Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 151 - 200 of 208
Horse Protection; Public Meetings in California, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Animal Care program will host four additional meetings to present current information on the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and provide a forum for horse industry members and other interested persons to comment on the Horse Protection Program, development of the HPA Operating Plan for 2007 and beyond, and other Horse Protection matters. This notice provides the meetings' agendas, locations, and dates.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Tuberculosis
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the domestic tuberculosis eradication program.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Peer Reviewer's Certification Regarding Conflict of Interest
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection activity related to peer review of scientific information disseminated to the public by the Agency.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Field Release of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. APHIS has completed an environmental assessment and has concluded that this field test will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, APHIS has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement need not be prepared for this field test.
Interstate Movement of Garbage From Hawaii; Municipal Solid Waste
We are proposing to amend the regulations pertaining to certain garbage to provide for the interstate movement of garbage from Hawaii subject to measures designed to protect against the dissemination of plant pests into noninfested areas of the continental United States. We are proposing this action upon request in order to provide the State of Hawaii with additional waste disposal options, and after determining that the action would not result in the introduction of plant or animal pests or diseases into the continental United States from Hawaii. We are also proposing to make other amendments to the garbage regulations to clarify their intent and make them easier to understand.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Release of Genetically Engineered Tall Fescue and Genetically Engineered Italian Ryegrass
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using three transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of tall fescue plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance and that express the marker beta-glucuronidase; Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance; and Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered to lower the expression of the pollen allergen gene, Lol p1, that are also hygromycin resistant, and express the marker beta-glucuronidase. The purpose of the field trial is to study pollen viability, outcrossing, and hybridization between the two types of grasses. The study will also examine the effect of down- regulating the Lol p1 gene. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for these species of transgenic grasses. After assessment of the application, review of the relevant scientific information, and consideration of comments provided by the public, we have concluded that these field tests will not present a risk of introducing or disseminating a plant pest. We have completed an environmental assessment and have concluded that these field tests will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared for these field tests.
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Horse Protection Regulations
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Horse Protection Program.
Importation of Cattle From Mexico
We are withdrawing a proposed rule that would have added San Luis, AZ, as a port through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be imported into the United States. The proposed rule would also have removed provisions that limit the admission of cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases to the State of Texas and that prohibit the movement of such cattle into areas of Texas quarantined because of fever ticks. We are taking this action after considering the comments we received following the publication of the proposed rule.
Importation of Small Lots of Seed Without Phytosanitary Certificates
We are amending the nursery stock regulations to allow the importation of small lots of seed under an import permit with specific conditions, as an alternative to the current phytosanitary certificate requirement. This change is necessary because several entities that import small lots of seedindividual importers, scientists, horticultural societies, arboreta, and small businesseshave had difficulty obtaining the necessary certificates and have been adversely affected by the phytosanitary certificate requirement. The change makes it feasible for those entities to import small lots of seed and ensures prompt and consistent service for such importers while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States and providing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with necessary information about the quality, quantity, and diversity of the imported material.
National Animal Identification System; Notice of Web Conference Training Sessions for Animal Identification Number Managers and Resellers
We are informing producers and other stakeholders who plan to participate in the distribution of animal identification number (AIN) tags of the availability of additional training, via Web conferences, so that they can prepare to participate in this component of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) by becoming AIN managers or resellers. The Web conferences will provide more details about the administration of AIN tags, as well as provide a demonstration of the AIN Management System, the Web-based system for distributing and administering AINs in the NAIS.
National Animal Identification System (NAIS); Implementation Plan and Integration of Private and State Animal Tracking Databases With the NAIS
This notice announces the availability of three documents related to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS): A document that provides an update on the implementation plans, including operational milestones and participation goals; a document describing how private and State animal tracking databases may be integrated into the NAIS to provide animal health officials with animal movement information on an as-needed basis; and, in connection with the animal tracking databases document, a template for a cooperative agreement that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may enter into with organizations that wish to participate in the animal tracking database component of the NAIS.
Availability of an Evaluation of Asymptomatic Citrus Fruit as a Pathway for the Introduction of Citrus Canker Disease
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a document titled, ``Evaluation of asymptomatic citrus fruit (Citrus spp.) as a pathway for the introduction of citrus canker disease (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri).'' The evaluation concludes that it is highly unlikely that citrus canker could be introduced on asymptomatic, commercially produced citrus fruit that has been treated with disinfectant dips and subject to other mitigations. We are making the evaluation available to the public for review and comment.
