals and animal products.
    The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of 
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of Members for certain 
diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their 
international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease 
status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to Members. 
Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the development 
and preparation of draft standards, which are then circulated to 
Members for consultation (review and comment). Draft standards are 
revised accordingly and are then presented to the OIE World Assembly of 
Delegates (all the Members) during the General Session, which meets 
annually every May, for review and adoption. Adoption, as a general 
rule, is based on consensus of the OIE membership.
    The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 22 to May 27, 
2016, in Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
Veterinary Services program is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. 
The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services program intends 
to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' 
position on any standard up for adoption. Information about OIE draft 
Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be found on the 
Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/export-animals-oie 
or by contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).

OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices 
Adopted During the May 2015 General Session

    More than 30 Code chapters were amended, rewritten, or newly 
proposed and presented for adoption at the General Session. The 
following Code chapters are of particular interest to the United 
States:

1. Glossary

    Text was changed in this Code chapter for the definition of 
``Stamping out,'' particularly the removal of the phrase that includes 
``in whole or in part'', which may be misinterpreted and cause 
confusion.

2. User's Guide

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity.

3. Chapter 3.2., Evaluation of Veterinary Services

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity and consistency.

4. Chapter 4.7., Collection and Processing of In-Vivo Derived Embryos 
From Livestock and Horses

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity.

5. Chapter 5.1., General Obligation Related to Certification

    Text in this Code chapter was modified and precise definitions for 
standard, guideline, and recommendation will be provided by the 
Commission for Member Country comment.

6. Chapter 5.2., Certification Procedures

    Text in this Code chapter had minor modifications for clarity.

7. Chapter 6.5., Prevention, Detection, and Control of Salmonella in 
Poultry *

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity.

8. Chapter 7.X., Animal Welfare and Dairy Cattle Production Systems

    This is a new Code chapter and the text will be modified for 
clarity and consistency in the future as the Commission proposes 
changes for comment.

9. Chapter 7.10., Animal Welfare and Broiler Production

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity.

10. Chapter 7.5., Slaughter of Animals

    Proposed text in this Code chapter was not adopted and the chapter 
remains as currently written.

11. Chapter 8.X., Infection With Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus

    This is a new Code chapter that was adopted with minimal discussion 
and closely parallels the current chapter for bluetongue.

12. Chapter 15.3., Infection With Taenia Solium

    This is a new Code chapter that was adopted and additional comments 
will be submitted on the limits of cysticerci detections per carcass 
and the appropriate temperature to inactivate the cysticerci.

13. Chapter 4.16., High Health Status Horse Subpopulation

    This Code chapter was adopted in 2014. It presents the concept of 
``higher health status'' horses, which by being closely monitored and 
tested for certain

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diseases should be able to move in and out of countries, where they may 
compete with greater ease than they would otherwise.

14. Chapter 11.4., Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

    The text in this chapter was updated to recognize the distinction 
between ``classical BSE'' and ``atypical BSE''.

15. Chapter 10.4., Infection With Avian Influenza Viruses

    The text in this Code chapter was minimally modified to align it 
with similar text in Code Chapter 10.9. ``Infection with Newcastle 
Disease Virus.''
    The following Aquatic Manual chapters were revised and adopted, and 
are of particular interest to the United States:

Chapter 2.2.2. Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis
Chapter 2.2.4. Necrotising hepatopancreatitis
Chapter 2.2.5. Taura syndrome
Chapter 2.2.8. Infection with yellow head virus
Chapter 2.4.7. Infection with Perkinsus olseni

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices for Future 
Review

     Glossary.
     Chapter 1.1., Notification of diseases.
     Chapter 1.2., Criteria for inclusion OIE list.
     Chapter 15.1., Infection with African swine fever.
     Chapter 6.X., Salmonella in cattle.
     Chapter 11.5., Bovine tuberculosis.
     Chapter 6.9., Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial 
agents in veterinary medicine.
     Chapter 11.12., Theileriosis.
     Chapter 12.10., Glanders.
     Chapter 10.5., Avian mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma 
gallisepticum).
     Chapter 11.11., Lumpy skin disease.
     Chapter 4.16., High health status horse subpopulation.

