International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities, 103765-103769 [2024-30318]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2024 / Notices
garner qualitative customer and
stakeholder feedback in an efficient,
timely manner. By qualitative feedback
we mean information that provides
useful insights on perceptions and
opinions but are not statistical surveys
that yield quantitative results that can
be generalized to the population of
study. This feedback will provide
insights into customer or stakeholder
perceptions, experiences, and
expectations, provide an early warning
of issues with service, or focus attention
on areas where communication,
training, or changes in operations might
improve delivery of products or
services. These collections will allow
for ongoing, collaborative, and
actionable communications between the
Agency and its customers and
stakeholders. It will also allow feedback
to contribute directly to the
improvement of program management.
The Agency will collect, analyze, and
interpret information gathered through
this generic clearance to identify
strengths and weaknesses of the current
services, information, and make
improvements in service delivery based
on feedback. The solicitation of
feedback will target areas such as:
timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of
information, courtesy, efficiency of
service delivery, and resolution of
issues with service delivery. Responses
will be assessed to plan and inform
efforts to improve or maintain the
quality of service offered to the public.
The Agency will only submit a
collection for approval under this
generic clearance if it meets the
following conditions:
• Information gathered will be used
only internally for general service
improvement and program management
purposes and is not intended for release
outside of the agency (if released,
procedures outlined in Question 16 will
be followed);
• Information gathered will not be
used for the purpose of substantially
informing influential policy decisions;
• Information gathered will yield
qualitative information; the collections
will not be designed or expected to
yield statistically reliable results or used
as though the results are generalizable to
the population of study;
• The collections are voluntary;
• The collections are low-burden for
respondents (based on considerations of
total burden hours, total number of
respondents, or burden-hours per
respondent) and are low-cost for both
the respondents and the Federal
Government;
• The collections are noncontroversial and do not raise issues of
concern to other Federal agencies;
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• Any collection is targeted to the
solicitation of opinions from
respondents who have experience with
the program or may have experience
with the program in the near future; and
• With the exception of information
needed to provide remunerations for
participants of focus groups and
cognitive laboratory studies, personally
identifiable information (PII) is
collected only to the extent necessary
and is not retained.
As a general matter, information
collections will not result in any new
system of records containing privacy
information and will not ask questions
of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs,
and other matters that are commonly
considered private.
The projected average annual burden
estimates for the next three years are
listed below. The burdens have been
increased from the 60-day notice
amounts due to internal agency
discussions on expected needs.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 200,000.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 200,000.
Average Minutes per Response: 15
minutes.
Annual Burden Hours: 50,000 hours.
Frequency: On occasion.
Dated: December 16, 2024.
Taniesha D. Tolbert,
Supervisory Records Information
Management Specialist, Bureau for
Management, Office of Management Services,
Information and Records Division.
[FR Doc. 2024–30258 Filed 12–18–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2024–0009]
International Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Standard-Setting
Activities
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with section
491 of the Trade Agreements Act of
1979, as amended, and 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
SUMMARY:
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Secretariat of the International Plant
Protection Convention, and the North
American Plant Protection Organization,
and we are soliciting public comment
on these standard-setting activities.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–
2024–0009 in the Search field. Select
the Documents tab, then select the
Comment button in the list of
documents.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2024–0009, 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 regulations.gov or in
our reading room, which is located in
Room 1620 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
general information on the topics
covered in this notice, contact Mr. Eric
Nichols, Director, Trade Support Team,
APHIS–IS, Room 1627–S, USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250;
(202) 799–7122.
For specific information regarding
standard-setting activities of the World
Organization for Animal Health, contact
Dr. Paul Gary Egrie, Office of
International Affairs, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit
33, Riverdale, MD 20737; (227) 215–
2876.
For specific information regarding the
standard-setting activities of the
International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC), contact Dr. Marina
Zlotina, IPPC Technical Director,
International Phytosanitary Standards,
Plant Protection and Quarantine,
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
20737; (301) 832–0611;
marina.a.zlotina@usda.gov.
For specific information on the North
American Plant Protection Organization
(NAPPO), contact Stephanie Dubon,
NAPPO Technical Director,
International Phytosanitary Standards,
Plant Protection and Quarantine,
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
20737; (301) 332–9071;
Stephanie.M.Dubon@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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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 standardsetting (SPS) 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 SPS 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 (WOAH) 1 regarding animal
health; (3) developed under the auspices
of the Secretariat of the International
Plant Protection Convention (IPPC or
the Convention) and 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
1 The World Organization for Animal Health
internationally follows a British English spelling of
‘‘organisation’’ in its name; it was formerly the
Office International des Epizooties, or OIE, but on
May 28, 2022, the organization announced that the
acronym was changed from OIE to WOAH.
