Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service September 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are advising the public that we have prepared an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to the release of the hoverfly Cheilosia urbana for the biological control of hawkweeds (Pilosella species), a significant invasive weed, within the contiguous United States. Based on our finding of no significant impact, we have determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

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 regulations for the interstate movement of certain land tortoises.

We are advising the public that we have prepared commodity import evaluation documents (CIEDs) relative to the importation into the United States of Unshu oranges from Japan. Currently, Unshu oranges imported into the United States from the islands of Shikoku or Honshu must be fumigated with methyl bromide as a mitigation for mites and mealybugs if the oranges are destined to a port of entry in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Texas. Additionally, Unshu oranges from the island of Kyushu are prohibited entry into Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, or Texas. Based on the findings of the CIEDs, we are proposing to remove the fumigation requirement for Unshu oranges from the islands of Honshu and Shikoku and to allow Unshu oranges from the island of Kyushu to be imported into any port of entry in the United States (excluding territories). We are making the CIEDs available to the public for review and comment.

We are advising the public that we have added Laos to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). We have taken this action because of confirmation of ASF in Laos.

We are proposing to amend our regulations to remove the domestic pine shoot beetle (PSB) quarantine and to eliminate the restrictions that apply to the importation of PSB host material from Canada. We have prepared an analysis of regulatory options, which we are making available for public review and comment, that evaluates the effectiveness of the regulatory program in slowing the spread of the pest and reducing damages. This action would provide flexibility to the States as they manage PSB, would allow Federal resources spent on this program to be allocated elsewhere, and would remove PSB-related interstate movement and importation restrictions on PSB regulated articles.

We are advising the public that we have prepared a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact relative to the release of Ceratapion basicorne for the biological control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae), in the continental United States. Based on our finding of no significant impact, we have determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

We are correcting an error in a notice published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2019, which announced a forthcoming National Wildlife Services Committee meeting. We provided an incorrect arrival time for attendees. This document corrects that error. The meeting will still begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. on September 18 and 19, 2019.

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 regulations for the importation of table eggs from regions where Newcastle disease exists and exportation of poultry and hatching eggs from the United States.