The above standards and specifications would be included in the PPQ Treatment Manual, along with additional specific information regarding treatment procedures and the certification process. We would include a footnote in Sec. 319.376(d)(2) stating that the approval criteria may be found in the PPQ Treatment Manual. Interested persons may obtain this additional information by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Treatment of Lilac From The Netherlands

The regulations at Sec. 319.375(i) prohibit the importation of plants of the genera Syringa (lilac) from The Netherlands unless, at the time of arrival in the United States, the phytosanitary certificate accompanying the plants contains a declaration stipulating that: (1) The plants' parent stock was found free of plant diseases by inspection and indexing, (2) the plants were propagated either by rooting cutting from indexed parent plants or by grafting indexed parent plant material on seedling rootstalks, and (3) the plants were grown in soil that was fumigated with methyl bromide according to certain conditions. The Government of The Netherlands has requested that APHIS provide an alternative to treating the soil with methyl bromide, since methyl bromide is no longer allowed to be used in The Netherlands.

We currently require the soil to be fumigated with methyl bromide to ensure it does not contain live viruliferous nematodes. Soil that does not contain any viruliferous nematodes also would be safe, and we believe this could be determined through microscopic inspection of the soil. Therefore, as an alternative to fumigating the soil with methyl bromide, we are proposing to allow the soil to be certified free of viruliferous nematodes and other plant pests by the plant protection service of The Netherlands. For this certification to be valid, we would require that the soil be sampled and microscopically inspected by the plant protection service of The Netherlands within 12 months [[Page 67125]]
preceding the issuance of the certification. We are proposing this requirement because we believe that soil that is sampled and inspected annually would not present a significant risk of being infested with nematodes.
Changes in Pest Distributions

Peanut Stripe Virus

The regulations at Sec. 319.372(a) prohibit the importation of seeds of the genus Arachis (peanut) from India, Indonesia, Japan, the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand due to the existence of peanut stripe virus in those regions. We are proposing to remove the prohibition on the importation of peanuts from all of those regions except India because the peanut stripe virus is now reported to occur in seven of the nine peanutproducing States in the United States, and is widely prevalent in two of those States (Georgia and Virginia). The importation into the United States of peanuts from India would still be prohibited due to the existence of the Indian peanut clump virus in India.

Mango Seed Weevil

The regulations at Sec. 319.372(a) prohibit the importation of seeds of Mangifera spp. (mango) from certain regions due to the existence of the mango seed weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae, in those regions. We are proposing to also prohibit the importation of mango seeds from the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago due to recent reports that the mango seed weevil exists there. Currently, the mango seed weevil exists in Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Since there is no program in place to control the mango seed weevil in any of those areas, we would not restrict the movement of mango seeds into Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We are also proposing to allow the importation of mango seeds from Guimaras Island in the Republic of the Philippines due to the fact that neither the mango seed weevil, nor any other quarantine pest of mango seeds, exists on that island.

Watermark Disease of Willow

The regulations at Secs. 319.372(a) and 319.377(a)(3) prohibit or restrict the importation of plants of the genus Salix (willow) from the Federal Republic of Germany (West), German Democratic Republic (East), Great Britain, and The Netherlands due to the existence of watermark disease of willow, Erwinia salicis, in those regions. We are proposing to also prohibit the importation of willow plants from Belgium and Japan due to recent reports that watermark disease of willow exists in those regions. Currently, watermark disease of willow does not exist in the United States. We are also proposing to remove references to the former East and West Germany and refer instead to Germany.

Citrus Canker

The regulations at Sec. 319.376(e) provide that seeds of all species of the plant family Rutaceae from certain countries must be treated under certain conditions at the time of arrival at the port of first arrival in the United States for possible infection with citrus canker.

We are proposing to require the same treatment upon arrival for Rutaceae seeds from Gabon and Iran because citrus canker is reported to occur in each of those regions. Currently, citrus canker exists in the United States only in a portion of the State of Florida, where there is an eradication program underway.
Postentry Quarantine Regulations

Growing Agreements

The regulations at Sec. 319.377(d) require that a person who wishes to grow a restricted article under postentry quarantine must enter into a postentry quarantine growing agreement with APHIS. Under the regulations, growers who enter into such growing agreements may only grow a restricted article or increase from that article on certain premises, under certain conditions, and may only move, propagate, or allow propagation of the restricted articles with the written permission of an APHIS inspector.

We are proposing to amend the regulations to require that growers obtain permission to move, propagate, or allow propagation of a restricted article not from an APHIS inspector, but from the coordinator, Postentry Quarantine Unit, APHIS. We are proposing this change in order to make it clear who gives permission to move or increase plants in postentry quarantine.

