Addition of Panama and Costa Rica to the List of Regions Affected With Screwworm, 4715-4716 [2025-00995]
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Notices
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart L–
Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–
1 through 319.56–12, referred to below
as the regulations), the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
prohibits or restricts the importation of
fruits and vegetables into the United
States from certain parts of the world to
prevent plant pests from being
introduced into or disseminated within
the United States.
Section 319.56–4 contains a
performance-based process for
approving the importation of fruits and
vegetables that, based on the findings of
a pest risk analysis, can be safely
imported subject to one or more of the
five designated phytosanitary measures
listed in paragraph (b) of that section.
APHIS received a request from the
national plant protection organization of
Indonesia to allow the importation of
fresh rhizomes (underground stems) of
wasabi, Eutrema japonicum (Miq.)
Koidz. (Brassicaceae), for consumption
from Indonesia into the United States.
As part of our evaluation of Indonesia’s
request, we have prepared a pest risk
assessment to identify the pests of
quarantine significance that could
follow the pathway of the importation of
fresh rhizomes of wasabi for
consumption from Indonesia into the
United States. Based on the pest risk
assessment, a risk management
document (RMD) was prepared to
identify phytosanitary measures that
could be applied to fresh rhizomes of
wasabi to mitigate the pest risk.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 319.56–4(c), we are announcing the
availability of our pest risk assessment
and RMD for public review and
comment. Those documents, as well as
a description of the economic
considerations associated with the
importation of fresh rhizomes of wasabi
for consumption from Indonesia into the
United States, may be viewed on the
Regulations.gov website or in our
reading room (see ADDRESSES above for
a link to Regulations.gov and
information on the location and hours of
the reading room). You may request
paper copies of the pest risk assessment
and RMD by calling or writing to the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the
subject of the analysis you wish to
review when requesting copies.
After reviewing any comments we
receive, we will announce our decision
regarding the import status of fresh
rhizomes of wasabi for consumption
from Indonesia into the United States in
a subsequent notice. If the overall
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19:42 Jan 15, 2025
Jkt 265001
conclusions of our analysis and the
Administrator’s determination of risk
remain unchanged following our
consideration of the comments, then we
will authorize the importation of fresh
rhizomes of wasabi for consumption
from Indonesia into the United States
subject to the requirements specified in
the RMD.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772,
and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a;
7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of
January 2025.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2025–00952 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2023–0062]
Addition of Panama and Costa Rica to
the List of Regions Affected With
Screwworm
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
We are advising the public
that we have added Panama and Costa
Rica to the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) list
maintained on the APHIS website of
regions considered affected with
screwworm. We took this action because
of the confirmation of screwworm in
these regions.
DATES: Panama was added to the list of
regions considered affected with
screwworm effective July 12, 2021.
Costa Rica was added to the list of
regions considered affected with
screwworm effective August 21, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information on Panama, contact:
Dr. Michael Ray, Regionalization
Evaluation Services, Strategy and
Policy, APHIS Veterinary Services, 920
Main Campus Drive, Venture II Suite
200, Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (919)
855–7225; email: AskRegionalization@
usda.gov.
For information on Costa Rica,
contact: Dr. Rebecca Gordon, APHIS
Veterinary Services, Regionalization
Evaluation Services, 920 Main Campus
Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606;
phone: (919) 338–4972; email:
AskRegionalization@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
regulations in 9 CFR part 93 (referred to
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
4715
below as the regulations) prohibit or
restrict the importation of certain
animals into the United States to
prevent the introduction of
communicable diseases of livestock.
Subparts C, D, E, and F of the
regulations govern the importation of
horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs,
respectively.
Horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs
may be imported into the United States
from the regions where screwworm is
considered to exist only if they are
inspected and, if necessary, treated for
screwworm according to the conditions
outlined in the regulations for each type
of animal. The requirements for horses
are set out in § 93.308(a)(3) and include
not only pre-embarkation and postarrival inspection and treatment
requirements, but also quarantine in the
United States for 7 days after arrival,
and examination by a veterinarian
before release from quarantine. The
requirements for ruminants and swine
are set out in §§ 93.405(a)(3) and
93.505(b), respectively, and are the same
as for horses, other than the 7-day
quarantine and final examination of the
animal. The requirements for dogs are
set out in § 93.600 and require that all
dogs from affected regions be inspected
and, if necessary, treated before
importation.