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United States-Mexico-Canada
Agreement (USMCA) 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 activities of Codex, WOAH,
IPPC, and NAPPO. The U.S. Codex
Office (USCO), in the United States
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s)
Trade and Foreign Affairs mission area,
informs the public of standard-setting
activities of Codex, and the USDA
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) informs the public of
WOAH, IPPC, and NAPPO standardsetting activities.
USCO publishes an annual notice in
the Federal Register to inform the
public of SPS activities for Codex (86 FR
29987). Codex was established in 1963
by two United Nations organizations,
the Food and Agriculture Organization
and the World Health Organization. It is
the principle international organization
for establishing food standards that
protect consumer health and promote
fair practices in food trade.
APHIS is responsible for publishing
an annual notice of WOAH, IPPC, and
NAPPO activities related to
international standards for plant and
animal health and representing the
United States with respect to these
standards. Following are descriptions of
the WOAH, 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 WOAH, 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 standardsetting issue, or in providing comments
on a specific standard that may be under
development, to contact APHIS. Contact
information is provided at the beginning
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of this notice under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
WOAH Standard-Setting Activities
The WOAH was established in Paris,
France, in 1924, with the signing of an
international agreement by 28 countries.
It is currently composed of 183
Members, each of which is represented
by a delegate who, in most cases, is the
chief veterinary officer of that country
or territory. The Deputy Administrator
of APHIS’ Veterinary Services program
is the U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer and
serves as the official U.S. Delegate to the
WOAH. The WTO has recognized the
WOAH as the international forum for
setting animal health standards,
reporting global animal disease events,
and presenting guidelines and
recommendations on sanitary measures
relating to animal health.
The WOAH facilitates
intergovernmental cooperation to
prevent the spread of contagious
diseases in animals by sharing scientific
research among its Members. The major
functions of the WOAH are to collect
and disseminate information on the
distribution and occurrence of animal
diseases and to ensure that sciencebased standards govern animal disease
control efforts and international trade in
animals and animal products. The
WOAH also aims to achieve these
objectives through the development and
revision of international standards for
diagnostic tests and vaccines.
The WOAH provides annual reports
on the global distribution of animal
diseases, recognizes Members’ disease
status 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 WOAH
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 presented to WOAH’s World
Assembly of Delegates (all the Members)
for review and adoption during the
General Session, which meets annually
every spring. Adoption, as a general
rule, is based on consensus of the
WOAH membership.
The 90th WOAH General Session was
held from May 21 to 25, 2023, in Paris,
France. The following are some of the
chapters adopted into code during the
90th Session; visit https://
www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/
standards/codes-and-manuals/ for a full
list of the current WOAH codes and
manuals:
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• User’s Guide.
• Glossary.
• Chapter 1.3., Diseases, Infections,
and Infestations Listed by WOAH.
• Chapter 8.14., Infection with Rabies
Virus.
• Chapter 8.15., Infection with Rift
Valley Fever Virus.
• Chapter 10.9., Infection with
Newcastle Disease Virus.
• Chapter 11.4., Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy.
• Chapter 12.2., Contagious Equine
Metritis.
• Chapter 12.2., Infection with
Taylorella equigenitalis (Contagious
Equine Metritis).
• Chapter 12.6., Infection with Equine
Influenza Virus.
• Chapter 12.7., Infection with
Theileria equi and Babesia caballi
(Equine Piroplasmosis).
• Chapter 14.X., Infection with
Theileria Lestoquardi, T. Luwenshuni
and T. Uilenbergi.
• Chapter 16.1., Infection with
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus.
• Chapter 8.Y., Infection with
Leishmania Spp. Leishmaniosis.
More information on the standards
currently under consideration and how
comments are solicited may be found at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
international-standards/woah or by
contacting Dr. Paul Gary Egrie (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
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IPPC Standard-Setting Activities
The IPPC is a multilateral convention
adopted in 1952 to prevent the spread
and introduction of pests of plants and
plant products and to promote
appropriate measures for their control.
The WTO recognizes the IPPC as the
standard-setting body for plant health.
Under the IPPC, the understanding of
plant protection encompasses the
protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants from direct or indirect
injury by plant pests. The IPPC
addresses the following activities:
Developing, adopting, and
implementing international standards
for phytosanitary (plant health)
measures (ISPMs); harmonizing
phytosanitary activities through adopted
standards; facilitating the exchange of
official and scientific information
among contracting parties; and
providing technical assistance to
developing countries that are
contracting parties to the Convention.
The IPPC is deposited within the
Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations and is an
international agreement of 185
contracting parties. National plant
protection organizations (NPPOs), in
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cooperation with regional plant
protection organizations, the
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures
(CPM), and the Secretariat of the IPPC,
implement the Convention. The IPPC
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 NPPO is
the APHIS Plant Protection and
Quarantine (PPQ) program.
The 17th Session of the CPM was held
in Rome, Italy, from March 27 to March
31, 2023.