States With Growing Agreements

Under the regulations at Sec. 319.377(c), articles required to undergo postentry quarantine under Sec. 319.377 may only be imported into a State that has entered into a written agreement with APHIS. Paragraph (c)(1)(i) of Sec. 319.377 is established as the location for the list of States that have entered into such agreements with APHIS, but does not currently list any States. As of the drafting of this proposed rule, all U.S. States and Territories except the District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands have entered into written postentry quarantine agreements with APHIS. Therefore, we are proposing to amend Sec. 319.377(c)(1)(i) to indicate that all U.S. States and Territories except those cited in the previous sentence have entered into written postentry quarantine agreements with APHIS. Requirements for the Importation of Hops

The regulations at Sec. 319.377(a) restrict the entry of plants of the genus Humulus (hops) from all foreign countries due to the existence of several foreign plant diseases known to affect hops. One such disease is the hops powdery mildew (HPM), which is caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca macularis. HPM currently exists in the United States in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

We are proposing to add a requirement in Sec. 319.377(d)(7)(iii) that a meristem culture of any imported hops plant must be grown and observed for 6 months in an isolated growth chamber in postentry quarantine. After 6 months, once the meristem culture has been established, the original plant would have to be destroyed, and the meristem culture would have to be grown in postentry quarantine for an additional year. This requirement would provide time for any symptoms of disease to become visible to inspectors. We are proposing this action to protect against the introduction of additional strains or biotypes of HPM into the United States.

Arrangement of Plants

The regulations at Sec. 319.377(d)(4) require restricted articles that are grown in postentry quarantine to be kept 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) apart from: (1) Any domestic plant or plant product of the same genus and (2) any other imported plant or plant product.

We are proposing to require restricted articles that are grown in postentry quarantine to be kept 3 meters apart from any other plant or plant product, whether domestic or imported, regardless of genus, unless the plants or plant products: (1) Are of the same genus, (2) enter postentry quarantine together, and (3) arrived together in a single shipment from a foreign region. This change would protect against the possibility that pests could spread from one shipment of plants under postentry quarantine to other plants or plant products, regardless of genera, that could host such pests.
[[Page 67126]]
Prohibited Articles Listed as Subject to Postentry Quarantine

The regulations in Sec. 319.377 require articles of the genus Ribes from New Zealand to be grown in postentry quarantine upon entry into the United States. Since the regulations in Sec. 319.372(a) currently prohibit the importation of articles of the genus Ribes from New Zealand due to the black currant reversion agent, we are proposing to correct the error in Sec. 319.377.

Also, the regulations at Sec. 319.377(b) list fruits and nuts, including articles of the genus Phoenix (date), as articles subject to postentry quarantine. However, Phoenix spp. articles are currently listed as prohibited articles in Sec. 319.372(a) of the regulations and should not be listed as articles subject to postentry quarantine. Therefore, we are proposing to remove the entry for Phoenix from the list in Sec. 319.377(b) of fruits and nut articles subject to postentry quarantine.
Labeling Requirements for GreenhouseGrown Plants From Canada

The regulations at Sec. 319.374(c) govern the importation of greenhousegrown plants from Canada. Among other things, Sec. 319.37 4(c) requires that the Plant Protection Division, Agriculture Canada, issue labels to each grower participating in the program. The labels must bear a unique number identifying the grower and bear the following statement: ``This shipment of greenhousegrown plants meets the import requirements of the United States, and is believed to be free from injurious plant pests. Issued by the Plant Protection Division, Agriculture Canada.'' Under Sec. 319.374(c), growers must apply these labels to each carton of plants to be shipped to the United States and to an airway bill, bill of lading, or delivery ticket. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 319.374 also requires that the Plant Protection Division of Agriculture Canada ensure that the label is placed on the outside of each container of plants and that the grower's label is placed on the airway bill, bill of lading, or delivery ticket accompanying each shipment of articles.

We are proposing to remove the requirement that the label be applied to each carton or container of plants. We believe that it is sufficient to place the label containing that information on the airway bill, bill of lading, or delivery ticket accompanying the shipment of plants. We are also proposing to update references to the Plant Protection Division of Agriculture Canada in Sec. 319.374(c) to reflect the reorganization of the agency. Agriculture Canada is now the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Plant Protection Division is now the Plant Health and Production Division.

