[Federal Register: December 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 232)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70330-70335]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de06-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
7 CFR Part 319
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0133]
RIN 0579-AC20
Importation of Unshu Oranges From the Republic of Korea Into
Alaska
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the regulations governing the
importation of citrus fruit to allow fresh Unshu oranges from the
Republic of Korea to be imported into the State of Alaska under certain
conditions. As a condition of entry, the oranges would have to be
prepared for shipping using packinghouse procedures that include
culling of damaged or diseased fruit and washing in a water bath. In
addition, the oranges would have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary
certificate with an additional declaration stating that the oranges
were inspected and found free from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri
[[Page 70331]]
and Unaspis yanonensis. The individual cartons or boxes in which the
Unshu oranges are shipped would also have to be stamped or printed with
a statement restricting their importation and distribution to the State
of Alaska. This action would allow for the importation of Unshu oranges
from the Republic of Korea into Alaska while continuing to provide
protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before
February 2, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0133 to submit or view public
comments and to view supporting and related materials available
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0133, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0133.
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.
Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Alex Belano, Import Specialist,
Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, Plant Health Programs, PPQ,
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-
8765.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Citrus canker is a disease that affects citrus and is caused by the
infectious bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis (also known as Xanthomonas
campestris pv. citri (Hasse) Dye and Xanthomonas citri). Currently, the
regulations in 7 CFR 319.28 (referred to below as the regulations)
allow the importation of Unshu oranges (Citrus reticulata Blanco var.
unshu Swingle) from certain areas in the Republic of Korea (South
Korea) into certain areas of the United States under a permit and after
the specified safeguards of a preclearance program have been met to
prevent the introduction of citrus canker. However, the importation of
Unshu oranges from South Korea was administratively suspended in 2002
due to the increased number of interceptions of the causal agent of
citrus canker at various packinghouses in South Korea.
In 2005, the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of South
Korea requested that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) allow the shipment of Unshu oranges into the State of Alaska
until the pest risk of citrus canker from South Korea could be
adequately mitigated for the rest of the United States. As part of our
evaluation of South Korea's request, we prepared a pest risk assessment
(PRA) and a risk management document. Copies of the PRA and risk
management document may be obtained from the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site
(see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov).
The PRA, titled ``A Qualitative Pest Risk Analysis for the
Importation of Fresh Unshu Orange Fruit (Citrus reticulata Blanco var.
unshu Swingle) from the Republic of Korea into Alaska'' (May 2006),
evaluates the risks associated with the importation of Unshu oranges
into Alaska from South Korea. The PRA and supporting documents
identified 45 pests of quarantine significance associated with Unshu
oranges in South Korea. However, the assessment further determined that
only 2 of the 45 quarantine significant pests identified--citrus canker
and the arrowhead scale Unaspis yanonensis Kuwana--may be reasonably
expected to follow the pathway of Unshu orange shipments from South
Korea. The other 43 quarantine pests have the potential to be harmful
if introduced into the United States, but are not likely to follow the
import pathway and therefore, were not analyzed further.
Citrus canker is present in the State of Florida and occurs in
Asia, Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and
Oceania, and the D-strain has been reported in Mexico. It has the
potential to establish itself in Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10.
However, those zones do not occur in Alaska, so the bacterium would be
unable to become established in that State. In addition, hosts of the
causal agent of citrus canker, X. axonopodis, do not occur in Alaska.
Symptomatic citrus canker diseased fruit are easily identified by the
necrotic lesions on the rind of the fruit, so most infected fruit would
be culled during post-harvest processing or detected through post-
harvest inspection.
U. yanonensis is a predominantly Asian species of scale insect that
prefers warm, temperate climates that correspond to at least four Plant
Hardiness Zones (zones 8 to 11) within the United States. Host plants
grow in North America in Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 10. However,
because those zones do not occur in Alaska and because hosts of U.
yanonensis do not occur in Alaska, it is unlikely that this insect
would be able to establish itself within the State. Although U.
yanonensis is small, careful inspection for the mobile stages of this
insect by inspectors can detect it as proven by the high number of
interceptions of this pest from many countries and on many commodities.
Because of the lack of host material and the unsuitable climate for
these pests in Alaska, the PRA concluded that the risk of establishment
of these pests in Alaska is low. APHIS has determined that measures
beyond standard port of entry inspection are required to mitigate the
risk posed by the two plant pests. Therefore, we are proposing to
require that the individual cartons or boxes in which the Unshu oranges
are shipped be stamped or printed with a statement specifying that
``These oranges may not be shipped to any State other than Alaska.''