IPPC Standard-Setting Activities

    The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the 
purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread 
and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote 
appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the 
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, 
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and non-cultivated 
plants from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities 
addressed by the IPPC include the development and establishment of 
international plant health standards (ISPMs), the harmonization of 
phytosanitary activities through emerging standards, the facilitation 
of the exchange of official and scientific information among countries, 
and the furnishing of technical assistance to developing countries that 
are signatories to the IPPC.
    The IPPC is under the authority of the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), and the members of the Secretariat of the IPPC are 
appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is implemented by national plant 
protection organizations (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant 
protection organizations (RPPOs), the Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (CPM), and the Secretariat of the IPPC. The United States 
plays a major role in all standard-setting activities under the IPPC 
and has representation on FAO's highest governing body, the FAO 
Conference.
    The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972 
and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever 
since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered 
into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries 
accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties 
completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the 
FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997 
amendment updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-
setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC 
entered into force after two-thirds of the contracting parties notified 
the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the amendment in 
October 2005. The U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to acceptance 
of the newly revised IPPC on October 18, 2000. The President submitted 
the official letter of acceptance to the FAO Director General on 
October 4, 2001.
    The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the 
national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is 
to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United 
States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program.
    Every 2 years, NPPOs and RPPOs propose topics for ISPMs, which are 
then prioritized and approved by the CPM. All contracting parties agree 
to the scope of the draft ISPM and then NPPOs and RPPOs nominate 
experts to draft the ISPM. The draft ISPM then enters the member 
consultation stage, in which countries submit comments. The comments 
are incorporated and the draft ISPM is presented for the final member 
consultation stage, and is then adopted by the CPM. On average, this 
process takes 5 to 7 years. More detailed information on the standard 
setting process can be found on the IPPC Web site.\1\
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    \1\ IPPC Standard Setting procedure: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting.
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    Each member country is represented on the CPM by a single delegate. 
Although experts and advisors may accompany the delegate to meetings of 
the CPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate) may represent 
each member country in considering a standard proposed for approval. 
Parties involved in a vote by the CPM are to make every effort to reach 
agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all efforts to reach 
a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a standard be passed 
by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and voting.
    Technical experts from the United States have participated directly 
in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft 
standards. The United States also has a representative on the Standards 
Committee, Capacity Development Committee, and the CPM Bureau. In 
addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and NAPPO have 
been sources of significant input for many of the standards adopted to 
date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards currently under 
consideration or up for adoption. Interested individuals may review the 
standards \2\ and submit comments to Dr. Marina Zlotina (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
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    \2\ Draft ISPMs submitted for member consultation: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/member-consultation-draft-ispms. Draft ISPMs submitted for substantial concerns 
commenting period: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/substantial-concerns-commenting-period-sccp-draft-ispms. 
Draft ISPMs submitted for adoption: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/formal-objections-draft-ispms-14-days-prior-cpm.
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    The 10th Session of the CPM took place from March 16 to 20, 2015, 
at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ program was the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy Administrator 
participated in the proceedings and discussed or commented on APHIS' 
position on any standards up for adoption.
    The following standards were adopted by the CPM at its 2015 
meeting. The United States participated in consideration of these 
standards. The

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U.S. position on each of these issues were developed prior to the CPM 
session and were based on APHIS' analysis, information from other U.S. 
Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from 
interested stakeholders:
     Annex 3 to ISPM 26 (Establishment of pest free areas for 
fruit flies (Tephritidae)) on Phytosanitary procedures for fruit fly 
(Tephritidae) management
     ISPM 5: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms
     Annexes to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus sinensis
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus reticulata x 
C. sinensis
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus limon
    [cir] Irradiation for Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Planococcus 
lilacinus, and Planococcus minor
     Annexes to ISPM 27: Diagnostic Protocols
    [cir] Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Aa on fruit
    [cir] Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri
    [cir] Potato spindle tuber viroid
    Other APHIS key achievements from the 2015 CPM meeting were to 
promote the IPPC Secretariat Enhancement Evaluation study, initiate the 
review of the IPPC standard setting process, lead and influence the 
international direction on electronic certification, support the 
establishment of the International Year of Plant Health in 2020, and 
continue to support plans for an international workshop in wood 
packaging material (ISPM 15).