The U.S. CPM adopted the following
international phytosanitary standards in
2023. The United States develops its
position on each of these draft standards
prior to the CPM session based on
APHIS’ analyses and other relevant
information from other U.S.
Government agencies and interested
stakeholders:
• ISPM 5: Glossary of phytosanitary
terms (2021 revisions).
• Annex to ISPM 20 (Guidelines for a
phytosanitary import regulatory
system): Use of specific import
authorizations.
• Revision of ISPM 18 (Requirements
for the use of irradiation as a
phytosanitary measure).
The following phytosanitary
treatments were adopted as Annexes to
ISPM 28:
• Phytosanitary treatments for
regulated pests: PT 45: Irradiation
treatment for Pseudococcus
jackbeardsleyi.
IPPC Standard-Setting Initiatives,
Including Those Under Development
A number of expert working group
(EWG) meetings and technical
consultations took place from October
2022 through September 2023 on the
topics listed below. These IPPC projects
are currently under development and
intended for future adoption and
publication. APHIS participated actively
and fully in most of these drafting
groups. APHIS developed its position
on each of the topics prior to the
working group meeting. The APHIS
position was based on relevant scientific
information and technical analyses,
including information from other U.S.
Government agencies and from
interested stakeholders:
• EWG for revision of ISPMs on Pest
Risk Analysis.
• EWG for revision of ISPM 26
(Establishment of pest-free areas for
fruit flies).
• EWG for drafting Annex to ISPM 23
(Guidelines for inspection): Field
inspection (including growing season
inspection).
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• Technical Panel on Commodity
Standards (TPCS) drafted the first
commodity standard as an Annex to
ISPM 46 (Commodity-specific standards
for phytosanitary measures):
International movement of mango fresh
fruit (Mangifera indica).
• Publishing of ‘‘IPPC Guide to
support the implementation of ISPM
15.’’
• Technical Panel on Diagnostic
Protocols.
• Technical Panel on Phytosanitary
Treatments.
• Technical Panel for the Glossary.
The IPPC electronic certification
system (ePhyto) solution also progressed
in 2023. There are currently 98 trading
partners that are connected and actively
sharing ePhytos through the system;
APHIS continues to make important
contributions to advancing the
development of an international ePhyto
system, including: (1) Providing ongoing
input and support at the IPPC through
the Bureau, SPG, Commission, and
other international fora; (2) generating
regional support for this new electronic
exchange system at the hemispheric
level through NAPPO and the InterAmerican Coordinating Group for Plant
Protection (GICSV); and (3) actively
working on a long-term funding solution
that will be necessary to sustain ePhyto
into the future. For more detailed
information on the above, contact Dr.
Marina Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above).
PPQ actively works to achieve broad
participation by States, industry, and
other stakeholders in the development
and use of international and regional
plant health standards, including
through the use of APHIS Stakeholder
Registry notices 2 and the APHIS public
website. Plant health stakeholders are
strongly encouraged to submit topics for
new IPPC standards and comment on
draft standards, documents, and
specifications during the consultation
periods.
In 2023, 12 draft documents were
open for consultation, including
specifications, a Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures (CPM)
recommendation, standards, diagnostic
protocols, and phytosanitary treatments.
APHIS posts links to draft standards on
its website as they become available and
provides information on the due dates
for comments.3 Additional information
2 To sign up for the Stakeholder Registry, go to:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/
USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.
3 For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM
consultation, go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
international-standards/plant-health-standards/
draft.
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on IPPC standards (including the IPPC
work program (list of topics,4) calls for
new standards, experts to serve on
technical panels and other working
groups, proposed phytosanitary
treatments, the standard-setting process,
and adopted standards) is available on
the IPPC website.5
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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NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities
NAPPO, a regional plant protection
organization created in 1976 under the
IPPC, coordinates the efforts among the
United States, Canada, and Mexico to
protect their plant resources from the
entry, establishment, and spread of
harmful plant pests, while facilitating
safe intra- and inter-regional trade. As
the NPPO of the United States, APHIS
PPQ is the organization officially
identified to participate in NAPPO.
Through NAPPO, APHIS works closely
with its regional counterparts and
industries to develop harmonized
regional standards and approaches for
managing pest threats.
This critical work facilitates the safe
movement of plants and plant products
into and within the region. NAPPO
conducts its work through prioritydriven projects approved by the NAPPO
Executive Committee via an annual
work program. These projects are
completed by expert groups, including
subject matter experts from each
member country and regional industry
representatives. Project results and
updates are provided during the NAPPO
annual meeting as well as NAPPO
governance meetings. Projects can
include the development of positions,
policies, technical documents, or the
development or revision of regional
standards for phytosanitary measures
(RSPMs). Projects can also include
implementation of standards or other
capacity development activities such as
workshops.
