Browse: Departments Dates Agencies
Docket ID: [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0153]
RIN ID: RIN 0579-AC25
SUBJECT CATEGORY: South American Cactus Moth; Quarantine and Regulations
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the domestic quarantine regulations to establish regulations to restrict the interstate movement of South American cactus moth host material, including nursery stock and plant parts for consumption, from infested areas of the United States. This action would help prevent the artificial spread of South American cactus moth into noninfested areas of the United States.
SUMMARY: South American Cactus Moth; Quarantine and Regulations,
The South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) is a grayishbrown moth with a wingspan of 22 to 35 millimeters
(approximately 0.86 to 1.4 inches) that is indigenous to Argentina,
southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is a serious quarantine pest
of Opuntia spp., and an occasional pest of Nopalea spp., Cylindropuntia
spp., and Consolea spp., four closely related genera of the family
Cactaceae. After an incubation period following mating, the female
South American cactus moth deposits an egg stick resembling a cactus
spine on the host plant. The egg stick, which consists of 70 to 90
eggs, hatches in 25 to 30 days and the larvae bore into the cactus pad
to feed, eventually hollowing it out and killing the plant. Within a
short period of time, the South American cactus moth can destroy whole stands of cactus.
In the 1920s, the South American cactus moth was introduced into Australia and other areas as a biological control agent of invasive prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.). Its success led to its introduction into the Caribbean and Hawaii in the 1950s. In 1989, it was detected in southern Florida, where it was most likely introduced through imported infested nursery plants. More recently, South American cactus moth has been discovered in other parts of Florida, as well as in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, and it continues to spread north and west. It is projected that, at the same rate of spread as seen in Florida, without any control measures, the moth may reach Texas by 2008 by natural spread along the Gulf Coast.
The Southwestern United States and Mexico are home to 114 native species of Opuntia, which are highly valued for their ecological and agricultural uses. The rooting characteristics of Opuntia spp. reduce wind and rain erosion, encouraging the growth of other plants in degraded areas. In addition, many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects eat, nest in, or otherwise rely on Opuntia spp. for survival. Opuntia spp. are also important sources of food, medicine, cosmetics, and dye. In Mexico, Opuntia spp. are an important agricultural commodity, and it is estimated that 2 percent of the value and production of Mexico's agriculture comes from them. In the Southwestern United States, Opuntia spp. are only a minor agricultural crop, but are popular plants in the landscaping and ornamental nursery industries. Opuntia spp. can also be an important source of emergency forage for cattle grazing during drought periods. If the South American cactus moth were to spread to these areas, there would be significant ecological and economic damage.
Currently, cactus plants or parts thereof moving from Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands into the continental United
States are prohibited or restricted under 7 CFR part 318 in order to
prevent the dissemination of South American cactus moth. With limited
exceptions, all plants, including cacti, imported into the United
States for propagation from foreign countries are required to be
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and to be inspected at an
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), plant inspection station in
accordance with 7 CFR part 319. Any propagative plant material found to
be infested with the South American cactus moth currently must be
returned to its place of origin, treated, or destroyed. Since the South
American cactus moth larvae are internal feeders, they are difficult to
detect during normal inspection. Therefore, the current regulations
that require only inspection may not provide an adequate safeguard to
prevent the introduction and spread of South American cactus moth.
APHIS is in the process of amending these territorial and foreign cactus moth regulations to better
[[Page 7680]]
address the risks associated with the movement of host material from areas where South American cactus moth is known to occur.
In order to provide a barrier to the natural westward spread of
South American cactus moth, APHIS, in cooperation with the Agricultural
Research Service, USDA, and funding provided by the Government of
Mexico, is testing a sterile insect release program along the U.S. Gulf
Coast. However, without a domestic quarantine program to address the
artificial spread of the pest by restricting the movement of host
material from infested States, this barrier alone will not be effective
in stopping the westward movement of the South American cactus moth.
Therefore, we are proposing to amend the domestic quarantine notices in
7 CFR part 301 by adding a new subpart, ``South American Cactus Moth''
(Sec. Sec. 301.55 through 301.559, referred to below as the
regulations). The regulations would provide for the designation of
quarantined areas and would restrict the interstate movement of regulated articles from quarantined areas into or through
nonquarantined areas. These proposed provisions are described in detail below.