Aquatic Snails; Permit Requirements for Importation and Interstate Movement
This document gives notice that we intend to begin consistently and routinely requiring that a permit must accompany all aquatic snails that are imported into the United States or that are moving interstate. We also intend to consistently require that shipments of aquatic snails, as with all other plant pests imported under permit, be subject to inspection and to begin routinely and consistently inspecting shipments of aquatic supplies or plants that may contain aquatic snails. This action is necessary in order to prevent the importation or interstate movement of certain species of aquatic snails which, if released into the environment, can become destructive agricultural pests.
Special Need Requests Under the Plant Protection Act
We are proposing to amend our domestic quarantine regulations to establish a process by which a State or political subdivision of a State could request approval to impose prohibitions or restrictions on the movement in interstate commerce of specific articles that are in addition to the prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Plant Protection Act provides that States or political subdivisions of States may make such special need requests, but there are currently no procedures in place for their submission or consideration. This action would establish a process by which States may make a special need request.
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Gull Hazard Reduction Program at John F. Kennedy International Airport
We are advising the public that a supplemental environmental impact statement will be prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to analyze alternatives and methods for the reduction of additional wildlife hazards to aircraft and human health and safety at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This action is a supplement to the Gull Hazard Reduction Program at John F. Kennedy International Airport Final Environmental Impact Statement, May 1994.
Importation of Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus in Growing Media From the Netherlands and Denmark
We are amending the regulations governing the importation of plants and plant products by adding Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) and Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis spp.) from the Netherlands and Denmark to the list of plants that may be imported in an approved growing medium subject to specified growing, inspection, and certification requirements. We are taking this action in response to requests from the Netherlands and Denmark and after determining that Christmas cactus and Easter cactus established in growing media can be imported without resulting in the introduction into the United States or the dissemination within the United States of a plant pest or noxious weed. This change will allow Christmas cactus and Easter cactus established in growing media to be imported into the United States from the Netherlands and Denmark under certain conditions.
Exotic Newcastle Disease; Quarantine Restrictions
We are proposing to make several changes to the exotic Newcastle disease domestic quarantine regulations, including adding an option for the movement of pet birds; adding restrictions on the interstate movement of live ratites out of quarantined areas; harmonizing the domestic and foreign regulations regarding the movement of dressed carcasses of dead birds and dead poultry, including one change to the importation regulations; providing for the use of alternative procedures for treating manure and litter and for composting; and adding an additional surveillance period after the conditions for removing quarantine are met before quarantine is removed. We have concluded that these proposed changes are necessary based on our experiences during the eradication programs for the 2002- 2003 outbreaks of exotic Newcastle disease in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. In the event of an exotic Newcastle disease outbreak, these changes would help to ensure that exotic Newcastle disease does not spread from quarantined areas and that exotic Newcastle disease is eradicated within quarantined areas.
Emerald Ash Borer; Quarantined Areas
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, three interim rules regarding emerald ash borer (EAB). The first interim rule established regulations restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from areas quarantined because of EAB and designated 13 counties in Michigan as quarantined areas. The second and third interim rules amended the regulations by adding areas in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to the list of areas quarantined because of EAB. As a result of those actions, the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas is restricted. The interim rules were necessary to prevent the artificial spread of EAB from infested areas in the States of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio into noninfested areas of the United States.
Tuberculosis; Reduction in Timeframe for Movement of Cattle and Bison From Modified Accredited and Accreditation Preparatory States or Zones Without an Individual Tuberculin Test
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the tuberculosis regulations to reduce, from 6 months to 60 days, the period following a whole herd test during which animals may be moved interstate from a modified accredited State or zone or from an accreditation preparatory State or zone without an individual tuberculin test. The interim rule was necessary due to our determination that the 6-month period during which individual tuberculin tests have not been required is too long given the risks of exposure to tuberculosis that exist in modified accredited and accreditation preparatory States or zones, especially those States or zones where there are wildlife populations affected with tuberculosis.