Risk Assessments for Plants Established in Growing Media

The regulations at Sec. 319.378(g) provide pest risk evaluation standards to be used by APHIS to evaluate requests to allow additional taxa of plants established in growing media to be allowed importation into the United States. These guidelines generally follow the pest risk analysis guidelines established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization. The IPPC pest risk analysis guidelines are the international standards for conducting pest risk analyses. As an IPPC member country, the United States is obligated to conduct pest risk analyses in accordance with IPPC guidelines.

The existing standards were made effective in February 1995, and have been amended since. Therefore, in order to bring the regulations up to date with current procedure, we are proposing to remove the existing standards in Sec. 319.378(g) and add in their place a statement that APHIS will evaluate requests to allow the importation of additional taxa of plants in growing media in accordance with IPPC pest risk analysis guidelines. These guidelines are available by writing to USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Permits and Risk Assessment, Commodity Risk Analysis Branch, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737, or on the Internet at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pra/commodity/cpraguide.pdf. Commercial Shipments of Bulbs

The regulations at Sec. 319.372(a) prohibit the importation of plants of the genera Crocosmia, Gladiolus, and Watsonia from Africa, Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, and Portugal because of Uromyces transversalis (Theum.), commonly known as gladiolus rust, which is known to exist in those countries. However, recent research evaluated by APHIS shows that bulbs of Crocosmia spp., Gladiolus spp., and Watsonia spp. that are commercially packaged and processed prior to shipment to the United States present a low risk of carrying U. transversalis. We are, therefore, proposing to remove the prohibition in Sec. 319.372(a) on the importation of bulbs of Crocosmia spp., Gladiolus spp., and Watsonia spp. in commercial shipments from Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, and Portugal. The importation into the United States of commercial shipments of bulbs of Crocosmia spp., Gladiolus spp., and Watsonia spp. from Africa would still be prohibited due to the existence of several other varieties of rust in Africa. Approved Growing Media

The regulations at Sec. 319.378(e)(1) list approved growing media for plants that are allowed to be imported in growing media. We are proposing to add coal cinder, coir, Stockosorb superabsorbent polymer, and zeolite to the list of approved growing media in Sec. 319.37 8(e)(1). We have inspected each of these types of growing media and reviewed their respective manufacturers' specifications. Based on our inspection and review of the media's specifications, we have determined that the media are sterile and would not present new pathways for plant pests to enter the United States.

Approved Packing Material

The regulations at Sec. 319.379 list approved packing material for imported plants. We are proposing to add stockosorb superabsorbent polymer to the list of approved packing material in Sec. 319.379. We have inspected the material and reviewed its manufacturers' specifications. Based on our inspection and review of the material's specifications, we have determined that the material is sterile and would not present a new pathway for plant pests to enter the United States.

Ports of Entry

The regulations at Sec. 319.3714 list Federal plant inspection stations and ports of entry for plants offered for importation into the United States. Federal plant inspection stations are ports that have the capacity to process importations of restricted articles that are required to be accompanied by a written permit under the regulations in Sec. 319.373(a)(1) through (6), as well as any other imported plants or plant products. Other ports of entry cannot process shipments of plants or plant products that are imported under permit as specified above.

We are proposing to remove El Paso, TX, from the list of ports of entry designated as plant inspection stations because the port of El Paso no longer has the facilities or resources necessary to operate as a Federal plant inspection station. The port of El Paso would continue to operate as a port of entry.

Editorial Changes

We are proposing to replace all references to the former ``Burma,'' [[Page 67127]]
``Ivory Coast,'' and ``Upper Volta'' that are contained in the regulations with references to ``Myanmar,'' ``Cote d'Ivoire,'' and ``Burkina Faso,'' respectively. We would also correct several typographical errors in the regulations.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. The rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we have performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis, which is set out below, regarding the effects of this proposed rule on small entities. We do not currently have all the data necessary for a comprehensive analysis of the effects of this proposed rule on small entities. Therefore, we are inviting comments concerning potential economic effects. In particular, we are interested in determining the number and kind of small entities that may incur benefits or costs from implementation of this proposed rule.

Under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 77017772), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to regulate the importation of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of injurious plant pests.

We are proposing to amend the regulations for importing nursery stock to require additional certifications for imported niger seed and lilac, to reflect recent changes in plant taxonomy and pest distributions, and to make various changes to the requirements for postentry quarantine of imported plants. We are also proposing several other amendments to update and clarify the regulations and improve their effectiveness. The potential effects of the changes proposed in this document are discussed below, by topic.

Treatment of Niger Seed

We are proposing to amend the regulations to allow niger seed to be imported into the United States if it is treated at a treatment facility that has been approved by APHIS. Under this proposed amendment, niger seed could be treated: (1) At the time of arrival at the port of first arrival in the United States or (2) prior to shipment to the United States at a treatment facility that has been approved by APHIS. Currently, the regulations in Sec. 319.376(d) state that imported niger seed must be heat treated upon arrival in the United States.