Restrictions on Interstate Movement of Regulated Articles (Sec. 301.55)
Proposed Sec. 301.55 would prohibit the interstate movement of regulated articles from any quarantined area except in accordance with the regulations. This section would also contain a footnote explaining that any properly identified inspector is authorized, upon probable cause, to stop and inspect persons and means of conveyance moving in interstate commerce and to hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of regulated articles as provided in sections 414, 421, and 434 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714, 7731, and 7754).
Proposed Sec. 301.551 would contain definitions of the following terms: Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), cactus plants, certificate, compliance agreement, departmental permit, infestation, inspector, interstate, limited permit, moved (move, movement), person, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), quarantined area, regulated article, South American cactus moth, and State. These proposed terms and their definitions are set out in the regulatory text at the end of this document.
Certain articles present a risk of spreading the South American
cactus moth if they are moved from quarantined areas without
restrictions. We would call these articles regulated articles, and
would impose restrictions on their movement because the South American
cactus moth can survive in these materials if present and could
possibly be transported to noninfested areas. Paragraphs (a) through
(c) of proposed Sec. 301.552 would list the following as regulated articles:
The last item listed above, which would provide for the designation of ``any other product, article, or means of conveyance'' as a regulated article, would be intended to address the risks presented by, for example, a truck that may have inadvertently picked up plant material or adult South American cactus moths while driving through fields, thus enabling an inspector to designate that truck as a regulated article in order to ensure that any necessary riskmitigating measures are carried out.
Paragraph (a) of proposed Sec. 301.553 would provide the criteria for the inclusion of States, or portions of States, in the list of quarantined areas. Under these criteria, any State or portion of a State in which the South American cactus moth is found by an inspector, in which the Administrator has reason to believe that the South American cactus moth is present, or that the Administrator considers necessary to regulate due to the area's inseparability for quarantine enforcement purposes from localities in which the South American cactus moth has been found, would be listed as a quarantined area. These proposed criteria would also provide that we would designate less than an entire State as a quarantined area only if we determine that the State has adopted and is enforcing restrictions on the intrastate movement of regulated articles that are equivalent to those imposed on the interstate movement of regulated articles and that the designation of less than the entire State as a quarantined area would prevent the interstate spread of the South American cactus moth. In practice, the latter determinationthat the designation of less than an entire State would prevent the interstate spread of the South American cactus moth would be based, at least in part, on our finding that infestations are confined to the quarantined areas as a result of natural breaks between infested areas and noninfested areas, known as zones, and would eliminate the need for designating an entire State as a quarantined area. APHIS would likely adopt existing buffer zones that have been established under the States' current eradication programs.
Paragraph (b) of proposed Sec. 301.553 would provide that we may temporarily designate any nonquarantined area in a State as a quarantined area when we determine that the nonquarantined area meets the criteria for designation as a quarantined area described in Sec. 301.553(a). In such cases, we would give the owner, person in possession of the nonquarantined area, or, in the case of publicly owned land, the person responsible for the management of the nonquarantined area, a copy of the regulations along with written notice of the area's temporary designation as a quarantined area, after which time the interstate movement of any regulated article from the area would be subject to the regulations. This proposed provision would be necessary to prevent the spread of the South American cactus moth during the time between the detection of the pest and the time a document designating the area as a quarantined area could be made effective and published in the Federal Register. In the event that an area's designation as a temporary quarantined area is terminated, we would provide written notice of that termination to the owner or person in possession of the area as soon as would be practicable.
Paragraph (c) would list the areas quarantined because of the
presence of the South American cactus moth. Surveys conducted by State
agriculture departments in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and
South Carolina during recent years have confirmed the presence of South
American cactus moth in both wild and cultivated cactus plants. If
these States were to delimit their infestations and implement
intrastate quarantines, we would be able to narrow the scope of the
quarantine. However, none of these States currently have intrastate
quarantines in place. Therefore, we are proposing to designate [[Page 7681]]
the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, in their entirety, as quarantined areas.
