[Federal Register: August 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 160)]
[Notices]
[Page 51443-51449]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au04-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket 04-058-1]
International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting
Activities
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the
Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade, we are informing the public of international standard-
setting activities of the Office International des Epizooties, the
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the
North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting
public comment on the standards to be considered.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. 04-058-1,
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700
River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your
comment refers to Docket No. 04-058-1.
E-mail: Address your comment to
regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comment must be contained in the body
of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name
and address in your message and ``Docket No. 04-058-1'' on the subject
line.
Agency Web Site: Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/cominst.html
for a form you can use to submit an e-mail comment through
the APHIS Web site.
Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this
docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
[[Page 51444]]
Other Information: You may view APHIS documents published in the
Federal Register and related information, including the names of groups
and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, on the Internet at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics
covered in this notice, contact Mr. John Greifer, Director, Trade
Support Team, International Services, APHIS, room 1132, South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202)
720-7677. For specific information regarding standard-setting
activities of the Office International des Epizooties, contact Dr.
Michael David, Chief, Sanitary International Standards Team, VS, APHIS,
4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8093. For
specific information regarding the standard-setting activities of the
International Plant Protection Convention or the North American Plant
Protection Organization, contact Mr. Narcy Klag, Program Director,
Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8469.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common
international institutional framework for governing trade relations
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements.
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465),
which was signed into law by the President on December 8, 1994. The WTO
Agreements, which established the WTO, entered into force with respect
to the United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements
Act amended title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C.
2531 et seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency
to be responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and
phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international
standard-setting organization. The designated agency must inform the
public by publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that
provides the following information: (1) The SPS standards under
consideration or planned for consideration by the international
standard-setting organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified,
a description of the consideration or planned consideration of that
standard, a statement of whether the United States is participating or
plans to participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda
for U.S. participation, if any, and the agency responsible for
representing the United States with respect to that standard.
International standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any
standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed
under the auspices of the Office International des Epizooties (the
World Organization for Animal Health, OIE) regarding animal health and
zoonoses; (3) developed under the auspices of the Secretariat of the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in cooperation with
the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) regarding
plant health; or (4) established by or developed under any other
international organization agreed to by the member countries of the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the member countries of
the WTO. The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23,
1995 (60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the
official responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-
setting activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities and
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the
public of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform
the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was
created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. It is
the major international organization for encouraging international
trade in food and protecting the health and economic interests of
consumers.
APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC,
and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and
animal health and representing the United States with respect to these
standards. Following are descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO
organizations and the standard-setting agenda for each of these
organizations. We have described the agenda that each of these
organizations will address at their annual general sessions, including
standards that may be presented for adoption or consideration, as well
as other initiatives that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.
The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft
standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed
and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of
the United States to support adoption of international standards and to
participate actively and fully in their development, it should be
recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will
depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and
interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any
persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific
draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting
issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be
under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at
the beginning of this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
OIE Standard-Setting Activities
The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed
of 167 member nations, each of which is represented by a delegate who,
in most cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country. The WTO
has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting animal
health standards, reporting global animal disease events, and
presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary measures relating
to animal health.
The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research
among its members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to
achieve this through the development and revision of international
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international
trade of animals and animal products.
The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of member countries for
certain diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect
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to their international significance, publishes bulletins on global
disease status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to
member countries. Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake
the development and preparation of draft standards, which are then
circulated to member countries for consultation (review and comment).
Draft standards are revised accordingly and then presented to the OIE
General Session, which meets annually every May, for review and
adoption. Adoption, as a general rule, is based on consensus of the OIE
membership.
The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 21-28, 2005, in
Paris, France. Currently, the Associate Administrator for APHIS is the
official U.S. delegate to the OIE. The Associate Administrator intends
to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS'
position on any standard up for adoption. Information about current and
past OIE draft Code chapters may be found on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/oie/
or by contacting Dr. Michael David (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
OIE Code Chapters Up for Adoption
Existing Code chapters that may be revised and new chapters that
may be drafted in preparation for the next General Session in 2005
include the following:
1. Avian Influenza
This chapter was recently redrafted, however it was not adopted.