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a
list of regions APHIS considers affected
with screwworm on its website at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/
ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-andanimal-product-import-information/
animal-health-status-of-regions/. APHIS
will add a region to the list upon
determining that screwworm exists in
the region based on reports we receive
of detections of the pest from veterinary
officials of the exporting country, from
the World Organization for Animal
Health (WOAH), or from other sources
the Administrator determines to be
reliable.
On July 2, 2021, Panama reported a
detection of New World screwworm
(Cochliomyia hominivorax) to WOAH.
After that report, and after confirming
that the screwworm occurred in
livestock, on July 12, 2021, APHIS
added Panama to the list of regions
APHIS considers affected with
screwworm. In 2022, Panama requested
that APHIS evaluate the country for
New World screwworm. APHIS
concluded the evaluation in 2022 after
Panama reported additional detections
of screwworm throughout the country.
On July 17, 2023, Costa Rica reported
a detection of New World screwworm in
a dog to WOAH. On July 24, 2023,
APHIS responded by adding Costa Rica
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16JAN1
4716
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Notices
to the Temporary Restrictions list for the
import of animal commodities imported
from or transiting Costa Rica.
Subsequent follow-up reports to WOAH,
as well as epidemiological reports
submitted to APHIS from Costa Rica’s
National Service for Animal Health,
indicated further detections of
screwworm in livestock, including
cattle and sheep. Therefore, on August
21, 2023, APHIS added Costa Rica to the
list of regions APHIS considers affected
with screwworm.
As a result, horses, ruminants, swine,
and dogs from Panama and Costa Rica
are subject to APHIS import restrictions
designed to mitigate risk of screwworm
introduction into the United States. This
notice serves as an official record and
public notification of these actions.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301–
8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C.
9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of
January 2025.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2025–00995 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The U.S. Codex Office
Codex Alimentarius Commission:
Meeting of the Codex Committee on
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
U.S. Codex Office, USDA.
Notice of public meeting and
request for comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Codex Office is
sponsoring a public meeting on Feb 5,
2025. The objective of the public
meeting is to provide information and
receive public comments on agenda
items and draft U.S. positions to be
discussed at the 22nd Session of the
Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and
Vegetables (CCFFV), which will meet in
Mexico City, Mexico, from February 25–
March 1, 2025. The U.S. Manager for
Codex Alimentarius and the Under
Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs recognize the
importance of providing interested
parties the opportunity to obtain
background information on the 23rd
Session of the CCFFV and to address
items on the agenda.
DATES: The public meeting is scheduled
for February 5, 2025, from 11 a.m.–12:30
p.m. eastern time.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will
take place via video teleconference only.
Documents related to the 23rd Session
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
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19:42 Jan 15, 2025
Jkt 265001
of the CCFFV will be accessible via the
internet at the following address:
https://www.fao.org/fao-whocodexalimentarius/meetings/detail/en/
?meeting=CCFFV&session=23.
Mr. Dorian LaFond, U.S. Delegate to
the 23rd Session of CCFFV, invites
interested U.S. parties to submit their
comments electronically to the
following email address:
Dorian.LaFond@usda.gov.
Registration: Attendees may register
to attend the public meeting at the
following link: https://
www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/
vJIscOihrD8uGX42lENVyIB
4gIMrirpf_SE. After registering, you will
receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the meeting.
For further information about the 23rd
Session of the CCFFV, contact U.S.
Delegate, Mr. Dorian LaFond,
International Food Standards
Coordinator, Fruits and Vegetables
Program, Specialty Crops Division,
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, phone: +1
(202) 690–4944, email: Dorian.LaFond@
usda.gov. For additional information
regarding the public meeting, contact
the U.S. Codex Office by email at:
uscodex@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Codex Alimentarius Commission
was established in 1963 by two United
Nations organizations, the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the
World Health Organization (WHO).
Through the adoption of food standards,
codes of practice, and other guidelines
developed by its committees, and by
promoting their adoption and
implementation by governments, Codex
seeks to protect the health of consumers
and ensure fair practices in the food
trade.
The Terms of Reference of the Codex
Committee on Fresh Fruits and
Vegetables (CCFFV) are:
(a) To elaborate worldwide standards
and codes of practice as may be
appropriate for fresh fruits and
vegetables
(b) to consult, as necessary, with other
international organizations in the
standards development to avoid
duplication
The CCFFV is hosted by Mexico. The
United States attends the CCFFV as a
member country of Codex.
Issues To Be Discussed at the Public
Meeting
The following items from the
Provisional Agenda for the 23rd Session
of the CCFFV will be discussed during
the public meeting:
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• Matters arising from the Codex
Alimentarius Commission and other
committees;
• Matters arising from other
international organizations on the
standardization of fresh fruits and
vegetables;
• Draft standard for fresh dates;
• Proposed draft standard for fresh
curry leaves;
• Discussion paper on the review of
existing FFV standards;
• Consideration for proposals for new
work;
• Other Business.