Conditions Governing the Interstate Movement of Regulated Articles From Quarantined Areas (Sec. 301.554)
This section would provide criteria for moving regulated articles interstate from quarantined areas. Paragraph (a) would provide that any regulated articles from a quarantined area may be moved interstate if moved with a certificate or limited permit issued and attached in accordance with proposed Sec. Sec. 301.555 and 301.558. Seeds and canned, preserved, or frozen pads or fruits of regulated cactus genera would not considered to be regulated articles because the life stages of the South American cactus moth either do not inhabit the specified plant part (i.e., seeds) or would be destroyed by the specified handling, processing, or utilization. As noted previously, we are planning to issue a separate rulemaking to address the risks from cactus moth host material moving into the continental United States from Hawaii and U.S. territories and from foreign countries where South American cactus moth is known to occur.
Paragraph (b) would provide that any regulated articles from a
quarantined area may be moved interstate without a certificate or limited permit if the regulated article:
Paragraph (c) would provide that a certificate or limited permit
would also not be required if the regulated article is moved by the
USDA for experimental or scientific purposes in accordance with
conditions specified on a departmental permit and with a tag or label
bearing the number of the departmental permit issued for the regulated
article attached to the outside of the container of the regulated
article or attached to the regulated article itself if not in a container.
Issuance and Cancellation of Certificates and Limited Permits (Sec. 301.555)
Certificates would be issued for regulated articles when an inspector or other person authorized to issue certificates finds that the articles have met the conditions of the regulations and may be safely moved interstate without further restrictions.
Specifically, proposed Sec. 301.555(a) would provide that a
certificate may be issued for the interstate movement of a regulated
article by an inspector, or a person operating under a compliance
agreement in accordance with proposed Sec. 301.556, if the inspector or other authorized person determines that:
Limited permits would be issued for regulated articles when an inspector finds that, because of a possible pest risk, the articles may be safely moved interstate only subject to further restrictions, such as movement to limited areas or movement for limited purposes. Proposed Sec. 301.555 would explain the conditions under which a limited permit would be issued.
Specifically, proposed Sec. 301.555(b) would provide that a limited permit may be issued by an inspector for the interstate movement of a regulated article if the inspector determines that the article (1) is to be moved interstate to a specified destination for specified handling, processing or utilization, and that the movement will not result in the spread of the South American cactus moth because life stages of the South American cactus moth will be destroyed by the specified handling, processing, or utilization; (2) will be moved in compliance with any additional conditions imposed by the Administrator under section 414 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714) to prevent the spread of the South American cactus moth; and (3) is eligible for interstate movement under all other Federal domestic plant quarantines and regulations applicable to the regulated article.
We would include a footnote that would provide an address for securing the addresses and telephone numbers of the local Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) offices from which the services of an inspector may be requested.
Paragraph (c) of proposed Sec. 301.555 would provide that any person who has entered into and is operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate or limited permit for the interstate movement of a regulated article after an inspector has determined that the article is otherwise eligible for a certificate under Sec. 301.55 5(a) or a limited permit under Sec. 301.555(b).
Also, Sec. 301.555(d) would contain provisions for the cancellation of a certificate or limited permit by an inspector if the inspector determines that the holder of the certificate or limited permit has not complied with conditions of the regulations. This paragraph would also contain provisions for notifying the holder of the reasons for the cancellation and for holding a hearing if there is any conflict concerning any material fact in the event that the person wishes to appeal the cancellation.
Proposed Sec. 301.556 would provide for the use of and
cancellation of compliance agreements. Compliance agreements would be
provided for the convenience of persons who are involved in the
growing, handling, or moving of regulated articles from quarantined
areas. A person would be able to enter into a compliance agreement when
an inspector has determined that the person requesting the compliance
agreement has been made aware of the requirements of the regulations
and the person has agreed to comply with the requirements of the regulations and the provisions of the
[[Page 7682]]
compliance agreement. This section would contain a footnote that explains where compliance agreement forms may be obtained.
Proposed Sec. 301.556 would also provide that an inspector may,
either orally or in writing, cancel the compliance agreement upon
finding that a person who has entered into the agreement has failed to
comply with any of the provisions of the regulations or the terms of
the compliance agreement. If the cancellation is oral, the cancellation
and the reasons for the cancellation would be confirmed in writing as
promptly as circumstances allow. Any person whose compliance agreement
has been canceled would be able to appeal the decision, in writing, to
the Administrator, within 10 days after receiving written notification
of the cancellation and would have to state all of the facts and
reasons upon which the person relies to show that the compliance
agreement was wrongfully canceled. As promptly as circumstances allow,
the Administrator would grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the decision.