The PPQ Associate Deputy
Administrator, as the official U.S.
delegate to NAPPO, intends to
participate in the adoption of these
4 IPPC list of topics: https://www.ippc.int/en/coreactivities/standards-setting/list-topics-ippcstandards/.
5 IPPC website: https://www.ippc.int/.
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regional plant health standards and
projects on the work program once they
are completed and ready for
consideration.
The 45th NAPPO annual meeting was
held virtually from October 18 to 20,
2022, and hosted by Canada. The
meeting featured several strategic topics
related to NAPPO’s work program (e.g.,
seeds, forest pests, lab accreditation,
plants for planting, biological control,
and risk-based sampling), as well as
discussions on sea containers, invasive
species, the International Year of Plant
Health (IYPH), the USMCA, and a live
ePhyto exchange demonstration
between the United States and Jamaica.
The meeting also featured a 1-day
symposium on the decision-making
procedures used by the three countries
(Canada, Mexico, and the United States)
when an exotic plant pest is confirmed
in a NAPPO member country. The
NAPPO Executive Committee meetings
took place on the impacts of climate
change on plant health.
NAPPO governance committees,
including NAPPO’s Executive
Committee and the Advisory and
Management Committee, as well as
expert groups, continue to communicate
and meet virtually on a regular basis to
actively make progress on NAPPO
strategic and work program initiatives.
The PPQ Associate Deputy
Administrator or PPQ designee is the
U.S. member of the NAPPO Executive
Committee. The NAPPO Executive
Committee met November 9, 2022;
March 8, 2023; and June 28, 2023. The
NAPPO Executive Committee adopted
one regional standard between October
1, 2022, and September 30, 2023:
Revisions to RSPM 35: Guidelines for
the movement of propagative plant
material of stone fruit, pome fruit, and
grapevine into a NAPPO member
country.
NAPPO’s Advisory and Management
Committee (AMC) continues to regularly
meet virtually and in person. The AMC
selects and onboards experts to newly
launched NAPPO expert groups;
addresses pending work program
initiatives; makes recommendations to
the Executive Committee; provides dayto-day oversight of NAPPO; and
provides expert input and direction on
financial, programmatic, and
operational issues at NAPPO.
The NAPPO expert groups, including
member countries’ subject matter
experts, in collaboration with NAPPO’s
Secretariat, significantly made progress
on or finalized the following regional
standards from October 2022 through
September 2023:
• Completed the development or
revision and consultation of the
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following regional standards: Revision
of RSPM 35: Guidelines for the
movement of propagative plant material
of stone fruit, pome fruit, and grapevine
into a NAPPO member country; Update
to NAPPO Discussion Document 05:
Management of Huanglongbing (HLB)
and its vector, the Asian-Citrus Psyllid,
Diaphorina citri; Guidance document on
ISPM 25: Standardization of
responsibilities and actions for
safeguarding consignments that have
transited one NAPPO country to enter
another NAPPO country.
• Issued via NAPPO’s Phytosanitary
Alert System: 22 Official Pest Reports
from October 1, 2022, to September 30,
2023.
New NAPPO Standard-Setting
Initiatives, Including Those in
Development
The 2023 work program 6 includes
topics being worked on by NAPPO
expert groups and NAPPO’s Advisory
and Management Committee. APHIS
actively and fully participates in the
development and approval of the
NAPPO work program. The APHIS
position on each topic is guided and
informed by the best technical and
scientific information available, as well
as on relevant input from stakeholders.
For each of the following, where
applicable, the United States will
consider its position on any draft
standard after it reviews a prepared
draft. Information regarding the
following NAPPO projects, assignments,
activities, and updates on meeting times
and locations may be obtained from the
NAPPO website or by contacting
Stephanie Dubon (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above).
1. Seed Diagnostics: A pilot for the
harmonization of diagnostic protocols
for seed pests focused on Tomato brown
rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
2. Development of harmonized
regional guidance for North America
based on ISPM 25: Consignments in
transit and the IPPC Transit Manual.
The information in this notice
contains all the information available to
APHIS PPQ on NAPPO standards or
projects 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,
visit the NAPPO website or contact
Stephanie Dubon (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above).
PPQ actively works to achieve broad
participation by States, industry, and
other stakeholders in the development
6 NAPPO work program: https://nappo.org/
english/governance/work-program.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2024 / Notices
and use of international and regional
plant health standards, including
through the use of APHIS Stakeholder
Registry notices 7 and the APHIS public
website. Plant health stakeholders are
strongly encouraged to comment on
draft standards, documents, and
specifications during consultation
periods. APHIS posts links to draft
standards on the website as they become
available and provides information on
the due dates for comments.8 Additional
information on NAPPO standards
(including the NAPPO work program,
calls for projects, expert groups, the
standard-setting process, and adopted
standards) is available on the NAPPO
website.9
For the most current information on
official U.S. participation in NAPPO
activities, including U.S. positions on
standards being considered, contact
Stephanie Dubon (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those
wishing to provide comments on any of
the areas of work being undertaken at
NAPPO may do so at any time by
responding to this notice (see
ADDRESSES above) or by providing
comments through Stephanie Dubon.
Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of
December 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–30318 Filed 12–18–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2022–0031]
Notice of Availability of a Final
Supplemental Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for Emergency
Response for Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza Outbreaks in the United
States Migratory Bird Flyways
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We are advising the public
that we have prepared a final
supplemental environmental assessment
(EA) and finding of no significant
impact (FONSI) relative to our
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
7 To sign up for the Stakeholder Registry, go to:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/
USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.
8 For more information on NAPPO consultation:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/internationalstandards/plant-health-standards/draft.
9 NAPPO website: https://nappo.org.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:08 Dec 18, 2024
Jkt 265001
emergency response activities for highly
pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in
commercial and backyard poultry
operations located in the four migratory
bird flyways in the United States. This
final supplemental EA supplements the
initial EA and FONSI we published in
September 2022, which evaluated the
environmental impacts associated with
the first seven States where highly
pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks
occurred. Based on our FONSI, we have
determined that an environmental
impact statement need not be prepared
for the proposed action as described in
this final supplemental EA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Chelsea Bare, Chief of Staff, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Whitten Building Room 318–E,
Washington, DC 20250; (515) 337–6128;
chelsea.j.bare@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS),
Veterinary Services (VS), has been
delegated the authority under the
Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
8301–8322) to protect the health of
livestock, poultry, and aquaculture
populations in the United States by
preventing the introduction and
interstate spread of serious diseases and
pests of livestock, poultry, and
aquaculture, and eradicating such
diseases within the United States when
feasible. Highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) is an extremely
infectious disease and often fatal to
poultry.1 Avian influenza (AI) viruses
may circulate freely in wild bird
populations without the birds appearing
sick. As these birds migrate, they carry
HPAI and other AI viruses with them
and may subsequently transmit AI to
domestic birds. HPAI can rapidly spread
within and between domestic poultry
flocks and wild bird (especially
waterfowl) populations. It is APHIS’
objective to stamp out HPAI as rapidly
as possible at locations where it has
been found. Preventing the entry of
diseased birds and eggs into the United
States, monitoring AI in migratory birds,
identifying AI strains occurring
primarily in migratory waterbird
species, as well as backyard and
commercial poultry flocks, and
stamping out HPAI as it arises in
1 Domestic poultry that can be affected include
chickens; turkeys; ring-necked pheasants; ducks;
geese; common, Japanese, or bobwhite quail; Indian
peafowl; chukar or grey partridge; pigeons; ostrich;
and guinea fowl.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
103769
domestic poultry is important for the
long-term maintenance of disease-free
United States poultry stocks.
In response to outbreaks of the HPAI
H5N1 (AI strain) virus subtype in
commercial and backyard poultry flocks
that began on February 8, 2022, we
published a draft environmental
assessment (EA) and draft finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) in April
2022 to allow VS to carry out emergency
response activities in seven States
(Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, New York,
Maine, Delaware, and Michigan). A final
EA titled ‘‘Emergency Response for
HPAI Outbreaks in Seven States’’ and
final FONSI were published in
September 2022.2
Since the preparation and publication
of the final EA and FONSI for the initial
seven States, HPAI outbreaks have
continued to occur across the United
States. As of November 21, 2024, the
virus was confirmed in 538 commercial,
661 backyard, and 32 other types (e.g.,
live bird markets, rehabilitation
facilities) of flocks, affecting
approximately 110 million birds in 49
States.3 As HPAI outbreaks have been
stamped out, new outbreaks emerge and
are likely to continue with seasonal (i.e.,
spring and fall) bird migrations. For this
reason, we prepared a supplemental EA
titled ‘‘Emergency Response for Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks
in the United States Migratory Bird
Flyways’’ to cover HPAI emergency
response activities in other impacted
States in the four North American
migratory bird flyways (i.e., the
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and
Pacific Flyways).
On August 24, 2023, we published in
the Federal Register (88 FR 57923–
57924, Docket No. APHIS–2022–0031) a
notice in which we announced the
availability, for public review and
comment, of a draft supplemental EA
and draft FONSI that examined the
potential environmental impacts
associated with HPAI response activities
for additional outbreaks in commercial
and backyard poultry operations in
other impacted States in the four North
American migratory bird flyways.4
We solicited comments on the draft
supplemental EA and FONSI for 30 days
2 To view the draft EA, draft FONSI, the
comments we received, the final EA, and the final
FONSI, go to www.regulations.gov and enter
APHIS–2022–0031 in the Search field.
3 Current HPAI outbreak data can be accessed at
APHIS’ website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-diseaseinformation/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai (last
visited November 21, 2024).