Public Meeting
At the February 5, 2025, public
meeting, draft U.S. positions on the
agenda items will be described and
discussed, and attendees will have the
opportunity to pose questions and offer
comments. Written comments may be
offered at the meeting or sent to Mr.
Dorian LaFond, U.S. Delegate to the
23rd Session of the CCFFV, at
dorian.lafond@usda.gov. Written
comments should state that they relate
to activities of the 23rd Session of the
CCFFV.
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of
rulemaking and policy development is
important. Consequently, the U.S.
Codex Office will announce this Federal
Register publication online through the
USDA Codex web page located at:
https://www.usda.gov/codex, a link that
also offers an email subscription service
providing access to information related
to Codex. Customers can add or delete
their subscriptions themselves and have
the option to password-protect their
accounts.
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Discrimination Complaint Form, which
may be accessed online at https://
www.usda.gov/oascr/filing-programdiscrimination-complaint-usdacustomer, or write a letter signed by you
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4715-4716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00995]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0062]
Addition of Panama and Costa Rica to the List of Regions Affected
With Screwworm
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have added Panama and Costa
Rica to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) list
maintained on the APHIS website of regions considered affected with
screwworm. We took this action because of the confirmation of screwworm
in these regions.
DATES: Panama was added to the list of regions considered affected with
screwworm effective July 12, 2021. Costa Rica was added to the list of
regions considered affected with screwworm effective August 21, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information on Panama, contact: Dr. Michael Ray,
Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, APHIS
Veterinary Services, 920 Main Campus Drive, Venture II Suite 200,
Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (919) 855-7225; email:
[email protected].
For information on Costa Rica, contact: Dr. Rebecca Gordon, APHIS
Veterinary Services, Regionalization Evaluation Services, 920 Main
Campus Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (919) 338-4972;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 (referred
to below as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of
certain animals into the United States to prevent the introduction of
communicable diseases of livestock. Subparts C, D, E, and F of the
regulations govern the importation of horses, ruminants, swine, and
dogs, respectively.
Horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs may be imported into the United
States from the regions where screwworm is considered to exist only if
they are inspected and, if necessary, treated for screwworm according
to the conditions outlined in the regulations for each type of animal.
The requirements for horses are set out in Sec. 93.308(a)(3) and
include not only pre-embarkation and post-arrival inspection and
treatment requirements, but also quarantine in the United States for 7
days after arrival, and examination by a veterinarian before release
from quarantine. The requirements for ruminants and swine are set out
in Sec. Sec. 93.405(a)(3) and 93.505(b), respectively, and are the
same as for horses, other than the 7-day quarantine and final
examination of the animal. The requirements for dogs are set out in
Sec. 93.600 and require that all dogs from affected regions be
inspected and, if necessary, treated before importation.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a
list of regions APHIS considers affected with screwworm on its website
at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/animal-health-status-of-regions/.
APHIS will add a region to the list upon determining that screwworm
exists in the region based on reports we receive of detections of the
pest from veterinary officials of the exporting country, from the World
Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), or from other sources the
Administrator determines to be reliable.
On July 2, 2021, Panama reported a detection of New World screwworm
(Cochliomyia hominivorax) to WOAH. After that report, and after
confirming that the screwworm occurred in livestock, on July 12, 2021,
APHIS added Panama to the list of regions APHIS considers affected with
screwworm. In 2022, Panama requested that APHIS evaluate the country
for New World screwworm. APHIS concluded the evaluation in 2022 after
Panama reported additional detections of screwworm throughout the
country.
On July 17, 2023, Costa Rica reported a detection of New World
screwworm in a dog to WOAH. On July 24, 2023, APHIS responded by adding
Costa Rica
[[Page 4716]]
to the Temporary Restrictions list for the import of animal commodities
imported from or transiting Costa Rica. Subsequent follow-up reports to
WOAH, as well as epidemiological reports submitted to APHIS from Costa
Rica's National Service for Animal Health, indicated further detections
of screwworm in livestock, including cattle and sheep. Therefore, on
August 21, 2023, APHIS added Costa Rica to the list of regions APHIS
considers affected with screwworm.
As a result, horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from Panama and
Costa Rica are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to
mitigate risk of screwworm introduction into the United States. This
notice serves as an official record and public notification of these
actions.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31
U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of January 2025.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00995 Filed 1-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P