Assembly and Inspection of Regulated Articles (Sec. 301.557)
Proposed Sec. 301.557 would provide that any person (other than
an inspector or a person operating under a compliance agreement) who
desires to move interstate regulated articles which must be accompanied
by a certificate or limited permit would have to request that an
inspector inspect the articles for movement at least 48 hours before
the desired movement. The regulated articles would have to be assembled in a place and manner directed by the inspector.
Attachment and Disposition of Certificates and Limited Permits (Sec. 301.558)
Proposed Sec. 301.558 would require the certificate or limited permit issued for movement of the regulated article to be attached, during the interstate movement, to the regulated article, or to a container carrying the regulated article, or to the consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill. If the certificate or limited permit is attached to the consignee's copy of the waybill, the regulated article would have to be sufficiently described on the certificate or limited permit and on the waybill to identify the regulated article. Further, the section would require that the carrier or the carrier's representative furnish the certificate or limited permit to the consignee listed on the certificate or limited permit upon arrival at the location provided on the certificate or limited permit. Costs and Charges (Sec. 301.559)
Proposed Sec. 301.559 would explain the APHIS policy that the services of an inspector that are needed to comply with the regulations would be provided without cost between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, to persons requiring those services, but that APHIS would not be responsible for any other costs or charges incident to inspections or compliance with the provisions of the quarantine and regulations other than for the services of the inspector.
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.
South American cactus moth is a pest that attacks primarily prickly pear cacti that can live in arid and coastal areas. In the continental United States, South American cactus moth has been found in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. It has also been found in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as more than 30 foreign countries. Hosts for the pest are the live plants and plant parts (except seeds) of Consolea, Cylindropuntia, Nopalea, and Opuntia, four genera of the botanical family Cactaceae. Opuntia spp. are commonly known as prickly pear cactus.
Opuntia, in particular, has both commercial and ecological value.
Most of its commercial value lies in its use as an ornamental plant
material for landscaping projects in the more arid areas of the United
States Southwest. Opuntia also has a small but growing commercial value
as a food crop, as there is demand in the United States for edible
cactus leaves and fruit, especially in the Hispanic community. Other
uses of Opuntia include emergency forage for cattle during periods of
drought and wildlife feed for game animals. In the United States
southwest desert, Opuntia plants play a key role in sustaining
ecosystems, providing habitat for wildlife and protection against soil
erosion. A healthy desert ecosystem also has economic benefits, since it promotes increased tourism, recreation, and hunting.\1\
\1\ Preliminary assessment of the potential impacts and risks of
the invasive cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum Berg, in the United
States and Mexico; Final Report to the International Atomic Energy Agency, April 25, 2005.
In this rule we are proposing to establish regulations to restrict the interstate movement of South American cactus moth host material from quarantined areas on the U.S. mainland to nonquarantined areas. Under this rule, such movement would be prohibited, except under certain conditions. Currently, there is no restriction on the interstate movement of South American cactus moth host material from areas on the mainland that have been found to be infested with the pest. In addition, the rule would designate the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, in their entirety, as quarantined areas for South American cactus moth.
All current growers in the fourState quarantined area are believed
to produce host materials primarily for use in dishgardens of mixed
species. For these growers, the proposed rule should not be
particularly problematic. This is because other species of cactus could
easily be substituted for host species cactus in dishgardens shipped
to nonquarantined areas. However, the rule could pose a problem for
wouldbe growers of prickly pear cactus for the small but growing food
market.\2\ This is because, if found to be infested with South American
cactus moth, they might be unable to ship fresh cactus leaves and fruit
to nonquarantined areas, including some areas with large Hispanic
populations. Although these growers would be able to ship canned,
preserved, or frozen cactus food from a quarantined area, consumers
prefer the fresh varieties.\3\ The number of wouldbe growers of cactus
for use as food in the fourState quarantined area is unknown, but it
is likely to be very small, based on the small number of ornamental cactus growers in that area.