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group (EWG) meetings or other technical 
consultations took place during 2015 on the topics listed below. These 
standard-setting initiatives are under development and may be 
considered for future adoption. APHIS intends to participate actively 
and fully in each of these working groups. The U.S. position on each of 
the topics to be addressed by these various working groups was 
developed prior to these working group meetings and was based on APHIS' 
technical analysis, information from other U.S. Government agencies, 
and relevant scientific information from interested stakeholders:
     EWG on the revision of ISPM 6: Guidelines for surveillance
     Technical Panel on Fruit Flies
     Technical Panel on the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms
     Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols
     Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments
    For more detailed information on the above, contact Dr. Marina 
Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    APHIS posts links to draft standards on the Internet as they become 
available and provides information on the due dates for comments.\3\ 
Additional information on IPPC standards (including the standard 
setting process and adopted standards) is available on the IPPC Web 
site.\4\ For the most current information on official U.S. 
participation in IPPC activities, including U.S. positions on standards 
being considered, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any of 
the areas of work being undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by 
responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing 
comments through Dr. Zlotina.
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    \3\ For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM member 
consultation: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/international/PhytosanitaryStandards/draft_standards.shtml.
    \4\ IPPC Web site: https://www.ippc.int/.
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NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United 
States, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, 
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating 
intra- and inter-regional trade. NAPPO conducts its work through 
priority-driven annual projects conducted by expert groups. Project 
results and updates are provided during the NAPPO annual meeting. The 
NAPPO Executive Committee issues a call for project proposals each 
year. Projects can include the development of positions, policies, or 
technical documents, or the development or revision of regional 
standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPMs). Projects can also include 
implementation of standards or other capacity building activities such 
as workshops. After the NAPPO region selects the projects for the year, 
expert groups are formed with subject matter experts from each member 
country, as well as representatives from key industries or commodity 
groups (e.g., nursery, seed, forestry, grains, potato, citrus, etc.). 
In the United States, draft standards are circulated to industry, 
States, and various government agencies for consideration and comment. 
The draft standards are posted on the Internet at https://www.nappo.org/. Once revisions are made, the proposal is sent to the 
NAPPO Working Group for technical review, and then to the Executive 
Committee for final approval, which is granted by consensus.
    The 40th NAPPO annual meeting will be held October 31 to November 
3, 2016, in Montreal, Canada. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting 
will take place during that meeting. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ, 
or his designee, is a member of the NAPPO Executive Committee.
    Below is a summary of the 2015 NAPPO work program as it relates to 
the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United States (i.e., 
USDA/APHIS) participates actively and fully in the NAPPO work program. 
The U.S. position on each topic is guided and informed by the best 
scientific information available on each of these topics. For each of 
the following topics, the United States considered its position on any 
draft standard after it reviewed a prepared draft. Information 
regarding the following NAPPO projects, assignments, activities, and 
updates on meeting times and locations may be obtained from the NAPPO 
homepage at https://www.nappo.org or by contacting Ms. Patricia Abad 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Additional information on 
the 2016 work program, once determined, will also be available on the 
NAPPO Web site.
    The following are the projects from the 2015 work program that were 
actively worked on:
    1. Biological Control: The Biological Control Expert Group 
organized a workshop in July 2015 to provide training on preparing a 
petition for first release of an entomophagous biological control agent 
according to requirements outlined in RSPM 12, ``Guidelines for 
petition for first release of non-indigenous entomophagous biological 
control agents.'' It also finalized the revision of the following 
standards based on country comments: RSPM 7 (2008), ``Guidelines for 
petition for first release of non-indigenous phytophagous biological 
control agents''; RSPM 12 (2008), ``Guidelines for petition for first 
release of non-indigenous entomophagous biological control agents''; 
and RSPM 29 (2008), ``Guidelines for the petition for import and 
release of non-Apis pollinating insects into NAPPO countries.'' 
Finally, the Expert Group revised RSPM 26 (2012), ``Certification of 
commercial arthropod biological control agents moving into NAPPO member 
countries, including the addition of non-Apis pollinators.''
    2. Citrus: The Citrus Expert Group used country comments to 
finalize a document on recommended measures