This proposed change could potentially affect U.S. firms that import and treat niger seed. The treatment firms could suffer a loss in revenue, but we believe that there are only two such firms in the United States, and at least one of those firms is not small in size according to Small Business Administration (SBA) criteria. It is likely that the other treatment firm, whose size is unknown, may not be significantly affected, because niger seed treatment likely accounts for only a small portion of the firm's overall revenues. However, since we are unable to estimate the amount of niger seed that would be treated prior to shipment to the United States, we cannot determine the effect this proposed rule would have on domestic firms that treat niger seed.

As a group, importers in the United States would likely be unaffected by this proposed change, since it would not likely affect the overall volume of niger seed imported into the United States. However, the proposed change could result in new marketing and distribution channels that could benefit some importers at the expense of others. We estimate that there are fewer than 20 importers of niger seed in the United States. However, data on the importers' size are not available, although we expect at least some of the importers are likely to be small according to SBA criteria.

We are also proposing to amend the regulations to revise the heat treatment required for imported niger seed. However, since the revised treatment would only involve a change in the required treatment temperature, and no change in the type or duration of the treatment, we anticipate that existing treatment facilities would not be affected by the proposed new treatment.

Lilac From The Netherlands

This proposed rule would allow the importation of lilac from The Netherlands under new conditions due to The Netherlands' request for an alternative to the use of methyl bromide as a fumigant of soil for lilac to be exported to the United States. This change should have no effect on the volume of lilac imported from the Netherlands since it simply provides a new mechanism for Dutch exporters to ship lilac without fumigating the soil in which it is grown with methyl bromide and, therefore, should have no effect on U.S. entities, whether small or large.

Peanuts From Certain Countries

This proposed rule would allow the importation of peanuts from Indonesia, Japan, the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. The importation of peanuts from those countries has been prohibited due to the existence of the peanut stripe virus. Because the peanut stripe virus is now known to exist in several U.S. peanutproducing States, and is widely prevalent in Georgia and Virginia, we are proposing to remove the restrictions on the entry of peanuts from those countries.

China is the world's largest peanut producer. In the 1996 to 1997 harvest season, China produced about 6 times more peanuts than the United States, which was the world's fourth largest peanut producer during that period (India and Nigeria were the second and third largest producers, respectively). For the year beginning October 1, 1997, the United States imported 141 million pounds of peanuts, equivalent to only 4 percent of domestic peanut production. The United States is a net exporter of peanuts, exporting almost five times as many peanuts as it imports.

This proposed change should have little or no effect on U.S. consumers, producers, or importers because it is unlikely that a significant volume of peanuts would be imported into the United States, since the imported peanuts likely cannot compete with higher quality peanuts produced in the United States.
Mango Seeds From the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

This proposed rule would prohibit the importation of mango seeds from the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines due to the risk of introducing the mango seed weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae, into the United States. This proposed change should have little or no effect on U.S. consumers, importers, or producers, due to the fact that the United States has historically imported a very small volume of mangoes and mango seeds from those countries. Between September 1, 1997, and May 31, 1998, the value of U.S. imports of fresh mangoes (with seeds intact) from Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada was approximately $20,000, or approximately 1 percent of the value of U.S. fresh mango imports from all countries combined during that period. During the same period, the United States imported no mangoes or mango seeds from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Data on imports of mango seeds or fruit from the British Virgin Islands are not available. Furthermore, the United States imported no seeds,
[[Page 67128]]
fruit, or spores for propagation from Trinidad and Tobago in 1997. Willow From Belgium and Japan

This proposed rule would prohibit the importation of willow plants and plant parts from Belgium and Japan due to the risk of introducing the watermark disease of willow into the United States.

The United States has historically imported a very small volume of willow plants and plant parts from Belgium and Japan. The value of live trees and plants, including willow plants, imported into the United States from Belgium and Japan in 1997 totaled only $3 million, or less than 1 percent of the value of U.S. live tree and plant imports from all countries combined that year. Since willow plants compose only a small fraction of the plants imported from Belgium and Japan, this proposed change should have little or no effect on U.S. consumers, importers, or producers.

Citrus Seeds From Gabon and Iran

This proposed rule would require that seeds of all species of the plant family Rutaceae (citrus) from Gabon and Iran be treated for citrus canker upon arrival in the United States. This proposed change should have no effect on U.S. consumers, producers, or importers, since imports of Rutaceae (citrus) from the two affected countries are nonexistent. Trade data for 1995 to 1997 show no U.S. imports of citrus fruit (fresh or dried) or seeds, fruit, or spores for propagation from either of the two regions.