Country comments are being considered for a second draft that will be
up for adoption in 2005.
2. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
This chapter is continuously being updated as new and additional
information becomes available. For the next General Session, the Code
Commission will propose a three tier category under which countries are
placed with respect to BSE.
3. Animal Welfare
Various ad hoc groups will be continuing to draft chapters
establishing international standards for the transportation of
livestock. The chapters should be available for comment and review in
the fall of 2004.
Code Commission Future Work Program
During the next few years, the OIE Code Commission is expected to
address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of experts to
update and/or develop standards for the following issues:
1. Traceability
This would be a new OIE Code chapter which is intended to improve
procedures for identifying animals and animal products and monitoring
their movements.
2. Aujeszky's Disease
This disease is also known as pseudorabies in the United States.
The OIE will convene an ad hoc group to draft surveillance guidelines
for the disease.
3. Appendix on Bluetongue Surveillance
This would be a new OIE appendix which is intended to guide
countries in the surveillance and monitoring of bluetongue.
4. Paratuberculosis
This would represent a complete redrafting of a current OIE Code
chapter that has been determined to be outdated. A draft should be
available for review within 1 or 2 years.
The Process
These chapters are drafted (or revised) by either the Code
Commission or by ad hoc groups composed of technical experts nominated
by the Director General of the OIE by virtue of their subject-area
expertise. Once a new chapter is drafted or an existing one revised,
the chapter is distributed to member countries for review and comment.
The OIE attempts to provide proposed chapters by early September to
allow member countries sufficient time for comment. Comments are due by
mid-November of the same year. The draft standard is revised by the OIE
Code Commission on the basis of relevant scientific comments received
from member countries.
The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to review and, where
appropriate, comment on all draft chapters and revisions once it
receives them from the OIE. USDA/APHIS intends to distribute these
drafts to the U.S. livestock and aquaculture industries, veterinary
experts in various U.S. academic institutions, and other interested
persons for review and comment. Additional information regarding these
draft standards may be obtained by contacting Dr. Michael David (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
Generally, if a country has concerns with a particular draft
standard, and supports those concerns with sound technical information,
the pertinent OIE Code Commission will revise that standard accordingly
and present the revised draft for adoption at the General Session in
May. In the event that a country's concerns regarding a draft standard
are not taken into account, that country may refuse to support the
standard when it comes up for adoption at the General Session. However,
each member country is obligated to review, comment, and make decisions
regarding the adoption of standards strictly on their scientific
merits.
Other OIE Topics
Every year at the General Session, two technical items are
presented. For the May 2005 General Session, the following technical
items will be presented:
1. The implication of genetic engineering for livestock and
biotechnology products.
2. Implementation of OIE standards in the framework of the SPS
Agreement.
The information in this notice includes all the information
available to us on OIE standards currently under development or
consideration. Information on OIE standards is available on the
Internet at http://www.oie.int. Further, a formal agenda for the next
General Session should be available to member countries by March 2005,
and copies will be available to the public once the agenda is
published. For the most current information on meeting times, working
groups, and/or meeting agendas, including information on official U.S.
participation in OIE activities, and U.S. positions on standards being
considered, contact Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any areas of work
under the OIE may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see
ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Dr. Michael David.
IPPC Standard-Setting Activities
The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the
purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread
and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote
appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad,
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants
from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities addressed by
the IPPC include the development and establishment of international
plant health standards, the harmonization of phytosanitary activities
through emerging standards, the facilitation of
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the exchange of official and scientific information among countries,
and the furnishing of technical assistance to developing countries that
are signatories to the IPPC.
The IPPC is placed under the authority of the FAO, and the members
of the Secretariat of the IPPC are appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is
implemented by national plant protection organizations in cooperation
with regional plant protection organizations, the Interim Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM), and the Secretariat of the IPPC. The
United States plays a major role in all standard-setting activities
under the IPPC and has representation on FAO's highest governing body,
the FAO Conference.
The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972
and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever
since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered
into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries
accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties
completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the
FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997
amendment updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-
setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC
will enter into force on the thirtieth day after two-thirds of the
current contracting parties notify the Director General of FAO of their
acceptance of the amendment. At this date, 56 of the required 85 member
countries have deposited their official letters of acceptance. The U.S.
