Importation of Fresh Pitahaya Fruit From Ecuador Into the Continental United States, 20575-20579 [2016-08189]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20575-20579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08189]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2016 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 20575]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 319

[Docket No. APHIS-2015-0004]
RIN 0579-AE12


Importation of Fresh Pitahaya Fruit From Ecuador Into the 
Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables 
regulations to allow the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit into the 
continental United States from Ecuador. As a condition of entry, the 
fruit would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach 
that would include requirements for fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest 
inspections, approved production sites, and packinghouse procedures 
designed to exclude quarantine pests. The fruit would also be required 
to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection 
organization of Ecuador stating that the consignment was produced and 
prepared for export in accordance with the requirements of the systems 
approach. This action would allow for the importation of fresh pitahaya 
from Ecuador while continuing to provide protection against the 
introduction of plant pests into the United States.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before June 
7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0004.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2015-0004, 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-
0004 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: Ms. Claudia Ferguson, M.S., Senior 
Regulatory Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, 
Imports, Regulations and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, (301) 851-2352; email: 
Claudia.Ferguson@aphis.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56-
1 through 319.56-75, referred to below as the regulations) prohibit or 
restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United 
States from certain parts of the world to prevent the introduction and 
dissemination of plant pests. The regulations currently do not 
authorize the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit (sometimes referred 
to as ``dragon fruit'') from Ecuador.
    The national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Ecuador has 
requested that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
amend the regulations in order to allow fresh fruit of any color of 
pitahaya (Hylocereus spp., Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., 
Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., Myrtillocactus spp., and Stenocereus 
spp.) to be imported into the continental United States. (Hereafter we 
refer to these species as ``pitahaya.'')
    As part of our evaluation of Ecuador's request, we prepared a pest 
risk assessment (PRA) and a risk management document (RMD). Copies of 
the PRA and the RMD may be obtained from the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site 
(see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
    The PRA, titled ``Importation of Pitahaya from Ecuador into the 
Continental United States (August 2013),'' evaluates the risks 
associated with the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit from Ecuador 
into the United States. The RMD relies upon the findings of the PRA to 
determine the phytosanitary measures necessary to ensure the safe 
importation into the continental United States of fresh pitahaya from 
Ecuador.
    The PRA identifies one quarantine pest present in Ecuador that 
could be introduced into the United States through the importation of 
fresh pitahaya: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), South American 
fruit fly.
    A quarantine pest is defined in Sec.  319.56-2 of the regulations 
as a pest of potential economic importance to the area endangered 
thereby and not yet present there, or present but not widely 
distributed and being officially controlled. Potential plant pest risks 
associated with the importation of fresh pitahaya from Ecuador into the 
continental United States were determined by estimating the 
consequences and likelihood of introduction of quarantine pests into 
the United States and ranking the risk potential as high, medium, or 
low. The PRA rated the insect A. fraterculus as having a high pest risk 
potential for following the pathway of fresh pitahaya from Ecuador into 
the continental United States.
    APHIS has determined that measures beyond standard port of arrival 
inspection are required to mitigate the risks posed by this plant pest. 
Therefore, we are proposing to allow the importation of fresh pitahaya 
from Ecuador into the continental United States produced under a 
systems approach. The RMD prepared for fresh pitahaya from Ecuador 
identifies a systems approach of specific mitigation measures against 
the quarantine pest identified in the PRA and concludes that those 
measures, along with the general requirements for the importation of 
fruits and vegetables in the regulations, will be sufficient to prevent 
the introduction of this pest into the United States. Therefore, we are 
proposing to add the systems approach to the regulations in a new Sec.  
319.56-76. The proposed measures are described below.

[[Page 20576]]

General Requirements

    Paragraph (a) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require the NPPO of 
Ecuador to provide an operational workplan to APHIS that details the 
activities that the NPPO would, subject to APHIS' approval of the 
workplan, carry out to meet the requirements of proposed Sec.  319.56-
76. An operational workplan is an agreement developed between APHIS' 
Plant Protection and Quarantine program, officials of the NPPO of a 
foreign government, and, when necessary, foreign commercial entities, 
that specifies in detail the phytosanitary measures that will be 
carried out to comply with our regulations governing the importation of 
a specific commodity. Operational workplans apply only to the signatory 
parties and establish detailed procedures and guidance for the day-to-
day operations of specific import/export programs. Operational 
workplans also establish how specific phytosanitary issues are dealt 
with in the exporting country and make clear who is responsible for 
dealing with those issues. The implementation of a systems approach 
typically requires an operational workplan to be developed.
    Paragraph (b) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require fresh 
pitahaya from Ecuador to be imported in commercial consignments only. 
Produce grown commercially is less likely to be infested with plant 
pests than noncommercial consignments. Noncommercial consignments are 
more prone to infestations because the commodity is often ripe to 
overripe, could be of a variety with unknown susceptibility to pests, 
and is often grown with little or no pest control.