4 To view the draft supplemental EA, draft
FONSI, and the comment we received, go to
www.regulations.gov and enter APHIS–2022–0031
in the Search field.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 103765-103769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30318]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0009]
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 section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of
1979, as amended, and 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 these standard-setting activities.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov.
Enter APHIS-2024-0009 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab,
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2024-0009, 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 regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located
in Room 1620 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 general information on the topics
covered in this notice, contact Mr. Eric Nichols, Director, Trade
Support Team, APHIS-IS, Room 1627-S, USDA South Building, 14th Street
and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7122.
For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of
the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Paul Gary Egrie,
Office of International Affairs, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 River
Road, Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 20737; (227) 215-2876.
For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities
of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), contact Dr.
Marina Zlotina, IPPC Technical Director, International Phytosanitary
Standards, Plant Protection and Quarantine, APHIS, 4700 River Road,
Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 832-0611; [email protected].
For specific information on the North American Plant Protection
Organization (NAPPO), contact Stephanie Dubon, NAPPO Technical
Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, Plant Protection and
Quarantine, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 332-
9071; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 103766]]
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
standard-setting (SPS) 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 SPS 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 (WOAH)
\1\ regarding animal health; (3) developed under the auspices of the
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC or
the Convention) and 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 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) or the
member countries of the WTO.
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\1\ The World Organization for Animal Health internationally
follows a British English spelling of ``organisation'' in its name;
it was formerly the Office International des Epizooties, or OIE, but
on May 28, 2022, the organization announced that the acronym was
changed from OIE to WOAH.
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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 activities of Codex,
WOAH, IPPC, and NAPPO. The U.S. Codex Office (USCO), in the United
States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Trade and Foreign Affairs
mission area, informs the public of standard-setting activities of
Codex, and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
informs the public of WOAH, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting
activities.
USCO publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform
the public of SPS activities for Codex (86 FR 29987). Codex was
established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and
Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. It is the
principle international organization for establishing food standards
that protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.
APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of WOAH, IPPC,
and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and
animal health and representing the United States with respect to these
standards. Following are descriptions of the WOAH, 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 WOAH, 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.
WOAH Standard-Setting Activities
The WOAH was established in Paris, France, in 1924, with the
signing of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently
composed of 183 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate
who, in most cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or
territory. The Deputy Administrator of APHIS' Veterinary Services
program is the U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer and serves as the official
U.S. Delegate to the WOAH. The WTO has recognized the WOAH as the
international forum for setting animal health standards, reporting
global animal disease events, and presenting guidelines and
recommendations on sanitary measures relating to animal health.
The WOAH facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research
among its Members. The major functions of the WOAH are to collect and
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern animal
disease control efforts and international trade in animals and animal
products. The WOAH also aims to achieve these objectives through the
development and revision of international standards for diagnostic
tests and vaccines.
The WOAH provides annual reports on the global distribution of
animal diseases, recognizes Members' disease status 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 WOAH 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 presented to WOAH's World Assembly of
Delegates (all the Members) for review and adoption during the General
Session, which meets annually every spring. Adoption, as a general
rule, is based on consensus of the WOAH membership.
The 90th WOAH General Session was held from May 21 to 25, 2023, in
Paris, France. The following are some of the chapters adopted into code
during the 90th Session; visit https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/ for a full list of the current WOAH codes
and manuals:
[[Page 103767]]
User's Guide.
Glossary.
Chapter 1.3., Diseases, Infections, and Infestations
Listed by WOAH.
Chapter 8.14., Infection with Rabies Virus.
Chapter 8.15., Infection with Rift Valley Fever Virus.
Chapter 10.9., Infection with Newcastle Disease Virus.
Chapter 11.4., Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Chapter 12.2., Contagious Equine Metritis.
Chapter 12.2., Infection with Taylorella equigenitalis
(Contagious Equine Metritis).
Chapter 12.6., Infection with Equine Influenza Virus.
Chapter 12.7., Infection with Theileria equi and Babesia
caballi (Equine Piroplasmosis).
Chapter 14.X., Infection with Theileria Lestoquardi, T.
Luwenshuni and T. Uilenbergi.
Chapter 16.1., Infection with Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus.
Chapter 8.Y., Infection with Leishmania Spp.
Leishmaniosis.
More information on the standards currently under consideration and
how comments are solicited may be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/international-standards/woah or by contacting Dr. Paul Gary Egrie (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
IPPC Standard-Setting Activities
The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 to prevent
the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and
to promote appropriate measures for their control. The WTO recognizes
the IPPC as the standard-setting body for plant health. Under the IPPC,
the understanding of plant protection encompasses the protection of
both cultivated and non-cultivated plants from direct or indirect
injury by plant pests. The IPPC addresses the following activities:
Developing, adopting, and implementing international standards for
phytosanitary (plant health) measures (ISPMs); harmonizing
phytosanitary activities through adopted standards; facilitating the
exchange of official and scientific information among contracting
parties; and providing technical assistance to developing countries
that are contracting parties to the Convention.