\2\ The Florida Department of Plant Industry recently promoted
the use of prickly pear cactus as a niche crop to fill the Hispanic market demand.
\3\ In a 2004 report on cactus leaf pads (nopalitos), the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated that
consumers prefer fresh nopalitos. However, the report also stated
that shipping them is difficult, a factor that would seem to lessen
the negative impact of the rule's restriction on the movement of
fresh cactus from the quarantined areas. The report stated that
``cactus pads are thorny and the consumer has the unpleasant task of
cleaning them. If the nopalitos are shipped cleaned of thorns they
tend to oxidize and have a short shelf life. Some companies dethorn
and dice the Nopales, seal them in plastic bags and ship them in
refrigerated trucks to U.S. markets, but the quality is low, the
price is high, and they spoil within 23 days.'' See Nopalitos:
Florida's New Niche Production Commodity, Final Report for Agreement
To the extent that it prevents the spread of C. cactorum on the mainland, the rule would benefit U.S. entities,
[[Page 7683]]
primarily those in the ornamental nursery and landscape industries in
the Southwest. Most commercial nurseries that produce prickly pear
cacti as ornamental plants are located in Arizona, followed by
California. In Arizona, there are an estimated 40 to 50 such producers
in the Phoenix area alone; in California, there are an estimated 30
growers of ornamental cacti. U.S. production of prickly pear cactus for
edible use is limited largely to California; many, if not most, cactus growers are small in size.\4\
\4\ Source: Lynn Garrett (APHIS) and Irish, M. 2001. The
Ornamental Prickly Pear Industry in the Southwestern United States. Florida Entomologist 84(4).
Based on available information, we conclude that adoption of the rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, if for no other reason than few entities, large or small, are likely to be affected. Although hard data are not available, informed APHIS staff estimate that there are no more than about five producers of the host material in the fourState quarantined area, all of whom are believed to be Florida nurseries that produce prickly pear cactus, usually for use in dishgardens of mixed species. The bulk of U.S. prickly pear cactus production, both for use as an ornamental plant and for use as an edible food, is concentrated in the Southwest, not the four Southeastern States designated as quarantined areas.\5\
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. If this 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.
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. APHIS 20060153. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) Docket No. APHIS20060153, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A03.8, 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.
APHIS is proposing to establish regulations to quarantine the
States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina because of
South American cactus moth and restrict the interstate movement of
regulated articles from the quarantined areas. In order to move
regulated articles interstate from the quarantined area, regulated
parties would have to obtain certificates or limited permits, and they
would be able to enter into compliance agreements with APHIS. We are
soliciting comments from the public (as well as affected agencies)
concerning our information collection and recordkeeping requirements. These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the 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
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 0.6 hours per response.
Respondents: State plant regulatory officials.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 3.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.
Estimated annual number of responses: 30.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 18 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 7347477.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to compliance with the EGovernment Act to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. For information pertinent to EGovernment Act compliance related to this proposed rule, please contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 7347477. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301
Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR part 301 as follows: PART 301DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES
1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 77017772 and 77817786; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Section 301.7515 issued under Sec. 204, Title II, Public Law 106113, 113 Stat. 1501A293; sections 301.7515 and 301.7516 issued under Sec. 203, Title II, Public Law 106224, 114 Stat. 400 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note).
2. Part 301 is amended by adding a new SubpartSouth American
Cactus Moth, Sec. Sec. 301.55 through 301.559, to read as follows: SubpartSouth American Cactus Moth
Sec.
301.55 Restrictions on interstate movement of regulated articles. 301.551 Definitions.
301.552 Regulated articles.
301.553 Quarantined areas.
[[Page 7684]]
301.554 Conditions governing the interstate movement of regulated articles from quarantined areas.
301.555 Issuance and cancellation of certificates and limited permits.
301.556 Compliance agreements and cancellation.
301.557 Assembly and inspection of regulated articles.
301.558 Attachment and disposition of certificates and limited permits.
301.559 Costs and charges.
SubpartSouth American Cactus Moth
Sec. 301.55 Restrictions on interstate movement of regulated articles.