Pine Shoot Beetle; Interstate Movement of Pine Bark Products From Quarantined Areas
We are amending the pine shoot beetle regulations to allow pine bark products to be moved interstate from quarantined areas during the shoot feeding stage (July 1 through October 31) of the pine shoot beetle's life cycle without treatment. We are making this change because pine shoot beetles are not present in pine bark products during that stage. We are also establishing a management method to allow pine bark products to be moved interstate from quarantined areas during the overwintering stage (November 1 through March 31) and spring flight stage (April 1 through June 30) of the pine shoot beetle's life cycle. This action relieves restrictions on the interstate movement of pine bark products from quarantined areas during 4 months of the year and provides for the use of a management method as an alternative to fumigation with methyl bromide for pine bark products moved interstate from quarantined areas during the rest of the year.
Emerald Ash Borer; Quarantined Areas
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the emerald ash borer regulations by adding areas in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to the list of areas quarantined because of emerald ash borer. As a result of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer from infested areas in the States of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio into noninfested areas of the United States.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities; Technical Amendments
In a final rule published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2005, we amended the regulations regarding the importation of animals and animal products to establish a category of regions that present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United States via live ruminants and ruminant products and byproducts, and added Canada to this category. We also established conditions for the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant products and byproducts from such regions. In this document, we are clarifying our intent with regard to certain provisions in the final rule and are correcting several inconsistencies within the rule. These technical amendments will clarify the regulations.
Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to Quarantined Areas
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the pine shoot beetle regulations by adding counties in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to the list of quarantined areas. In addition, the interim rule designated the States of New Hampshire and Vermont, in their entirety, as quarantined areas based on their decision to no longer enforce intrastate movement restrictions. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle, a pest of pine trees, into noninfested areas of the United States.
Karnal Bunt; Criteria for Releasing Fields From Regulation
We are amending the Karnal bunt regulations regarding the requirements that must be met in order for a field or area to be removed from the list of regulated areas. The changes will allow a field to qualify for release after 5 cumulative years of specified management practices, rather than 5 consecutive years as the regulations have provided, and reorganize the manner in which those management practices are described. These changes will clarify the existing regulations and provide growers in regulated areas with greater flexibility in their planting decisions.
Animal Welfare; Animal Identification Standards
The Conference Committee Report accompanying the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-97), directed the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop appropriate regulations that allow for an open radio frequency identification technology microchip system that would enable a scanner to read all microchips used for the identification of pets. In addition, APHIS has received a petition from the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families requesting that we consider establishing a national identification standard for pets and publish a notice soliciting comments on the need for the adoption of ISO 11784 and 11785 as the national radio frequency technology standard for pets. We are currently considering the direction given in the congressional report and the petitioners' request. This notice solicits public comment on potential changes to our regulations that would address the use of microchips for identifying animals covered under the Animal Welfare Act and advises the public that APHIS is hosting a series of informational meetings on that subject and the issues raised in the conference committee report and the petition.
Horse Protection; Public Meeting in Springfield, MO
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Animal Care program will host a meeting to present current information on the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and provide a forum for horse industry members and other interested persons to comment on the Horse Protection Program, development of the HPA Operating Plan for 2007 and beyond, and other Horse Protection matters. This notice provides the meeting's agenda, location, and date.
Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Bahiagrass
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using two transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of Argentine bahiagrass plants that are genetically engineered to express resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. Each of 4 sets of 12 genetically engineered bahiagrass plants will be encircled with a ring of several untransformed cultivars of bahiagrass. The purpose of the field trial is to study the likelihood of hybrid formation as a result of pollen movement from the transgenic plants to the nontransgenic plants. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for this species of transgenic grass. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.
Importation of Peppers From Certain Central American Countries
We are amending the regulations governing the importation of fruits and vegetables in order to allow certain types of peppers grown in approved registered production sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to be imported, under certain conditions, into the United States without treatment. The conditions to which the importation of peppers will be subject, including trapping, pre-harvest inspection, and shipping procedures, are designed to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. This action will allow for the importation of peppers from those countries in Central America while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States.
Karnal Bunt; Addition and Removal of Regulated Areas in Arizona
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Karnal bunt regulations by adding certain areas in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, AZ, to the list of regulated areas and by removing certain areas or fields in Maricopa County, AZ, from the list of regulated areas. Those actions were necessary to prevent the spread of Karnal bunt into noninfected areas of the United States and to relieve restrictions on certain areas that were no longer necessary.