Growing Requirements for Hops

This proposed rule would require that imported hops plants and plant parts be grown and observed in postentry quarantine in an isolated growth chamber for 6 months, and then transferred to a greenhouse to be grown for an additional year.

Researchers and universities comprise the overwhelming bulk of entities in the United States that grow imported hop plants and plant parts. The proposed change should have little or no effect on researchers, since most already have the equipment and facilities to comply with the proposed rule's requirements. Accordingly, for most of the affected entities, the cost to comply with the proposed requirements should be minimal.

Commercial Shipments of Bulbs

This proposed rule would allow the importation of bulbs of the genera Crocosmia, Gladiolus, and Watsonia in commercial shipments from Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, and Portugal.

In 1998, the United States imported over $175 million worth of bulbs and tubers. Imports from Brazil, France, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, and Portugal together accounted for less than 1 percent of the total bulb and tuber imports. Data on potential imports of bulbs that would result from this proposed change are not available. However, given the export history of the countries affected, it is unlikely that this change would have a significant impact on domestic bulb producers or bulb importers.

Additional Approved Growing Media and Packing Material

This proposed rule would add stockosorb superabsorbent polymer, zeolite, coir, and coal cinder to the list of growing media approved for the importation of certain plants.

This proposed change is not expected to result in increased U.S. imports of plants in growing media; the expected result is a redistribution of the existing volume of plant imports among a larger number of approved growing media. Accordingly, the proposed addition of these types of growing media should have no economic effect on U.S. consumers, producers, or importers.

This rule would also add stockosorb superabsorbent polymer to the list of approved packing material. We cannot determine what entities could be affected by this proposed change, but we believe that it would not likely have a significant economic effect on any U.S. entities. List of Ports of Entry

This rule would amend the regulations to reflect that the port of El Paso, TX, no longer operates as a Federal plant inspection station. This port no longer operates as a plant inspection station because it does not have the capacity to perform treatments and provide the other services that are available at Federal plant inspection stations. We believe that this change would not have any significant impact on any U.S. entities, whether small or large.

Other Proposed Changes

We are also proposing to make several other amendments to the regulations, including changes in plant taxonomy, postentry quarantine protocol, labeling requirements, and risk assessment policy, as well as other editorial changes, which would not have any economic effects on U.S. entities, whether small or large.

This proposed rule contains information collection requirements, which have been submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (see ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' below).

Executive Order 12988

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) administrative proceedings will not be required before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information collection or recordkeeping requirements included in this proposed rule have been submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Please send written comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for APHIS, Washington, DC 20503. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. 980621. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) Docket No. 980621, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 207371238, and (2) Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, room 404W, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this proposed rule.

In this document, we are proposing to amend the regulations for importing nursery stock to require additional certifications for imported niger seed and lilac, to reflect recent changes in plant taxonomy and pest distributions, and to make various changes to the requirements for postentry quarantine of imported plants. We are also proposing several other amendments to update and clarify the regulations and improve their effectiveness. This action is necessary to update the existing regulations and make them easier to understand and implement.

These changes will necessitate the use of certain information collection activities, including the completion of phytosanitary certificates.

We are soliciting comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our proposed information collection and recordkeeping requirements. These comments will help us:
[[Page 67129]]
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses).

Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response.

Respondents: Importers of nursery stock and foreign governments.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 20.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1.

Estimated annual number of responses: 20.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 10 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 7347477.
List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 300

Incorporation by reference, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine. 7 CFR Part 319

Bees, Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Honey, Imports, Incorporation by reference, Nursery Stock, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rice, Vegetables.

Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR parts 300 and 319 as follows:

PART 300INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1. The authority citation for part 300 would continue to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 77017772; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

2. In Sec. 300.1, paragraph (a), the introductory text would be revised to read as follows:
Sec. 300.1 Materials incorporated by reference.
(a) Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual. The Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, which was reprinted November 30, 1992, and includes all revisions through [date], has been approved for incorporation by reference in 7 CFR chapter III by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
* * * * *

PART 319FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES

3. The authority citation for part 319 would continue to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 166, 450, 77117714, 7718, 7731, 7732, and 77517754; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