Production Site Requirements

    Paragraph (c)(1) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require that all 
production sites participating in the fresh pitahaya export program be 
approved by and registered with the NPPO of Ecuador in accordance with 
the requirements of the operational workplan. Such registration would 
facilitate traceback of a consignment of pitahayas to the production 
site in the event that quarantine pests were discovered in the 
consignment at the packinghouse, or at the first port of arrival into 
the United States.
    Paragraph (c)(2) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require that 
trees and other structures, other than the crop itself, not shade the 
crop during the day. No other host of A. fraterculus would be permitted 
to be grown within 100 meters of the edge of the field. Pitahaya fruit 
that has fallen on the ground would have to be removed from the place 
of production at least once every 7 days and may not be included in 
field containers of fruit to be packed for export. Harvested pitahayas 
would have to be placed in field cartons or containers that are marked 
to show the place of production so that traceback is possible.
    Paragraph (c)(3) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require the NPPO 
of Ecuador or its approved designee \1\ to visit and inspect the 
production sites prior to each harvest in accordance with the 
operational workplan. APHIS may also monitor the places of production 
if necessary. If APHIS or the NPPO of Ecuador finds that a place of 
production is not complying with the requirements of the systems 
approach, no fruit from the place of production will be eligible for 
export to the continental United States until APHIS and the NPPO of 
Ecuador conduct an investigation and appropriate remedial actions have 
been implemented.
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    \1\ An approved designee is an entity with which the NPPO 
creates a formal agreement that allows that entity to certify that 
the appropriate procedures have been followed. The approved designee 
can be a contracted entity, a coalition of growers, or the growers 
themselves.
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    Paragraph (c)(4) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require trapping 
for the fruit fly A. fraterculus at each production site in accordance 
with the operational workplan. The NPPO of Ecuador would have to 
certify that exporting places of production have effective fruit fly 
trapping programs and follow control guidelines, when necessary, to 
reduce regulated pest populations. Personnel conducting the trapping 
and pest surveys would need to be hired, trained, and supervised by the 
NPPO of Ecuador. The trapping would have to begin at least 1 year 
before harvest begins and continue through the completion of harvest.
    Paragraph (c)(5) would state that, if more than an average of 0.07 
A. fraterculus per trap per day is trapped for more than 2 consecutive 
weeks, the production site would be ineligible for export until the 
rate of capture drops to less than that average. If levels exceed that 
average, from 2 months prior to harvest to the end of the shipping 
season, the production site would be prohibited from shipping under the 
systems approach until APHIS and the NPPO of Ecuador both agree that 
the pest risk has been mitigated. As conditions warrant, the average 
number of A. fraterculus per trap per day may be raised or lowered if 
jointly agreed to between APHIS and the NPPO of Ecuador in the 
operational workplan.
    Paragraph (c)(6) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require the NPPO 
of Ecuador to maintain records of trap placement, trap checks, and any 
quarantine pest captures in accordance with the operational workplan. 
Trapping records would have to be maintained for APHIS' review for at 
least 1 year.

Packinghouse Requirements

    We are proposing several requirements for packinghouse activities, 
which would be contained in paragraph (d) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76.
    Paragraph (d)(1) would state that the NPPO of Ecuador must monitor 
packinghouse operations to verify that the packinghouses are complying 
with the requirements of the systems approach. If the NPPO of Ecuador 
finds that a packinghouse is not complying with the requirements of the 
systems approach, no pitahaya fruit from the packinghouse will be 
eligible for export to the continental United States until APHIS and 
the NPPO of Ecuador conduct an investigation and both agree that the 
pest risk has been mitigated.
    Paragraph (d)(2) would require that fresh pitahaya be packed in a 
packinghouse registered with the NPPO of Ecuador. Such registration 
would facilitate traceback of a consignment of pitahaya fruit to the 
packinghouse in which it was packed in the event that quarantine pests 
were discovered in the consignment at the port of first arrival into 
the United States.
    Paragraph (d)(3) would require that the pitahaya be packed within 
24 hours of harvest in a pest-exclusionary packinghouse that meets the 
requirements of the operational workplan. The pitahaya would have to be 
safeguarded by an insect-proof mesh screen or plastic tarpaulin while 
in transit to the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. These 
safeguards would have to remain intact until arrival in the continental 
United States or the consignment would be denied entry.
    Paragraph (d)(4) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require that 
during the time that the packinghouse is in use for exporting fresh 
pitahayas to the continental United States, the packinghouse would only 
be allowed to accept pitahayas from registered production sites. This 
requirement would prevent such pitahayas intended for export to the 
continental United States from being exposed to or otherwise mixed with 
pitahayas that are not produced according to the requirements of the 
systems approach.