Importation of Fruits and Vegetables
We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to list a number of fruits and vegetables from certain parts of the world as eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the United States. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
National Animal Identification System (NAIS); Administration of Official Identification Devices With the Animal Identification Number
This notice makes available a document describing how an animal identification number (AIN) may be used in conjunction with official identification devices in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The document includes performance and printing requirements for visual identification tags with AINs and provides an explanation of the process by which these AIN tags will be authorized for use in the NAIS. Performance standards for radio frequency identification tags or devices that may be used on cattle or bison to supplement visual AIN tags are also presented. Finally, the document describes the AIN Management System, a Web-based system for distributing and administering AINs in the NAIS, and discusses the roles and responsibilities of key participants in the system.
Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Field Testing Marek's Disease-Newcastle Disease Vaccine, Serotypes 2 and 3, Live Virus, Live Marek's Disease Vector
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment concerning authorization to ship for the purpose of field testing, and then to field test, an unlicensed Marek's Disease-Newcastle Disease Vaccine, Serotypes 2 and 3, Live Virus, Live Marek's Disease Vector. The environmental assessment, which is based on a risk analysis prepared to assess the risks associated with the field testing of this vaccine, examines the potential effects that field testing this veterinary vaccine could have on the quality of the human environment. Based on the risk analysis, we have reached a preliminary determination that field testing this veterinary vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, and that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. We intend to authorize shipment of this vaccine for field testing following the close of the comment period for this notice unless new substantial issues bearing on the effects of this action are brought to our attention. We also intend to issue a U.S. Veterinary Biological Product license for this vaccine, provided the field test data support the conclusions of the environmental assessment and the issuance of a finding of no significant impact and the product meets all other requirements for licensing.
Phytosanitary Treatments; Location of Treatment Schedules and Other Requirements; Correction
We are correcting an error in the amendatory instructions in our final rule that removed the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual from the list of materials incorporated by reference and added treatment schedules and related requirements from that document to our phytosanitary treatments regulations. The final rule was effective and published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2005 (70 FR 33264-33326, Docket No. 02-019-1).
Importation of Nursery Stock
We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would make several changes to the nursery stock regulations. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
Draft Exotic Fruit Fly Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2006-2010
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a draft Exotic Fruit Fly Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2006 through 2010. We are making this draft strategic plan available to the public for review and comment.
Oriental Fruit Fly; Removal of Quarantined Area
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Oriental fruit fly regulations by removing a portion of Los Angeles County, CA, from the list of quarantined areas and removing restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. The interim rule was necessary to relieve restrictions that were no longer needed to prevent the spread of the Oriental fruit fly into noninfested areas of the United States.
Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Tall Fescue and Genetically Engineered Italian Ryegrass
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using three transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of tall fescue plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance and that express the marker beta-glucuronidase, Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance, and Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered to lower the expression of the pollen allergen gene, Lol p1, and that are also hygromycin resistant and express the marker beta-glucuronidase. The purpose of the field trial is to study pollen viability, outcrossing, and hybridization between the two types of grasses. The study will also examine the effect of down-regulating the Lol p1 gene. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for these species of transgenic grasses. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.
Availability of Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Field Trial of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.
Add Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine to List of Regions in Which Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Is Considered To Exist
We are amending the regulations concerning the importation of animals and animal products by adding Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine to the list of regions in which highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 is considered to exist. We are taking this action because there have been outbreaks of HPAI subtype H5N1 in those countries. This action is necessary to prevent the introduction of HPAI subtype H5N1 into the United States.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly; Add Portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Santa Clara Counties, CA, to the List of Quarantined Areas
We are amending the Mediterranean fruit fly regulations by adding portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Santa Clara Counties, CA, to the list of quarantined areas and restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas. This action is necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly into noninfested areas of the United States. We are also amending the regulations to provide for the use of spinosad bait spray as an alternative treatment for premises. This new treatment option will provide an alternative to the use of malathion bait spray for premises that produce regulated articles within the quarantined area but outside the infested core area.
Imported Fire Ant; Additions to Quarantined Areas in Arkansas and Tennessee
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the imported fire ant regulations by designating as quarantined areas all of 1 county in Arkansas and all or portions of 18 counties in Tennessee. As a result of the interim rule, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of imported fire ant to noninfested areas of the United States.
Importation of Tomatoes From Certain Central American Countries
We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of fruits and vegetables in order to allow pink and red tomatoes grown in approved registered production sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama to be imported into the United States without treatment. The conditions to which the proposed importation of tomatoes would be subject, including trapping, pre-harvest inspection, and shipping procedures, are designed to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. This action would allow for the importation of pink and red tomatoes from those countries in Central America while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States.