Senate gave its advice and consent to acceptance of the newly revised
IPPC on October 18, 2000. The President submitted the official letter
of acceptance to the FAO Director General on October 4, 2001.
The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the
national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is
to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United
States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The steps for developing a
standard under the revised IPPC are described below.
Step 1: Proposals for a new international standard for
phytosanitary measures (ISPM) or for the review or revision of an
existing ISPM are submitted to the Secretariat of the IPPC in the form
of a discussion paper accompanied by a topic or draft standard. Drafts
can be submitted by individual countries, but are more commonly
submitted by regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs).
Alternately, the Secretariat can propose a new standard or amendments
to existing standards.
Step 2: A summary of proposals is submitted by the Secretariat to
the ICPM. The ICPM identifies the topics and priorities for standard
setting from among the proposals submitted to the Secretariat and
others that may be raised by the ICPM.
Step 3: Specifications for the standards identified as priorities
by the ICPM are drafted by the Secretariat. The draft specifications
are submitted to the Standards Committee for approval/amendment and are
subsequently made available to members and RPPOs for comment (60 days).
Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Taking into
account the comments, the Standards Committee finalizes the
specifications.
Step 4: The standard is drafted or revised in accordance with the
specifications by a working group designated by the Standards
Committee. The resulting draft standard is submitted to the Standards
Committee for review.
Step 5: Draft standards approved by the Standards Committee are
distributed to members by the Secretariat and RPPOs for consultation
(100 days). Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Where
appropriate, the Standards Committee may establish open-ended
discussion groups as forums for further comment. The Secretariat
summarizes the comments and submits them to the Standards Committee.
Step 6: Taking into account the comments, the Secretariat, in
cooperation with the Standards Committee, revises the draft standard.
The Standards Committee submits the final version to the ICPM for
adoption.
Step 7: The ISPM is established through formal adoption by the ICPM
according to Rule X of the Rules of Procedure of the ICPM.
Step 8: Review of the ISPM is completed by the specified date or
such other date as may be agreed upon by the ICPM.
Each member country is represented on the ICPM by a single
delegate. Although experts and advisers may accompany the delegate to
meetings of the ICPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate)
may represent each member country in considering a standard up for
approval. Parties involved in a vote by the ICPM are to make every
effort to reach agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all
efforts to reach a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a
standard be passed by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and
voting.
Technical experts from the United States have participated directly
in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft
standards. In addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and
NAPPO have been sources of significant input for many of the standards
adopted to date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards
currently under consideration or up for adoption. The full text of each
standard will be available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.gov/ppq/pim/standards/.
Interested individuals may review the standards posted
on this Web site and submit comments via the Web site.
The next ICPM meeting is scheduled for April 4-April 8, 2005, at
FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS'
PPQ program is the U.S. delegate to the ICPM. The Deputy Administrator
intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment
on APHIS' position on any standards up for adoption. The provisional
agenda for the Seventh Session of the Interim Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures is as follows:
1. Opening of the session.
2. Adoption of the agenda.
3. Report by the chairperson.
4. Report by the Secretariat.
5. Standards up for adoption in 2005.
6. Items arising from the Sixth Session of the ICPM (see section below
entitled ``New Standard Setting Initiatives'' for details).
7. Work program for harmonization.
8. Status of the 1997 revised IPPC.
9. Other business.
10. Date and venue of the next meeting.
11. Adoption of the report.
IPPC Standards Up for Adoption in 2005
It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently
developed to be considered by the ICPM for adoption at its April 2005
meeting. The United States, represented by APHIS' Deputy Administrator
for PPQ, will participate in the consideration of these standards. The
U.S. position on each of these issues will be developed prior to the
ICPM session and will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from
other U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information
from interested stakeholders. The standards that are most likely to be
considered for adoption include:
[[Page 51447]]
1. Amendments to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms)
This standard is intended to assist national plant protection
organizations and others in the exchange of information and with the
harmonization of vocabulary used in official communication and
legislation pertaining to phytosanitary measures. ISPMs are subject to
periodic review and amendment. The last time this standard was amended
was 2002. The draft standard includes proposals to amend 11
definitions, add 9 new definitions, and add clarification to 2 terms in
the form of ``agreed interpretation statements.'' This draft standard
was posted on APHIS' Web site on June 15, 2004, with comments due by
September 10, 2004. Subsequently this draft will be prepared for ICPM
approval at its 7th session in April 2005. The United States (i.e.,
USDA/APHIS) intends to support adoption of this draft standard.