[[Page 20577]]

Phytosanitary Inspection

    Paragraph (e)(1) of proposed Sec.  319.56-76 would require that a 
biometric sample of pitahaya fruit jointly agreed upon by APHIS and the 
NPPO of Ecuador would need to be inspected in Ecuador by the NPPO of 
Ecuador following post-harvest processing. The biometric sample would 
be visually inspected for any quarantine pests, and a portion of the 
fruit would be cut open to detect internal signs of A. fraterculus.
    Paragraph (e)(2) would require that fruit presented for inspection 
at the port of entry to the United States be identified in the shipping 
documents accompanying each lot of fruit to specify the production site 
or sites, in which the fruit was produced, and the packing shed or 
sheds, in which the fruit was processed, in accordance with the 
requirements in the operational workplan. This identification would 
need to be maintained until the fruit is released for entry into the 
continental United States. The pitahaya fruit are subject to inspection 
at the port of entry for all quarantine pests of concern, including A. 
fraterculus. If a single larva of A. fraterculus is found in a shipment 
from a place of production (either by the NPPO in Ecuador or by 
inspectors at the continental United States port of entry), the entire 
lot of fruit would be prohibited from entry into the United States, and 
the place of production of that fruit would be suspended from the 
export program until appropriate measures, as agreed upon by the NPPO 
of Ecuador and APHIS, have been taken.

Phytosanitary Certificate

    To certify that the fresh pitahaya fruit from Ecuador has been 
grown and packed in accordance with the requirements of proposed Sec.  
319.56-76, paragraph (f) would require each consignment of fruit to be 
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of 
Ecuador, with an additional declaration stating that the fruit in the 
consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec.  319.56-76.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
    The proposed rule has been determined to be Not Significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed 
by the Office of Management and Budget.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we have performed an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis, which is summarized below, regarding 
the economic effects of this proposed rule on small entities. Copies of 
the full analysis are available by contacting the person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
    Based on the information we have, there is no reason to conclude 
that adoption of this proposed rule would result in any significant 
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. However, we 
do not currently have all of the data necessary for a comprehensive 
analysis of the effects of this proposed rule on small entities. 
Therefore, we are inviting comments on potential effects. In 
particular, we are interested in determining the number and kind of 
small entities that may incur benefits or costs from the implementation 
of this proposed rule.
    The proposed rule would amend the regulations to allow the 
importation of fresh pitahaya (of any color) (Hylocereus spp., 
Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., 
Myrtillocactus spp., and Stenocereus spp.) from Ecuador into the 
continental United States under a systems approach. Entities 
potentially affected by the proposed rule are U.S. pitahaya fruit 
growers, of which most, if not all, are small entities.
    APHIS has been marginally successful in acquiring information on 
the U.S. market for pitahaya fruit. At this point, we do not know the 
quantity of pitahaya fruit domestically produced, numbers of U.S. 
producers, the total quantity imported, or other factors needed to 
assess likely economic effects of this rule. Vietnam, the largest 
exporter of pitahaya to the United States, shipped 1,300 metric tons of 
the fruit to the United States in 2013. It is unknown what percentage 
of the total supply this represents. Domestically, pitahaya fruit is 
produced in Hawaii, California, and Florida. Hawaii's pitahaya 
production is mainly consumed within that State.
    The quantity of pitahaya fruit that would be imported from Ecuador 
is unknown. In 2014, Ecuador exported about 165 metric tons of pitahaya 
to 32 countries. They have indicated that, if this proposed rule is 
finalized, they expect to divert 147 shipments to the United States per 
year. Given that there is no consistent indication of the expected 
individual size of these shipments, it is unknown what percentage of 
the total exported tonnage this would represent, or the total quantity 
of these shipments. Lack of information about the quantity of pitahaya 
fruit that would be imported, and about the quantities produced by the 
United States, prevents a clear understanding of what the economic 
effects of the proposed rule may be.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule would allow fresh pitahaya to be imported into 
the continental United States from Ecuador. If this proposed rule is 
adopted, State and local laws and regulations regarding fresh pitahaya 
imported under this rule would be preempted while the fruit is in 
foreign commerce. Fresh fruit are generally imported for immediate 
distribution and sale to the consuming public and would remain in 
foreign commerce until sold to the ultimate consumer. The question of 
when foreign commerce ceases in other cases must be addressed on a 
case-by-case basis. If this proposed rule is adopted, no retroactive 
effect will be given to this rule, and this rule will not require 
administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court 
challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information collection or 
recordkeeping requirements included in this proposed rule have been 
submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
Please send written comments to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for APHIS, Washington, 
DC 20503. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-
2015-0004. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) APHIS, using one 
of the methods described under ADDRESSES at the beginning of this 
document, and (2) Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, Room 404-W, 14th 
Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    APHIS is proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations 
to allow the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit into the continental 
United States from Ecuador. As a condition of entry, the fruit would 
have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that would 
include requirements for fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest inspections, 
production sites, and packinghouse procedures designed to exclude 
quarantine pests. The fruit would also be required to be imported in 
commercial consignments and be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the NPPO of Ecuador stating that the consignment 
was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the 
requirements in the systems approach.
    This action would allow for the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit 
from Ecuador while continuing to provide