Based on APHIS' past experience with similar programs for limited
distribution, we have concluded that it is highly unlikely that whole
shipments or containers of Unshu oranges from South Korea would be
moved from Alaska into other areas of the United States. Since 1995, an
estimated 24 million South Korean Unshu oranges have been shipped to
the United States. In that time, only one shipment of Unshu oranges was
mistakenly redirected to a citrus-producing State; that shipment was
immediately redirected to a non-citrus-producing State.
We are also proposing to require that the Unshu oranges be prepared
for
[[Page 70332]]
shipping using packinghouse procedures that include culling damaged or
diseased fruit and washing in a water bath. While the water bath is
unlikely to directly kill either X. axonopodis or U. yanonensis,
washing fruits may help to remove any hitchhiking pests. We would also
require that each shipment of Unshu oranges be accompanied by a
phytosanitary certificate from the NPPO of South Korea with an
additional declaration stating that the oranges were inspected and are
considered to be free from X. axonopodis pv. citri. and U. yanonensis.
Specifically listing the pests on the additional declaration would also
serve to alert APHIS inspectors at the point of entry to the specific
pests of concern. As with current imports of Unshu oranges from Japan,
the importation of Unshu oranges from South Korea into Alaska will
require a permit.
We note that producers in South Korea employ a systems approach
that includes additional mitigation measures. These measures include a
field pest control program involving twice-yearly chemical sprays to
control citrus canker, and cultural practices such as tree thinning,
pruning of dead branches, and removal of injured or symptomatic fruits.
These measures, while not part of the requirements proposed in this
document, are routinely applied in the Unshu orange production areas
and help to minimize the expression of citrus canker and the presence
of symptomatic fruit in the groves during the growing season.
We have determined that these proposed measures would prevent the
introduction of plant pests into the United States. The proposed
conditions described above for the importation of Unshu oranges from
South Korea into Alaska would be added to the citrus fruit regulations
in Sec. 319.28 as a new paragraph (c). This proposed rule, if
implemented, would not affect the provisions of Sec. 319.28(b)
regarding the importation of Unshu oranges from Cheju Island, South
Korea, into any area of the United States except American Samoa,
Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, the Northern Mariana
Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those
provisions will remain administratively suspended.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866.
The rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget.
The United States is not a commercial producer of Unshu oranges
(Citrus reticulata var. unshui). The United States does produce other
mandarin varieties of Citrus reticulata, such as tangerines and Satsuma
mandarins. Effects of the proposed rule on U.S. entities would depend
on (1) the substitutability in Alaska of Unshu oranges for these other
mandarin varieties, and (2) Alaska's share of the U.S. supply of the
other mandarin varieties. We address these overriding issues before
discussing small entities that may be affected.
Unshu orange prices are higher than the prices of U.S.-grown
mandarin varieties, indicating that they are not close substitutes.
Retail prices of Unshu oranges are approximately $1.20 per pound,
whereas other mandarin varieties, such as Satsuma, range from $0.60 to
$1 per pound depending on the time of year.\1\
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\1\ Information on retail prices of Unshu oranges provided by
Jerry Kraft of The Oppenheimer Group, the sole importer of Unshu
oranges from Japan.
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Regarding the second issue, only mandarin varieties marketed in
Alaska could be directly affected by the proposed rule. We do not know
the quantities of these varieties consumed in Alaska, but can
reasonably assume the amounts to be relatively small compared to
consumption in the rest of the United States. In addition, Unshu
oranges are imported only 2 weeks of the year, with a shipping season
beginning in mid-to late November or early December. On top of Unshu
oranges and U.S.-grown mandarin varieties not being close substitutes
and the relatively short shipping season, the relative small size of
the Alaska market for U.S. producers would also tend to minimize
possible effects of the rule for them.
Clearly, the effects of the proposed rule with respect to Alaska's
broadly defined demand for all mandarin varieties are most likely to be
very limited. Rather, we expect reestablished imports from Korea to
compete for a share of Alaska's Unshu orange market, with the main
effects being on imports into Alaska from Japan.
Prior to the administrative suspension in 2002, Korea and Japan
were principal suppliers of Unshu oranges to the United States. It is
estimated that Alaska consumes approximately 30 percent of the Unshu
oranges imported from Japan. Quantities of Unshu oranges imported from
Korea and Japan, 1995 to 2005, are shown in table 1.