[[Page 12863]]

for the establishment and maintenance of area wide management programs 
for Huanglongbing and its vector. The Expert Group also reviewed and 
integrated comments from country consultation on the template for 
identifying new and emerging quarantine pests as well as on its 
application to Citrus leprosis virus. It also revised the treatment 
protocols for TP 01 (2009), Thermotherapy, and TP 02 (2009), Shoot-tip 
micro-grafting.
    3. Electronic Certification: The Electronic Certification Expert 
Group continued to provide input to the IPPC Steering Group, especially 
to help address mechanisms of exchange, security, and secure 
transmission of data and the standardization of data.
    4. Forestry: The Forestry area consisted of four Expert Groups: The 
Forestry Systems Expert Group finalized a specification for a possible 
standard on the potential use of systems approaches to manage pest 
risks associated with the movement of wood, based on country comments. 
The ISPM 15 Expert Group began preparations for a multi-region 
conference on ISPM 15 implementation, following the recommendation that 
came out of the NAPPO-Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission 
workshop. The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) Expert Group revised RSPM 33 
(2009), ``Guidelines for regulating the movement of ships and cargo 
from areas infested with the Asian gypsy moth.'' In November 2015, the 
AGM Expert Group also organized a training workshop for further 
development and implementation of an Asian gypsy moth program based on 
RSPM 33. Finally, the Lymantriids Expert Group continued on the 
development of a Science and Technology paper on the risks associated 
with Lymantriids of potential concern to the NAPPO region, identifying 
potential species and pathways of concern.
    5. Fruit: The Fruit Expert Group working on trapping protocols for 
pests of fruit reviewed and integrated comments from country 
consultation on the Annex to RSPM 17 (2010), ``Guidelines for 
development of, and efficacy verification for, lures and traps for 
arthropod pests of fruits.'' The document was approved and accepted as 
a new Surveillance Protocol (SP 02): Trapping Protocols for Pests of 
Fruit Entering into NAPPO Member Countries.
    6. Grain: The Grain Expert Group reviewed and integrated comments 
from country consultation of RSPM 13 (2009), ``Guidelines to establish, 
maintain and verify Karnal Bunt pest free areas in North America.''
    7. Phytosanitary Alert System: The Phytosanitary Alert System (PAS) 
Expert Group continued to manage the NAPPO pest reporting system and 
continued to review the unofficial pest alert product offered by the 
Phytosanitary Alert System.
    8. Plants for Planting: An Expert Group on Plum Pox worked on the 
revision of RSPM 18 (2004), ``Guidelines for phytosanitary action 
following detection of plum pox virus.''
    9. Potato: The Potato Expert Group was tasked with revising the 
pest list for RSPM 3 (2011), ``Guidelines for movement of potatoes into 
a NAPPO member country.'' They were also asked to review RSPM 3 to 
align it with ISPM 33 (2010), ``Pest free potato (Solanum spp.) 
micropropagative material and minitubers for international trade,'' and 
discuss any adjustments required by NAPPO member countries.
    10. Seed: The Seed Expert Group discussed the development of 
annexes to RSPM 36 (2013), ``Phytosanitary guidelines for the movement 
of seed into a NAPPO member country,'' to include treatments for seed 
borne and seed transmissible pests and to harmonize countries' import/
export phytosanitary requirements. They also organized a workshop in 
July 2015 on needs assessment of regulatory support of the North 
American seed industry.
    The PPQ Assistant Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. 
delegate to NAPPO, participates in the adoption of these regional plant 
health standards, including the work described above, once they are 
completed and ready for such consideration.
    The information in this notice contains all the information 
available to us on NAPPO standards under development or consideration. 
For updates on meeting times and for information on the expert groups 
that may become available following publication of this notice, go to 
the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at https://www.nappo.org or contact 
Ms. Patricia Abad (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). 
Information on official U.S. participation in NAPPO activities, 
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, may also be 
obtained from Ms. Abad. Those wishing to provide comments on any of the 
topics being addressed in the NAPPO work program may do so at any time 
by responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting 
comments through Ms. Abad.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of March 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05527 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P