Addition of Panama and Costa Rica to the List of Regions Affected With Screwworm, 4715-4716 [2025-00995]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Notices ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 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: PO 00000 Frm 00004 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 E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 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: VerDate Sep<11>2014 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: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • 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. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA. How To File a Complaint of Discrimination To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 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]


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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


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