No person may move interstate from any quarantined area any regulated article except in accordance with this subpart.\1\ \1\ Any properly identified inspector is authorized, upon probable cause, to stop and inspect persons and means of conveyance moving in interstate commerce and to hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of regulated articles as provided in sections 414, 421, and 434 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714, 7731, and 7754).
Administrator. The Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or any person authorized to act for the Administrator.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Cactus plants. Any of various fleshystemmed plants of the botanical family Cactaceae.
Certificate. A document in which an inspector or person operating under a compliance agreement affirms that a specified regulated article is free of South American cactus moth and may be moved interstate to any destination.
Compliance agreement. A written agreement between APHIS and a person engaged in growing, handling, or moving regulated articles, wherein the person agrees to comply with this subpart.
Departmental permit. A document issued by the Administrator in which he or she affirms that interstate movement of the regulated article identified on the document is for scientific or experimental purposes and that the regulated article is eligible for interstate movement in accordance with Sec. 301.554(c).
Infestation. The presence of the South American cactus moth or the existence of circumstances that makes it reasonable to believe that the South American cactus moth may be present.
Inspector. Any employee of APHIS or other person authorized by the Administrator to perform the duties required under this subpart.
Interstate. From any State into or through any other State.
Limited permit. A document in which an inspector or person operating under a compliance agreement affirms that the regulated article identified on the document is eligible for interstate movement in accordance with Sec. 301.555(b) only to a specified destination and only in accordance with specified conditions.
Moved (move, movement). Shipped, offered for shipment, received for transportation, transported, carried, or allowed to be moved, shipped, transported, or carried.
Person. Any association, company, corporation, firm, individual, joint stock company, partnership, society, or other entity.
Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). The Plant Protection and Quarantine program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Quarantined area. Any State, or any portion of a State, listed in Sec. 301.553(c) or otherwise designated as a quarantined area in accordance with Sec. 301.553(b).
Regulated article. Any article listed in Sec. 301.552(a) or (b), or otherwise designated as a regulated article in accordance with Sec. 301.552(c).
South American cactus moth. The live insect known as the South American cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, in any life stage (egg, larva, pupa, adult).
State. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana
Islands, or any State, territory, or possession of the United States. Sec. 301.552 Regulated articles.
The following are regulated articles:
(a) The South American cactus moth, in any living stage of its development.\2\
\2\ Permit and other requirements for the interstate movement of
South American cactus moths are contained in part 330 of this chapter.
(b) Cactus plants or parts thereof (excluding seeds and canned,
preserved, or frozen pads or fruits) of the following genera: Consolea, Cylindropuntia, Nopalea, and Opuntia.
(c) Any other product, article, or means of conveyance not listed
in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section that an inspector determines
presents a risk of spreading the South American cactus moth, after the
inspector provides written notification to the person in possession of
the product, article, or means of conveyance that it is subject to the restrictions of this subpart.
Sec. 301.553 Quarantined areas.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section,
the Administrator will list as a quarantined area in paragraph (c) of
this section each State, or each portion of a State, in which the South
American cactus moth has been found by an inspector, in which the
Administrator has reason to believe that the South American cactus moth
is present, or that the Administrator considers necessary to quarantine
because of its inseparability for quarantine enforcement purposes from
localities where South American cactus moth has been found. Less than
an entire State will be designated as a quarantined area only if the Administrator determines that:
(1) The State has adopted and is enforcing restrictions on the
intrastate movement of the regulated articles that are equivalent to
those imposed by this subpart on the interstate movement of regulated articles; and
(2) The designation of less than the entire State as a quarantined
area will be adequate to prevent the interstate spread of the South American cactus moth.
(b) The Administrator or an inspector may temporarily designate any
nonquarantined area in a State as a quarantined area in accordance with
the criteria specified in paragraph (a) of this section. The
Administrator will give a copy of this regulation along with written
notice of the temporary designation to the owner or person in
possession of the nonquarantined area, or, in the case of publicly
owned land, to the person responsible for the management of the
nonquarantined area. Thereafter, the interstate movement of any
regulated article from an area temporarily designated as a quarantined
area will be subject to this subpart. As soon as practicable, the area
will be added to the list in paragraph (c) of this section or the
designation will be terminated by the Administrator or an inspector.
The owner or person in possession of, or, in the case of publicly owned
land, the person responsible for the management of, an area for which
designation is terminated will be given written notice of the termination as soon as practicable.