Monsanto Company; Availability of Determination of Nonregulated Status for Corn Genetically Engineered To Express High Lysine Levels
We are advising the public of our determination that the Monsanto Company corn designated as transformation event LY038, which has been genetically engineered to express a lysine-insensitive dihydrodipicolinate synthase (cDHDPS) enzyme to allow for the accumulation of higher levels of lysine in the germ of the seed, is no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. Our determination is based on our evaluation of data submitted by the Monsanto Company in their petition for a determination of nonregulated status, our analysis of other scientific data, and comments received from the public in response to a previous notice announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and an environmental assessment. This notice also announces the availability of our written determination and our finding of no significant impact.
Black Stem Rust; Movement Restrictions and Addition of Rust-Resistant Varieties
We are amending the black stem rust quarantine and regulations by changing the movement restrictions in order to allow clonally propagated offspring of rust-resistant Berberis cultivars to move into or through a protected area without completing a 2-year growth period. This change will lessen an unnecessarily strict movement requirement. We are also adding 13 varieties to the list of rust-resistant Berberis species. This change allows for the interstate movement of these newly developed varieties without unnecessary restrictions.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; PPQ Form 816; Contract Pilot and Aircraft Acceptance
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of a new information collection activity for contract pilot and aircraft acceptance associated with the grasshopper and Mormon cricket control program.
Add Argentina to the List of Regions Considered Free of Exotic Newcastle Disease
We are amending the regulations by adding Argentina to the list of regions considered free of exotic Newcastle disease. We have conducted a risk evaluation and have determined that Argentina has met our requirements for being recognized as free of this disease. This action eliminates certain restrictions on the importation into the United States of poultry and poultry products from Argentina. We are also adding Argentina to the list of regions that, although declared free of exotic Newcastle disease, must provide an additional certification to confirm that any poultry or poultry products offered for importation into the United States originate in a region free of exotic Newcastle disease and that, prior to importation into the United States, such poultry or poultry products were not commingled with poultry or poultry products from regions where exotic Newcastle disease exists.
Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations; Minnesota
We are amending the bovine tuberculosis regulations regarding State and zone classifications by removing Minnesota from the list of accredited-free States and adding it to the list of modified accredited advanced States. This action is necessary to help prevent the spread of tuberculosis because Minnesota no longer meets the requirements for accredited-free State status.
Treatments for Fruits and Vegetables
We are amending the regulations by revising the approved doses for irradiation treatment of imported fruits and vegetables. This rule will establish a new minimum generic dose of irradiation for most plant pests of the class Insecta, establish a new minimum generic dose for the fruit fly family, reduce the minimum dose of irradiation for some specific fruit fly species, add 10 pests to the list of pests for which irradiation is an approved treatment at less than the generic dose, and provide for the use of irradiation as a treatment for cut flowers and foliage. These actions will allow the use of irradiation to neutralize more pests and to neutralize some pests at lower doses. Furthermore, we are providing for the irradiation of fruits and vegetables moved interstate from Hawaii at the pest-specific irradiation doses that are now approved for imported fruits and vegetables. We are also providing for the use of irradiation to treat fruits and vegetables moved interstate from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These actions will allow irradiation to serve as an alternative to other approved treatments for additional commodities moved interstate from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Finally, we are adding irradiation as a treatment for bananas from Hawaii and adding vapor- heat treatment as an optional treatment for sweetpotatoes from Hawaii. These actions will provide an alternative to the currently approved treatments for those commodities while continuing to provide protection against the spread of plant pests from Hawaii into the continental United States.
Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; ID
We are amending the brucellosis regulations concerning interstate movement of cattle by changing the classification of Idaho from Class Free to Class A. We have determined that Idaho no longer meets the standards for Class Free status. This action is necessary to prevent the interstate spread of brucellosis.
Melaleuca; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
We are advising the public that an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to the issuance of a permit for the environmental release of the nonindigenous fly Fergusonina turneri Taylor and its obligate nematode Fergusobia quinquenerviae Davies and Giblin-Davis, which are potential biological control agents of Melaleuca quinquenervia. The environmental assessment documents our review and analysis of environmental impacts associated with, and alternatives to, issuing a permit for the environmental release of the fly and its obligate nematode in the continental United States. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.