The IPPC is deposited within the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations and is an international agreement of 185
contracting parties. National plant protection organizations (NPPOs),
in cooperation with regional plant protection organizations, the
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), and the Secretariat of the
IPPC, implement the Convention. The IPPC 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 NPPO is the APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine
(PPQ) program.
The 17th Session of the CPM was held in Rome, Italy, from March 27
to March 31, 2023.
The U.S. CPM adopted the following international phytosanitary
standards in 2023. The United States develops its position on each of
these draft standards prior to the CPM session based on APHIS' analyses
and other relevant information from other U.S. Government agencies and
interested stakeholders:
ISPM 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms (2021 revisions).
Annex to ISPM 20 (Guidelines for a phytosanitary import
regulatory system): Use of specific import authorizations.
Revision of ISPM 18 (Requirements for the use of
irradiation as a phytosanitary measure).
The following phytosanitary treatments were adopted as Annexes to
ISPM 28:
Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests: PT 45:
Irradiation treatment for Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi.
IPPC Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those Under Development
A number of expert working group (EWG) meetings and technical
consultations took place from October 2022 through September 2023 on
the topics listed below. These IPPC projects are currently under
development and intended for future adoption and publication. APHIS
participated actively and fully in most of these drafting groups. APHIS
developed its position on each of the topics prior to the working group
meeting. The APHIS position was based on relevant scientific
information and technical analyses, including information from other
U.S. Government agencies and from interested stakeholders:
EWG for revision of ISPMs on Pest Risk Analysis.
EWG for revision of ISPM 26 (Establishment of pest-free
areas for fruit flies).
EWG for drafting Annex to ISPM 23 (Guidelines for
inspection): Field inspection (including growing season inspection).
Technical Panel on Commodity Standards (TPCS) drafted the
first commodity standard as an Annex to ISPM 46 (Commodity-specific
standards for phytosanitary measures): International movement of mango
fresh fruit (Mangifera indica).
Publishing of ``IPPC Guide to support the implementation
of ISPM 15.''
Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols.
Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments.
Technical Panel for the Glossary.
The IPPC electronic certification system (ePhyto) solution also
progressed in 2023. There are currently 98 trading partners that are
connected and actively sharing ePhytos through the system; APHIS
continues to make important contributions to advancing the development
of an international ePhyto system, including: (1) Providing ongoing
input and support at the IPPC through the Bureau, SPG, Commission, and
other international fora; (2) generating regional support for this new
electronic exchange system at the hemispheric level through NAPPO and
the Inter-American Coordinating Group for Plant Protection (GICSV); and
(3) actively working on a long-term funding solution that will be
necessary to sustain ePhyto into the future. For more detailed
information on the above, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above).
PPQ actively works to achieve broad participation by States,
industry, and other stakeholders in the development and use of
international and regional plant health standards, including through
the use of APHIS Stakeholder Registry notices \2\ and the APHIS public
website. Plant health stakeholders are strongly encouraged to submit
topics for new IPPC standards and comment on draft standards,
documents, and specifications during the consultation periods.
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\2\ To sign up for the Stakeholder Registry, go to: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.
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In 2023, 12 draft documents were open for consultation, including
specifications, a Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM)
recommendation, standards, diagnostic protocols, and phytosanitary
treatments. APHIS posts links to draft standards on its website as they
become available and provides information on the due dates for
comments.\3\ Additional information
[[Page 103768]]
on IPPC standards (including the IPPC work program (list of topics,\4\)
calls for new standards, experts to serve on technical panels and other
working groups, proposed phytosanitary treatments, the standard-setting
process, and adopted standards) is available on the IPPC website.\5\
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\3\ For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM consultation, go
to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/international-standards/plant-health-standards/draft.
\4\ IPPC list of topics: https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/standards-setting/list-topics-ippc-standards/.
\5\ IPPC website: https://www.ippc.int/.
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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.
NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities
NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among the United States,
Canada, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry,
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating
safe intra- and inter-regional trade. As the NPPO of the United States,
APHIS PPQ is the organization officially identified to participate in
NAPPO. Through NAPPO, APHIS works closely with its regional
counterparts and industries to develop harmonized regional standards
and approaches for managing pest threats.
This critical work facilitates the safe movement of plants and
plant products into and within the region. NAPPO conducts its work
through priority-driven projects approved by the NAPPO Executive
Committee via an annual work program. These projects are completed by
expert groups, including subject matter experts from each member
country and regional industry representatives. Project results and
updates are provided during the NAPPO annual meeting as well as NAPPO
governance meetings. Projects can include the development of positions,
policies, technical documents, or the development or revision of
regional standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPMs). Projects can
also include implementation of standards or other capacity development
activities such as workshops.