(c) The following areas are designated as quarantined areas: Alabama
The entire State.
Florida
The entire State.
Georgia
The entire State.
[[Page 7685]]
South Carolina
The entire State.
Sec. 301.554 Conditions governing the interstate movement of regulated articles from quarantined areas.
Any regulated article may be moved interstate from a quarantined area\3\ only if moved under the following conditions:
\3\ Requirements under all other applicable Federal domestic plant quarantines and regulations must also be met.
(a) With a certificate or limited permit issued and attached in accordance with Sec. Sec. 301.555 and 301.558;
(b) Without a certificate or limited permit if:
(1) The regulated article originated outside the quarantined area
and is either moved in an enclosed vehicle or is completely enclosed by
a covering (such as canvas, plastic, or other closely woven cloth)
adequate to prevent access by South American cactus moths while moving through the quarantined area; and
(2) The point of origin of the regulated article is indicated on
the waybill, and the enclosed vehicle or the enclosure that contains
the regulated article is not opened, unpacked, or unloaded in the quarantined area; and
(3) The regulated article is moved through the quarantined area
without stopping except for refueling or for traffic conditions, such as traffic lights or stop signs.
(c) Without a certificate or limited permit if the regulated article is moved:
(1) By the United States Department of Agriculture for experimental or scientific purposes;
(2) Pursuant to a departmental permit issued by the Administrator for the regulated article;
(3) Under conditions specified on the departmental permit and found
by the Administrator to be adequate to prevent the spread of the South American cactus moth; and
(4) With a tag or label bearing the number of the departmental
permit issued for the regulated article attached to the outside of the
container of the regulated article or attached to the regulated article itself if not in a container.
Sec. 301.555 Issuance and cancellation of certificates and limited permits.
(a) An inspector \4\ may issue a certificate for the interstate
movement of a regulated article if the inspector determines that:
\4\ Services of an inspector may be requested by contacting
local offices of Plant Protection and Quarantine, which are listed in telephone directories.
(1) The regulated article to be moved and all other regulated
articles on the premises have been grown and maintained indoors in a
shadehouse or greenhouse and no other cactus moth host material exists on the premises outside of a shadehouse or greenhouse;
(2) The regulated article to be moved and all other regulated
articles on the premises are maintained on benches that are kept separate from benches containing nonhost material;
(3) The regulated article to be moved and all other regulated
articles on the premises have been placed on a 21day insecticide spray
cycle and have been sprayed with Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
kurstaki, carbaryl, spinosad, or imidaploprid if maintained in the nursery for longer than 21 days;
(4) The regulated article to be moved has been sprayed with
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, carbaryl, spinosad, or
imidaploprid 3 to 5 days prior to shipment and inspected and found free of cactus moth egg sticks and larval damage; and
(5) If the regulated article was moved into the premises from
another premises in a quarantined area listed in Sec. 301.553, it was
immediately placed inside the shadehouse or greenhouse and sprayed with
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, carbaryl, spinosad, or imidaploprid within 24 hours.
(b) An inspector will issue a limited permit for the interstate
movement of a regulated article if the inspector determines that:
(1) The regulated article is to be moved interstate to a specified
destination for specified handling, processing, or utilization (the
destination and other conditions to be listed in the limited permit),
and this interstate movement will not result in the spread of the South
American cactus moth because life stages of the South American cactus
moth will be destroyed by the specified handling, processing, or utilization;
(2) It is to be moved in compliance with any additional conditions
that the Administrator may impose under section 414 of the Plant
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714) in order to prevent the spread of the South American cactus moth; and
(3) It is eligible for unrestricted movement under all other
Federal domestic plant quarantines and regulations applicable to the regulated article.
(c) Certificates and limited permits for the interstate movement of
regulated articles may be issued by an inspector or person operating
under a compliance agreement. A person operating under a compliance
agreement may issue a certificate or limited permit for interstate
movement of a regulated article after an inspector has determined that
the regulated article is eligible for a certificate or limited permit in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section.