4. In Sec. 319.372(a), the table would be amended as follows:

a. By adding, in alphabetical order, entries for ``Ajania spp.'', ``Brugmansia spp.'', ``Chrysanthemum'', ``Crocosmia spp.'', ``Datura spp. (woody species)'', ``Gladiolus spp.'', ``Leucanthemum spp.'', ``Nipponanthemum spp.'', and ``Watsonia spp.'' to read as set forth below.

b. By removing the entry for ``Chrysanthemum spp.''.

c. By revising the entries for ``Abelmoschus spp.'', ``Aesculus spp.'', ``Arachis spp.'', ``Blighia sapida'', ``Crocosmia spp.'', ``Datura spp.'', ``Gladiolus spp.'', ``Jasminum spp.'', ``Mangifera spp.'', ``Salix spp.'', ``Sorbus spp.'', and ``Watsonia spp.'' to read as set forth below.

d. In the entry for ``Hydragea spp.'', the word ``Hydragea'' would be corrected to read ``Hydrangea''.
Sec. 319.372 Prohibited articles.
(a) * * *
Plant pests existing in the Prohibited article (includes Foreign places places named and seeds only if specifically from which capable of being mentioned) prohibited transported with the prohibited article Abelmoschus spp. (okra)......... Africa............ Cotton leaf curl agent. Brazil............ Cotton Anthocyanosis agent. Bangladesh, India, Bhendi yellow vein Sri Lanka. mosaic agent. Cote d'Ivoire, Okra mosaic virus. Nigeria.
Iraq.............. Okra yellow leaf curl agent. Papua New Guinea, Okra mosaic Trinidad and agents. Tobago.
* * * *
* * *
Aesculus spp. (horsechestnut)... Czechoslovakia, Horsechestnut Germany, Romania, variegation or United Kingdom.. yellow mosaic diseases. * * * *
* * *
Ajania spp...................... Argentina, Brazil, Puccina horiana P. Canary Islands, Henn. (white rust Chile, Colombia, of
Europe, Republic chrysanthemum). of South Africa,
Uruguay,
Venezuela, and
all countries,
territories, and
possessions of
countries located
in part or
entirely between
90 deg. and 180
deg. east
longitude.
[[Page 67130]]
* * * *
* * *
Arachis spp. (peanut) seed only Burkina Faso, Cote Peanut clump (all other Arachis articles are d'Ivoire, Senegal. virus. included under Fabaceae).
India............. Indian peanut clump virus. * * * *
* * *
Blighia sapida (akee)........... Cote d'Ivoire, Okra mosaic virus. Nigeria.
* * * *
* * *
Brugmansia spp.................. Columbia.......... Datura Columbia virus. * * * *
* * *
Chrysanthemum................... (See Sec. 319.37
5(c)).
* * * *
* * *
Crocosmia spp. (montebretia).... Africa............ Puccinia mccleanii Doidge (rust), Uredo gladioli buettneri Bub. (rust), Uromyces gladioli P. Henn. (rust), U. nyikensis Syd. (rust). Argentina, Uruguay U. gladioli P. Henn. (rust). Crocosmia spp. (montebretia), Africa, Brazil, U. transversalis except bulbs in commercial France, Italy, (Thuem.) Wint. shipments. Malta, Mauritius, (rust). Portugal.
* * * *
* * *
Datura spp...................... India............. Datura distortion or enation mosaic virus. Datura spp. (woody species)..... (See Brugmansia
spp.).
* * * *
* * *
Gladiolus spp. (gladiolus)...... Africa............ Puccinia mccleanii Doidge (rust), Uredo gladioli buettneri Bub. (rust), Uromyces gladioli P. Henn. (rust), U. nyikensis Syd. (rust). Argentina, Uruguay U. gladioli P. Henn. (rust). Gladiolus spp. (gladiolus), Africa, Brazil, U. transversalis except bulbs in commercial France, Italy, (Thuem.) Wint. shipments. Malta, Mauritius, (rust). Portugal.
* * * *
* * *
Jasminum spp. (jasmine)......... Belgium, Germany, Jasmine Great Britain. variegation diseases. India............. Chlorotic ringspot, phyllody, yellow ring mosaic diseases. Philippines....... Sampaguita yellow ringspot mosaic diseases. * * * *
* * *
Leucanthemella spp.............. Argentina, Brazil, Puccina horiana P. Canary Islands, Henn. (white rust Chile, Colombia, of
Europe, Republic chrysanthemum). of South Africa,
Uruguay,
Venezuela, and
all countries,
territories, and
possessions of
countries located
in part or
entirely between
90 deg. and 180
deg. east
longitude.
* * * *
* * *
Mangifera spp. (mango) seed All except Sternochetus only. (Prohibition not Guimaras Island mangiferae F. applicable to seeds imported (Republic of the (mango seed into Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines) and weevil). Northern Mariana Islands.). North and South
America
(excluding
Barbados, the
British Virgin
Islands,
Dominica, French
Guiana, Grenada,
Guadeloupe,
Martinique, St.
Lucia, St.
Vincent and the
Grenadines, and
Trinidad and
Tobago).
[[Page 67131]]
* * * *
* * *
Nipponanthemum spp.............. Argentina, Brazil, Puccina horiana P. Canary Islands, Henn. (white rust Chile, Colombia, of
Europe, Republic chrysanthemum). of South Africa,
Uruguay,
Venezuela, and
all countries,
territories, and
possessions of
countries located
in part or
entirely between
90 deg. and 180
deg. east
longitude..
* * * *
* * *
Salix spp. (willow)............. Belgium, Germany, Erwinia salicis Great Britain, (Day) Chester Japan, and The (Watermark Netherlands. disease). * * * *
* * *
Sorbus spp. (mountain ash)...... Czechoslovakia, Mountain ash Denmark, Germany. variegation or ringspot mosaic disease. * * * *
* * *
Watsonia spp. (bugle lily)...... Africa............ Puccinia mccleanii Doidge (rust), Uredo gladioli buettneri Bub. (rust), Uromyces gladioli P. Henn. (rust), U. nyikensis Syd. (rust). Argentina, Uruguay U. gladioli P. Henn. (rust). Watsonia spp. (bugle lily), Africa, Brazil, U. transversalis except bulbs in commercial France, Italy, (Thuem.) Wint. shipments. Malta, Mauritius, (rust). Portugal.
* * * *

