Federal Register: May 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 91)
DOCID: fr09my08-29 FR Doc E8-10442
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. APHIS-2008-0065]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr09my08-29
ACTION: Pest Risk Analysis:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Importation of Dragon Fruit From Vietnam Into the Continental United States
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 8, 2008.
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 dragon fruit from Vietnam. 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 dragon fruit from Vietnam. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment. [[Page 26361]]
SUMMARY:
Importation of Dragon Fruit From Vietnam Into the Continental United States,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Background
Under the regulations in ``SubpartFruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56 through 319.5647, 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.
Section 319.564 contains 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 paragraph (b) of that section. These measures are:
APHIS received a request from the Government of Vietnam to allow the importation of dragon fruit from Vietnam 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 dragon fruit can be safely imported into the continental United States from Vietnam 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 dragon fruit from Vietnam 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 dragon fruit from Vietnam into the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the risk management analysis.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 77017772, and 77817786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of May 2008. Cindy Smith,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E810442 Filed 5808; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. Alex Belano, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operation Staff, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 207371231; (301) 7345333.