(d) Any certificate or limited permit that has been issued may be
canceled, either orally or in writing, by an inspector whenever the
inspector determines that the holder of the limited permit has not
complied with this subpart or any conditions imposed under this
subpart. If the cancellation is oral, the cancellation will become
effective immediately, and the cancellation and the reasons for the
cancellation will be confirmed in writing as soon as circumstances
permit. Any person whose certificate or limited permit has been
canceled may appeal the decision in writing to the Administrator within
10 days after receiving the written cancellation notice. The appeal
must state all of the facts and reasons that the person wants the
Administrator to consider in deciding the appeal. A hearing may be held
to resolve a conflict as to any material fact. Rules of practice for
the hearing will be adopted by the Administrator. As soon as
practicable, the Administrator will grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the decision.
Sec. 301.556 Compliance agreements and cancellation.
(a) Any person engaged in growing, handling, or moving regulated
articles may enter into a compliance agreement when an inspector
determines that the person is aware of this subpart, agrees to comply
with its provisions, and agrees to comply with all the provisions contained in the compliance agreement.\5\
\5\ Compliance agreement forms are available without charge from
local Plant Protection and Quarantine offices, which are listed in telephone directories.
(b) Any compliance agreement may be canceled, either orally or in
writing, by an inspector whenever the inspector finds that the person
who has entered into the compliance agreement has failed to comply with
this subpart or the terms of the compliance agreement. If the
cancellation is oral, the cancellation and the reasons for the
cancellation will be confirmed in writing as promptly as circumstances
allow. Any person whose compliance agreement has been canceled may
appeal the decision, in writing, to the Administrator, within 10 days after receiving written notification
[[Page 7686]]
of the cancellation. The appeal must state all of the facts and reasons
upon which the person relies to show that the compliance agreement was
wrongfully canceled. As promptly as circumstances allow, the
Administrator will grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the
reasons for the decision. A hearing will be held to resolve any
conflict as to any material fact. Rules of practice concerning a hearing will be adopted by the Administrator.
Sec. 301.557 Assembly and inspection of regulated articles.
(a) Any person (other than a person authorized to issue limited
permits under Sec. 301.55*5(c)) who desires a certificate or limited
permit to move a regulated article interstate must request an inspector
\6\ to examine the articles as far in advance of the desired interstate
movement as possible, but no less than 48 hours before the desired interstate movement.
\6\ See footnote 4.
(b) The regulated article must be assembled at the place and in the
manner the inspector designates as necessary to comply with this subpart.
Sec. 301.558 Attachment and disposition of certificates and limited permits.
(a) A certificate or limited permit required for the interstate
movement of a regulated article must, at all times during the interstate movement, be:
(1) Attached to the outside of the container containing the regulated article; or
(2) Attached to the regulated article itself if not in a container; or
(3) Attached to the consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill.
If the certificate or limited permit is attached to the consignee's
copy of the waybill, the regulated article must be sufficiently
described on the certificate or limited permit and on the waybill to identify the regulated article.
(b) The certificate or limited permit for the interstate movement
of a regulated article must be furnished by the carrier or the
carrier's representative to the consignee listed on the certificate or
limited permit upon arrival at the location provided on the certificate or limited permit.
The services of the inspector during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays) will be furnished without cost. APHIS will not be responsible for all costs or charges incident to inspections or compliance with the provisions of the quarantine and regulations in this subpart, other than for the services of the inspector.
Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of February 2008. Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E82477 Filed 2808; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mr. Joel Floyd, Planning and Preparedness Team Leader, Emergency and Domestic Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 137, Riverdale, MD 207371236; (301) 7344396.
14 CFR Part 39 40 CFR Part 52 14 CFR Part 71 33 CFR Part 165 26 CFR Part 1 50 CFR Part 679 33 CFR Part 117 40 CFR Part 180 44 CFR Part 67 50 CFR Part 17 47 CFR Part 73 50 CFR Part 648 14 CFR Part 97 33 CFR Part 100 40 CFR Part 63 50 CFR Part 622 26 CFR Part 301 39 CFR Part 111 44 CFR Part 65 40 CFR Parts 52 and 81 40 CFR Part 271 14 CFR Part 23 47 CFR Part 76 40 CFR Part 300 21 CFR Part 522 50 CFR Part 660 50 CFR Part 229 47 CFR Part 64 7 CFR Part 301 14 CFR Part 25