Federal Register: July 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 137)
DOCID: fr18jy07-24 FR Doc E7-13912
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. APHIS-2007-0101]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr18jy07-24
ACTION: Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Ribes Species Fruits From South Africa into the Continental United States
DATES: We will consider all comments we receive on or before September 17, 2007.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental United States of Ribes species fruits (i.e., currants and gooseberries) from South Africa. Based on that analysis, we believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of Ribes species fruits from South Africa. We are making the pest risk analysis available for review and comment.
SUMMARY:
Ribes species fruits from South Africa; pest risk analysis,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Under the regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56 through 319.5646, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 and spread within the United States.
In a final rule published in the Rules and Regulations section of
today's issue of the Federal Register (see ``Revision of Fruits and
Vegetables Import Regulations,'' Docket No. APHIS20050106), we
establish a performancebased process for approving the importation of
commodities that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can be
safely imported subject to one or more of the designated phytosanitary
measures listed in Sec. 319.564(b) of the regulations. These measures are:
[[Page 39383]]
APHIS received a request from the Government of South Africa to allow the importation of Ribes species fruits (i.e., currants and gooseberries) from South Africa into the continental United States. We have completed a pest risk assessment to identify pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of importation into the United States and, based on that pest risk assessment, have prepared a risk management analysis to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the commodity to mitigate the pest risk. We have concluded that Ribes species fruits can be safely imported into the continental United States from South Africa using one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in Sec. 319.564(b). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 319.564(c), we are announcing the availability of our pest risk analysis for public review and comment. The pest risk analysis may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the pest risk analysis by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the pest risk analysis when requesting copies.
After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the import status of Ribes species fruits from South Africa in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of the analysis and the Administrator's determination of risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then we will begin issuing permits for importation of Ribes species fruits from South Africa into the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the risk management analysis.
Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of July 2007. Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E713912 Filed 71707; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ms. Sharon Porsche, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, Plant Health Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 207371231; (301) 734 8758.