[[Page 20578]]

protection against the introduction of plant pests into the United 
States.
    Allowing the importation of fresh pitahaya fruit into the 
continental United States from Ecuador would require an operational 
workplan, registered production sites, trapping records, inspections, 
monitoring, packinghouse registrations, box labeling, shipping 
documents, and phytosanitary certificates.
    We are soliciting comments from the public (as well as affected 
agencies) concerning our proposed information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection, 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 information collection on those who 
are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses).
    Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.003 hours per response.
    Respondents: NPPO of Ecuador, producers, and exporters.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 132.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1,367.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 180,561.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 673 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.)
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Ms. 
Kimberly Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2727.

E-Government Act Compliance

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to 
compliance with the EGovernment Act to promote the use of the Internet 
and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities 
for citizen access to Government information and services, and for 
other purposes. For information pertinent to E-Government Act 
compliance related to this proposed rule, please contact Ms. Kimberly 
Hardy, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2727.

International Trade Data System

    The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 \2\ 
(``SAFE Act'') requires the interagency establishment of a single 
portal system, known as the International Trade Data System (ITDS), to 
be operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This unified data 
system electronically collects and distributes import and export data 
required by government agencies that license or clear the import or 
export of goods. ITDS provides individuals and companies involved in 
the international trade of plants and plant products, including 
pitahaya from Ecuador, with an electronic format to secure necessary 
certifications, complete required forms, and provide information about 
the requirements and regulations relevant to the commodity of interest.
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    \2\ Public Law 109-347, October 13, 2006.
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List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 319

    Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Imports, Logs, Nursery stock, Plant 
diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rice, Vegetables.

    Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR part 319 as follows:

PART 319--FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 319 continues to read as follows:

    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.

0
2. Section 319.56-76 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  319.56-76  Pitahaya from Ecuador.