The PPQ Associate Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S.
delegate to NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these
regional plant health standards and projects on the work program once
they are completed and ready for consideration.
The 45th NAPPO annual meeting was held virtually from October 18 to
20, 2022, and hosted by Canada. The meeting featured several strategic
topics related to NAPPO's work program (e.g., seeds, forest pests, lab
accreditation, plants for planting, biological control, and risk-based
sampling), as well as discussions on sea containers, invasive species,
the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH), the USMCA, and a live
ePhyto exchange demonstration between the United States and Jamaica.
The meeting also featured a 1-day symposium on the decision-making
procedures used by the three countries (Canada, Mexico, and the United
States) when an exotic plant pest is confirmed in a NAPPO member
country. The NAPPO Executive Committee meetings took place on the
impacts of climate change on plant health.
NAPPO governance committees, including NAPPO's Executive Committee
and the Advisory and Management Committee, as well as expert groups,
continue to communicate and meet virtually on a regular basis to
actively make progress on NAPPO strategic and work program initiatives.
The PPQ Associate Deputy Administrator or PPQ designee is the U.S.
member of the NAPPO Executive Committee. The NAPPO Executive Committee
met November 9, 2022; March 8, 2023; and June 28, 2023. The NAPPO
Executive Committee adopted one regional standard between October 1,
2022, and September 30, 2023: Revisions to RSPM 35: Guidelines for the
movement of propagative plant material of stone fruit, pome fruit, and
grapevine into a NAPPO member country.
NAPPO's Advisory and Management Committee (AMC) continues to
regularly meet virtually and in person. The AMC selects and onboards
experts to newly launched NAPPO expert groups; addresses pending work
program initiatives; makes recommendations to the Executive Committee;
provides day-to-day oversight of NAPPO; and provides expert input and
direction on financial, programmatic, and operational issues at NAPPO.
The NAPPO expert groups, including member countries' subject matter
experts, in collaboration with NAPPO's Secretariat, significantly made
progress on or finalized the following regional standards from October
2022 through September 2023:
Completed the development or revision and consultation of
the following regional standards: Revision of RSPM 35: Guidelines for
the movement of propagative plant material of stone fruit, pome fruit,
and grapevine into a NAPPO member country; Update to NAPPO Discussion
Document 05: Management of Huanglongbing (HLB) and its vector, the
Asian-Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri; Guidance document on ISPM 25:
Standardization of responsibilities and actions for safeguarding
consignments that have transited one NAPPO country to enter another
NAPPO country.
Issued via NAPPO's Phytosanitary Alert System: 22 Official
Pest Reports from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023.
New NAPPO Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development
The 2023 work program \6\ includes topics being worked on by NAPPO
expert groups and NAPPO's Advisory and Management Committee. APHIS
actively and fully participates in the development and approval of the
NAPPO work program. The APHIS position on each topic is guided and
informed by the best technical and scientific information available, as
well as on relevant input from stakeholders. For each of the following,
where applicable, the United States will consider its position on any
draft standard after it reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding
the following NAPPO projects, assignments, activities, and updates on
meeting times and locations may be obtained from the NAPPO website or
by contacting Stephanie Dubon (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
above).
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\6\ NAPPO work program: https://nappo.org/english/governance/work-program.
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1. Seed Diagnostics: A pilot for the harmonization of diagnostic
protocols for seed pests focused on Tomato brown rugose fruit virus
(ToBRFV).
2. Development of harmonized regional guidance for North America
based on ISPM 25: Consignments in transit and the IPPC Transit Manual.
The information in this notice contains all the information
available to APHIS PPQ on NAPPO standards or projects 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, visit the NAPPO website or contact Stephanie Dubon (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
PPQ actively works to achieve broad participation by States,
industry, and other stakeholders in the development
[[Page 103769]]
and use of international and regional plant health standards, including
through the use of APHIS Stakeholder Registry notices \7\ and the APHIS
public website. Plant health stakeholders are strongly encouraged to
comment on draft standards, documents, and specifications during
consultation periods. APHIS posts links to draft standards on the
website as they become available and provides information on the due
dates for comments.\8\ Additional information on NAPPO standards
(including the NAPPO work program, calls for projects, expert groups,
the standard-setting process, and adopted standards) is available on
the NAPPO website.\9\
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\7\ To sign up for the Stakeholder Registry, go to: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.
\8\ For more information on NAPPO consultation: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/international-standards/plant-health-standards/draft.
\9\ NAPPO website: https://nappo.org.
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For the most current information on official U.S. participation in
NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on standards being
considered, contact Stephanie Dubon (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any of the areas
of work being undertaken at NAPPO may do so at any time by responding
to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through
Stephanie Dubon.
Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of December 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-30318 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P