* * *

5. In Sec. 319.374, paragraph (c) would be amended as follows:

a. By revising the introductory text to read as set forth below.

b. By revising the introductory text of paragraph (c)(1) to read as set forth below.

c. By revising paragraph (c)(1)(iv) to read as set forth below.

d. By revising paragraph (c)(2) to read as follows: Sec. 319.374 Inspection, treatment, and phytosanitary certificates of inspection.
* * * * *
(c) Greenhousegrown plants from Canada. A greenhousegrown restricted plant may be imported from Canada if the Plant Health and Production Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) signs a written agreement with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service allowing such importation, and provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) The Plant Health and Production Division of CFIA shall: * * * * *
(iv) Issue labels to each grower participating in the program. The labels issued to each grower shall bear a unique number identifying that grower, and shall bear the following statement: ``This shipment of greenhousegrown plants meets the import requirements of the United States, and is believed to be free from injurious plant pests. Issued by Plant Health and Production Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.'' The Plant Health and Production Division, CFIA, shall also ensure that the label is placed on the airway bill, bill of lading, or delivery ticket accompanying each shipment of articles; and * * * * *
(2) Each greenhouse grower participating in the program shall enter into an agreement with the Plant Health and Production Division of CFIA in which the grower agrees to:
(i) Maintain records of the kinds and quantities of plants grown in their greenhouses, including the date of receipt and place of origin of the plants; keep the records for at least 1 year after the plants are shipped to the United States; and make the records available for review and copying upon request by either the Plant Health and Production Division of CFIA or an authorized representative of the Secretary of Agriculture;
(ii) Apply to an airway bill, bill of lading, or delivery ticket for plants to be shipped to the United States a label issued by CFIA that includes the identification number assigned to the grower by the Plant Health and Production Division, CFIA, and the following certification statement: ``This shipment of greenhouse grown plants meets the import requirements of the United States and is believed to be free from injurious plant pests. Issued by Plant Health and Production Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency.''; and (iii) Use pest control practices approved by Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Plant Health and Production Division of CFIA to exclude pests from the greenhouses.