    Fresh pitahaya (Hylocereus spp., Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., 
Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., Myrtillocactus spp., and Stenocereus 
spp.) from Ecuador may be imported into the continental United States 
only under the conditions described in this section. These conditions 
are designed to prevent the introduction of the following quarantine 
pest: Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), South American fruit fly.
    (a) General requirements. The national plant protection 
organization (NPPO) of Ecuador must provide an operational workplan to 
APHIS that details activities that the NPPO of Ecuador will, subject to 
APHIS' approval of the workplan, carry out to meet the requirements of 
this section. The operational workplan must include and describe the 
specific requirements as set forth in this section.
    (b) Commercial consignments. Pitahaya from Ecuador may be imported 
in commercial consignments only.
    (c) Production site requirements. (1) All production sites that 
participate in the pitahaya export program must be approved by and 
registered with the NPPO of Ecuador in accordance with the operational 
workplan.
    (2) Trees and other structures, other than the crop itself, must 
not shade the crop during the day. No other host of A. fraterculus is 
permitted to be grown within 100 meters of the edge of the field. 
Pitahaya fruit that has fallen on the ground must be removed from the 
place of production at least once every 7 days and may not be included 
in field containers of fruit to be packed for export. Harvested 
pitahayas must be placed in field cartons or containers that are marked 
to show the place of production so that traceback is possible.
    (3) The production sites must be inspected prior to each harvest by 
the NPPO of Ecuador or its approved designee in accordance with the 
operational workplan. An approved designee is an entity with which the 
NPPO creates a formal agreement that allows that entity to certify that 
the appropriate procedures have been followed. If APHIS or the NPPO of 
Ecuador finds that a place of production is not complying with the 
requirements of the systems approach, no fruit from the place of 
production will be eligible for export to the continental United States 
until APHIS and the NPPO of Ecuador conduct an investigation and 
appropriate remedial actions have been implemented.
    (4) The registered production sites must conduct trapping for the 
fruit fly A. fraterculus at each production site in accordance with the 
operational workplan. Personnel conducting the trapping and pest 
surveys must be hired, trained, and supervised by the NPPO of Ecuador. 
The trapping must begin at least 1 year before harvest begins and 
continue through the completion of harvest.
    (5) If more than an average of 0.07 A. fraterculus per trap per day 
is trapped for more than 2 consecutive weeks, the production site will 
be ineligible for export until the rate of capture drops to less than 
that average. If levels exceed that average per trap per day, from 2 
months prior to harvest to the end of the shipping season, the 
production site

[[Page 20579]]

will be prohibited from shipping under the systems approach until APHIS 
and the NPPO of Ecuador both agree that the pest risk has been 
mitigated. As conditions warrant, the average number of A. fraterculus 
per trap per day may be raised or lowered if jointly agreed to between 
APHIS and the NPPO of Ecuador in the operational workplan.
    (6) The NPPO of Ecuador must maintain records of trap placement, 
checking of traps, and any quarantine pest captures in accordance with 
the operational workplan. Trapping records must be maintained for APHIS 
review for at least 1 year.
    (d) Packinghouse requirements. (1) The NPPO of Ecuador must monitor 
packinghouse operations to verify that the packinghouses are complying 
with the requirements of the systems approach. If the NPPO of Ecuador 
finds that a packinghouse is not complying with the requirements of the 
systems approach, no pitahaya fruit from the packinghouse will be 
eligible for export to the continental United States until APHIS and 
the NPPO of Ecuador conduct an investigation and both agree that the 
pest risk has been mitigated.
    (2) All packinghouses that participate in the pitahaya export 
program must be registered with the NPPO of Ecuador.
    (3) The pitahaya fruit must be packed within 24 hours of harvest in 
a pest-exclusionary packinghouse. The pitahaya must be safeguarded by 
an insect-proof mesh screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to 
the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. These safeguards must 
remain intact until arrival in the continental United States or the 
consignment will be denied entry.
    (4) During the time the packinghouse is in use for exporting 
pitahaya fruit to the continental United States, the packinghouse may 
only accept pitahaya fruit from registered production sites.
    (e) Phytosanitary inspection. (1) A biometric sample of pitahaya 
fruit (jointly agreed upon by APHIS and the NPPO) must be inspected in 
Ecuador by the NPPO of Ecuador following post-harvest processing. The 
biometric sample must be visually inspected for any quarantine pests, 
and a portion of the fruit will be cut open to detect internal signs of 
A. fraterculus.
    (2) Pitahaya fruit presented for inspection at the port of entry to 
the United States must be identified in the shipping documents 
accompanying each lot of fruit to specify the production site or sites, 
in which the fruit was produced, and the packing shed or sheds, in 
which the fruit was processed, in accordance with the requirements in 
the operational workplan. This identification must be maintained until 
the fruit is released for entry into the continental United States. The 
pitahaya fruit are subject to inspection at the port of entry for all 
quarantine pests of concern, including A. fraterculus. If a single 
larva of A. fraterculus is found in a shipment from a place of 
production (either by the NPPO in Ecuador or by inspectors at the 
continental United States port of entry), the entire lot of fruit will 
be prohibited from export, and the place of production of that fruit 
will be suspended from the export program until appropriate measures 
agreed upon by the NPPO of Ecuador and APHIS have been taken.
    (f) Phytosanitary certificate. Each consignment of pitahaya fruit 
must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO 
of Ecuador bearing the additional declaration that the consignment was 
produced and prepared for export in accordance with the requirements of 
Sec.  319.56-76.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of April 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08189 Filed 4-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P