2. Guidelines on the Concept of Equivalence of Phytosanitary Measures
and Its Application in International Trade
This standard describes the principles and requirements that apply
to the concept of equivalence of phytosanitary measures. It also
describes a procedure for equivalence determinations in international
trade. Equivalence is one of the IPPC general principles. It generally
applies to cases where phytosanitary measures already exist for a
specific pest associated with trade in a specific commodity.
Equivalence determinations are based on the specified pest risk and
equivalence may apply to individual measures, a combination of
measures, or integrated measures in a systems approach. This draft
standard was posted on APHIS' Web site on June 15, 2004, with comments
due by September 10, 2004. Subsequently this draft will be prepared for
ICPM approval at its 7th session in April 2005. The United States
(i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to support adoption of this draft standard.
3. Guidelines for Consignments in Transit
This standard describes phytosanitary procedures that allow
consignments of regulated articles to pass in transit through a country
under procedures less restrictive than those for import and re-export
while appropriately managing the phytosanitary risk. This standard
provides guidance for countries in adhering to the IPPC, which states
that ``Contracting parties may apply measures specified in this Article
to consignments in transit through their territories only where such
measures are technically justified and necessary to prevent the
introduction and/or spread of pests.'' This draft standard was posted
on APHIS' Web site on June 15, 2004, with comments due by September 10,
2004. Subsequently this draft will be prepared for ICPM approval at its
7th session in April 2005. The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends
to support adoption of this draft standard.
4. Guidelines for Inspection of Consignments
This standard describes the procedures for the inspection of
consignments of plants, plant products, and other regulated articles at
import and export. It is focused on the determination of compliance
with phytosanitary requirements, based on visual examination for the
detection of pests. Sampling procedures will be covered in a future
standard. This draft standard was posted on APHIS' Web site on June 15,
2004, with comments due by September 10, 2004. Subsequently this draft
will be prepared for ICPM approval at its 7th session in April 2005.
The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to support adoption of
this draft standard.
5. Requirements for the Establishment, Maintenance, and Verification of
Areas of Low Pest Prevalence
This standard describes the requirements for the establishment,
maintenance, verification, and use of areas of low pest prevalence for
regulated pests. Once established, these areas may be used in
conjunction with other phytosanitary measures as part of a systems
approach. Such areas are recognized in the IPPC and are described as
``an area, whether all of a country, or all or parts of several
countries, as identified by the competent authorities, in which a
specific pest occurs at low levels and which is subject to effective
surveillance, control or eradication measures.'' This draft standard
was posted on APHIS' Web site on June 15, 2004, with comments due by
September 10, 2004. Subsequently this draft will be prepared for ICPM
approval at its 7th session in April 2005. The United States (i.e.,
USDA/APHIS) intends to support adoption of this draft standard.
6. Guidelines for the Export, Shipment, Import, and Release of
Biological Control Agents and Beneficial Organisms
This standard provides guidelines for risk management related to
the export, shipment import, and release of biological control agents
and beneficial organisms. It lists the related responsibilities of
contracting parties, national plant protection organizations,
importers, and exporters. The standard addresses the importation of
biological control agents capable of self-replication, as well as
sterile insects, and beneficial organisms, and includes those packaged
or formulated as commercial products (i.e., biopesticides). It covers
import for purposes including research in quarantine facilities and
release into the environment. The scope of this standard does not
extend to cover living modified organisms (LMOs) or issues related to
product registration. This draft standard was posted on APHIS' Web site
on June 15, 2004, with comments due by September 10, 2004. Subsequently
this draft will be prepared for ICPM approval at its 7th session in
April 2005. The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to support
adoption of this draft standard.