6. Section 319.375 would be amended by revising paragraphs (c) and (i) to read as follows.
Sec. 319.375 Special foreign inspection and certification requirements.
* * * * *
(c) Any restricted article (except seeds) of Ajania spp., Dendranthema spp., Leucanthemella spp., or Nipponanthemum spp. from any foreign place except Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the Canary Islands, Chile, Colombia, the Republic of South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela, and all countries and localities located in part or entirely between 90 deg. and 180 deg. east longitude shall, at the time of arrival at the port of first arrival in United States, be accompanied by a phytosanitary
[[Page 67132]]
certificate of inspection. The phytosanitary certificate of inspection must contain a declaration that such article was grown in a greenhouse nursery and found by the plant protection service of the country in which grown to be free from white rust of chrysanthemum (caused by the rust fungus Puccinia horiana P. Henn.) based on visual examination of the parent stock, the articles for importation, and the greenhouse nursery in which the articles for importation and the parent stock were grown, once a month for 4 consecutive months immediately prior to importation.
* * * * *
(i) Any restricted article of Syringa spp. (lilac) from The Netherlands is prohibited as specified in Sec. 319.372(a) unless, at the time of arrival at the port of first arrival in the United States, the phytosanitary certificate accompanying the article of Syringa spp. (lilac) contains a declaration that stipulates that the parent stock was found free of plant diseases by inspection and indexing and that the Syringa spp. (lilac) to be imported were propagated either by rooting cuttings from indexed parent plants or by grafting indexed parent plant material on seedling rootstocks, and were grown in: (1) Fumigated soil (fumigated by applying 400 to 870 pounds of methyl bromide per acre and covering the soil with a tarpaulin for 7 days) in a field at least 3 meters from the nearest nonindexed Syringa spp. (lilac), or
(2) Soil that has been sampled and microscopically inspected by the plant protection service of The Netherlands within 12 months preceding issuance of the phytosanitary certificate and that has been found free of the viruliferous nematodes capable of transmitting European nepoviruses, including, but not limited to, the Arabis mosaic nepovirus.
* * * * *

7. Section 319.376 would be amended as follows:

a. By revising paragraph (d) to read as set forth below.

b. In paragraph (e), by removing the words ``Burma,'' and ``Ivory Coast,'' and by adding, in alphabetical order, the words ``Cote d'Ivoire,'' ``Gabon,'' ``Iran,'' and ``Myanmar,''.
Sec. 319.376 Specific treatment and other requirements.
* * * * *
(d) Seeds of Guizotia abyssinica (niger seed) are allowed entry only if:
(1) They are treated in accordance with the PPQ Treatment Manual at the time of arrival at the port of first arrival in the United States; or
(2) They are treated prior to shipment to the United States at a facility that is approved by APHIS \9\ and that operates in compliance with a written agreement between the treatment facility owner and the plant protection service of the exporting country, in which the treatment facility owner agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and allow inspectors and representatives of the plant protection service of the exporting country access to the treatment facility as necessary to monitor compliance with the regulations. Treatments must be certified in accordance with the conditions described in Sec. 319.3713(c).
\9\ Criteria for the approval of niger seed treatment facilities are contained in the PPQ Treatment Manual, which is incorporated by reference at Sec. 300.1 of this chapter.
* * * * *

8. Section 319.377 would be amended as follows:

a. In the table in paragraph (a)(3), by adding, in alphabetical order, entries for ``Ajania spp.'', ``Brugmansia spp.'',
``Chrysanthemum'', ``Datura spp. (woody species)'', ``Leucanthemella spp.'', and ``Nipponanthemum spp.'' to read as set forth below.

b. In the table in paragraph (a)(3), by removing the entry for ``Chrysanthemum spp.''.

c. In the table in paragraph (a)(3), by revising the entries for ``Aesculus spp.'', ``Blighia sapida'', ``Datura spp.'', ``Ribes spp.'', and ``Salix spp.'' to read as set forth below.

d. In paragraph (b), by removing the entry for ``Phoenixdate''.

e. By revising paragraph (c)(1)(i) to read as set forth below and by adding and reserving paragraph (c)(1)(ii).

f. In paragraph (c)(2)(iv), by removing the words ``now know'' and adding the words ``not known'' in their place.

g. In paragraph (d)(1), by removing the words ``of an inspector and only to the extent prescribed by the inspector;'' and adding the words ``of the coordinator, Postentry Quarantine Unit, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Building 580, BARCEast, Beltsville, MD 20705;'' in their place.

h. By revising paragraph (d)(4) to read as set forth below.

i. By revising paragraph (d)(7) to read as set forth below.

j. By removing paragraphs (d)(8) and (d)(9).

k. In paragraph (e), by redesignating footnote 9 and its reference in the text as footnote 10.
Sec. 319.377 Postentry quarantine.
(a) * * *
(3) * * *
Restricted articles (excluding Foreign country(ies) or seeds) locality(ies) from which imported * * * *
* * *
Aesculus spp. (horsechestnut)..... All except Canada, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
* * * *
* * *
Ajania spp........................ All except Argentina, Brazil, Canary Islands, Chile, Columbia, Europe, Republic of South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela, and all countries, territories, and possessions of countries located in part or entirely between 90 deg. and 180 deg. east longitude.
* * * *
* *

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Mr. Wayne D. Burnett, Senior Import Specialist, Phytosanitary Issues Management Team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 207371236; (301) 7346799; fax (301) 7345007.