New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development
A number of expert working group meetings or other technical
consultations will take place during 2004 and 2005 on the topics listed
below. These standard-setting initiatives are not expected to be
completed prior to April 2005 and, therefore, will not be ready for
adoption at the 2005 ICPM session. Nonetheless, APHIS intends to
participate actively and fully in each of these working groups. The
U.S. position on each of the topics to be addressed by these various
working groups will be developed prior to these working group meetings
and will be based on APHIS' technical analysis, information from other
U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from
interested stakeholders.
1. Revision of ISPM No. 2 (Guidelines for Pest Risk Analysis)
This standard was adopted in 1995 and is considered a foundation
standard describing the basic framework for conducting a pest risk
analysis. This was before the revision of the IPPC and also before many
national plant protection organizations had experience with pest risk
analysis. The subsequent revision of the IPPC and the rapid advancement
of pest risk analysis in practice created the need for updating the
guidance provided by ISPM No. 2. In particular, the standard provides
no guidance in certain situations such as regulated non-quarantine
pests, LMOs, or biological control agents, and it has certain key
deficiencies such as not considering the feasibility of measures
[[Page 51448]]
in risk management. As a result, ICPM members agreed on the need to
review, update, and make consistent the original concept standard with
these more contemporary standards.
2. Efficacy of Phytosanitary Measures
This standard will provide guidance for evaluating the efficacy of
phytosanitary measures. This will be significant guidance as the IPPC
begins to develop recommendations on acceptable phytosanitary measures
for managing specific pests. A range of supplemental and specific
standards could follow (e.g., hot water treatment for fruit flies).
3. Use of Integrated Measures in a Systems Approach for Pest Risk
Management of Citrus Fruit for Citrus Canker
This standard provides specific guidelines for citrus canker risk
management to facilitate the trade of citrus fruit. At the Fourth
Session of the ICPM, members agreed on the need to develop a standard
to harmonize the approach used by countries in establishing systems
approaches for export purposes.
4. Guidelines for Regulating Potato Micropropagation Material and
Minitubers in International Trade
This standard describes phytosanitary measures to reduce the risks
of regulated pests being associated with potato micropropagation
material and minitubers in international trade. Internationally, there
are large numbers of pests associated with potato propagative material.
Since potato minitubers and micropropagation material are intended for
use in vegetative propagation, the risk of spreading pests is
increased. Certain micropropagation processes can free propagative
material from pests and therefore can be used as the basis for
importing healthy material. Consequently, the export certification of
such material is important and its basis may be harmonized.
5. Classification of Commodities by Phytosanitary Risk Related to Level
of Processing and Intended Use
This standard aims to facilitate trade and increase transparency.
It is generally acknowledged that the level of processing and the
intended use of commodities may result in different levels of pest and
disease risk. This may result in differences in the application of
phytosanitary measures, hence the need for harmonization.
6. Alternatives to Methyl Bromide
This standard will address the need for an alternative to methyl
bromide (MB). With restrictions on the use of MB and decreasing
availability of MB, alternative strategies for dealing with quarantine
pests need to be developed.
7. Guidelines on Sampling of Consignments
This standard will provide guidelines for sampling for import,
export, domestic movement, and transit of consignments. Sampling is an
important component of inspection and a standard is needed to provide
guidelines in order to adequately and consistently sample consignments
being inspected. The draft standard on guidelines for inspection of
consignments only contains basic information on sampling. However, more
information and guidance is required on the principles and statistical
aspects of sampling.
For more detailed information on the above topics, which will be
addressed by various working groups established by the ICPM, contact
Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
APHIS posts draft standards on the Internet (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/
) as they become available and
provides information when comments on standards are due. Additional
information on IPPC standards is available on the FAO's Web site at
http://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.htm. For the most current
information on official U.S. participation in IPPC activities,
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, contact Mr.
Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
Those wishing to provide comments on any of the areas of work being
undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by responding to this
notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Mr. Klag.
NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities
NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United
States, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry,
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating
intra- and inter-regional trade. NAPPO conducts its business through
panels and annual meetings held among the three member countries. The
NAPPO Executive Committee charges individual panels with the
responsibility for drawing up proposals for NAPPO positions, policies,
and standards. These panels are made up of representatives from each
member country who have scientific expertise related to the policy or
standard being considered. Proposals drawn up by the individual panels
are circulated for review to government and industry officials in
Canada, Mexico, and the United States, who may suggest revisions. In
the United States, draft standards are circulated to industry, States,
and various government agencies for consideration and comment. The
draft standards are posted on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/
; interested persons may submit
comments via that Web site. Once revisions are made, the proposal is
sent to the NAPPO working group and the NAPPO standards panel for
technical reviews and then to the Executive Committee for final
approval, which is granted by consensus.
The annual NAPPO meeting is scheduled for October 18-22, 2004, in
Vancouver, Canada. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting will take
place on October 17, 2004, and a special session will be held on
October 18, 2004, to solicit comment from industry groups so that
suggestions can be incorporated into the NAPPO work plan for the 2005
NAPPO year. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ is a member of the NAPPO
Executive Committee. The Deputy Administrator intends to participate in
the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any
standard up for adoption or any proposals to develop new standards.
The work plan for 2004 was established after the October 2003
Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ
participated in establishing this NAPPO work plan (see panel
assignments below). Below is a summary of current panel assignments as
they relate to the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United
States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to participate actively and fully in
the work of each of these panels. The U.S. position on each topic will
be guided and informed by the best scientific information available on
each of these topics. For each of the following panels, the United
States will consider its position on any draft standard after it
reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding the following NAPPO
panel topics, assignments, activities, and updates on meeting times and
locations may be obtained from the NAPPO homepage at http://www.nappo.org
or by contacting Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT above).
[[Page 51449]]
1. Accreditation Panel
The panel will develop an audit protocol for reviewing compliance
with the NAPPO laboratory accreditation standard (RSPM No. 9). They
will then use this protocol to audit the programs in the three NAPPO
countries starting with the United States. They will review and update
the current NAPPO laboratory accreditation standard (RSPM No. 9).
2. Biological Control Panel
This panel will finalize the NAPPO standard on biological control
containment facilities.
3. Biotechnology Panel
This panel will continue to develop a NAPPO standard for the review
of products of biotechnology that focuses on the assessment of the
potential to present a plant pest risk. The final module, importation
for uses other than propagation, will be developed.
4. Citrus Panel
The panel will revise the NAPPO standard ``Guidelines for the
Importation of Citrus Propagative Material into a NAPPO Member
Country'' (RSPM No. 16) to include additional pests.
5. Fruit Panel
The panel will finalize the amendments to the plum pox virus
standard (RSPM No. 18), and will prepare a new standard entitled
``Guidelines for the International Movement of Pome and Stone Fruit
Trees into a NAPPO Member Country.''
6. Grapevine Panel
The panel will provide direction and support to the Technical
Advisory Group to include insects and nematodes in the NAPPO standard
for grapevines (RSPM No. 15).
7. Potato Panel
The panel will develop an appendix to RSPM No. 3 on nematode
identification and update appendix 5 based on the latest molecular
information for PVYn.
8. Propagative Material Panel
The panel will review and revise the ``Concept Paper on Propagative
Material'' and begin the development of a NAPPO standard on the
importation of plants for planting into NAPPO member countries.
9. Standards Panel
The panel will continue to provide updates on standards for the
NAPPO newsletter, coordinate the review of new and amended NAPPO
standards and ensure that comments received during the country
consultation phase are incorporated as appropriate, organize conference
calls and prepare NAPPO discussion documents for possible use at the
IPPC, and promote implementation of recently adopted standards.
The PPQ Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to
NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant
health standards, including the work described above, once they are
completed and ready for such consideration.
The information in this notice includes all the information
available to us on NAPPO standards currently under development or
consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the
working panels that may become available following publication of this
notice, check the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at http://www.nappo.org
or contact Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT above). Information on official U.S. participation in NAPPO
activities, including U.S. positions on standards being considered, may
also be obtained from Mr. Klag.
Those wishing to provide comments on any of the topics being
addressed by any of the NAPPO panels may do so at any time by
responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting
comments through Mr. Klag.
Done in Washington, DC, this 13th day of August 2004.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 04-19005 Filed 8-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P