Table 1.--Unshu Orange Imports by the United States From Korea and
Japan, 1995-2005
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Year Korea Japan
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Metric tons
1995.......................................... 50 231
1996.......................................... 220 160
1997.......................................... 1,190 143
1998.......................................... 40 223
1999.......................................... 380 342
2000.......................................... 240 106
2001.......................................... 1,434 291
2002.......................................... 1,601 (\1\)
2003.......................................... ........... 275
2004.......................................... ........... 271
2005.......................................... ........... 256
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Source: USDA, APHIS, International Services.
\1\ In 2002, we amended the regulations to allow Unshu oranges from
Honshu Island, Japan, to be imported into the previously prohibited
citrus-producing States of Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii,
Louisiana, and Texas. That same rule imposed a fumigation requirement
for all Unshu oranges from Honshu Island, which seriously curtailed
the market for that fruit in non-citrus producing States. As a result,
there were no exports of Unshu oranges from Japan to the United States
in 2002. We subsequently amended the regulations to apply the
fumigation requirement only to fruit bound for citrus-producing
States, and exports resumed in 2003.
Unshu orange imports from Japan between 1995 and 2005 averaged 238
metric tons per year.\2\ Average imports of Unshu oranges from Korea
between 1995 and 2002 were 644 metric tons per year, with significant
year-to-year fluctuations and the average for 2001 and 2002 jumping to
1,518 metric tons. Imports of Unshu oranges from Japan have maintained
a more steady supply, even in the more recent years during which Unshu
oranges from Korea have been administratively suspended. From this
data, it is not apparent that Korean supplies would significantly
displace Unshu orange imports from Japan.
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\2\ This average does not include 2002, since it is likely that
Japan would have exported Unshu oranges to the United States in that
year if the fumigation requirement described under Table 1 had not
been in place.
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According to the pest risk assessment prepared for this rulemaking,
the quantity of Unshu oranges that would be imported from Korea into
Alaska each year is estimated to be between 200 and 2,000 metric tons
(440,925 and 4,409,245 pounds), based on projected imports of between
10 and 100 standard 40-foot containers.\3\ The lower end of this range
of imports would be comparable to recent import levels from Japan.
Based upon the past shipments
[[Page 70333]]
detailed in Table 1, we anticipate that imports of Unshu oranges from
Korea would not exceed 75 containers (1,500 metric tons) per annum. The
historical import data detailed in Table 1 suggest that Korean supplies
would not significantly displace Japanese Unshu oranges on the Alaskan
market.
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\3\ USDA, APHIS, PPQ-CHPST, ``A Qualitative Pest Risk Analysis
for the Importation of Fresh Unshu Orange Fruit (Citrus reticulate
Blanco var. unshu Swingle) from the Republic of Korea,'' May 25,
2006, pg 33.
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Our expectation is that the proposed rule would have little effect
on U.S. producers of mandarin varieties such as tangerines and
Satsumas. Any impact for these producers would be small, given that the
various mandarin varieties do not appear to be close substitutes for
Unshu oranges. Moreover, only sales to Alaska would be affected.
However, recognizing that our information for determining possible
effects of the proposed rule is incomplete, we present here data on
U.S. tangerine trade and production.
The United States is a net importer of mandarins (including
Satsumas and tangerines). In 2005, the United States imported 209.4
million pounds of mandarins (including Satsumas and tangerines) with
approximately 91 percent arriving from Spain. In that same year, the
United States exported approximately 48.1 million pounds of mandarins
(including Satsumas and tangerines). Canada is the largest importer of
U.S. fresh mandarins, accounting for 52 percent of U.S. exports. The
second and third largest importers of U.S. mandarins are South Korea
and Japan, accounting for approximately 38 and 6 percent of exports,
respectively.\4\ U.S. imports of tangerines experienced an average
increase of 17.8 percent annually over the last decade while exports
have increased an average of 5.9 percent.\5\ Domestic production
accounted for approximately 80 percent of domestic fresh consumption in
2005.\6\ The United States relies on imports of mandarins to supplement
domestic production in satisfying domestic demand. Fresh utilization of
U.S. mandarin and tangerine production only accounts, on average, for
70 percent of total utilized production annually.\7\ U.S. grower
revenue from fresh tangerine production in 2004-05 was approximately
$107.4 million.\8\
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\4\ Source: Global Trade Atlas.
\5\ Source: USDA, FAS, PS&D Online. ``Fresh Tangerines:
Production, Supply and Distribution in Selected Countries,'' http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdDownload.aspx
.
\6\ The proportion of domestic fresh consumption attributed to
U.S. production is production less exports and processed
utilization. Data Source: USDA ERS Briefing Room, Fruit and Tree Nut
Yearbook, 2005.
\7\ USDA, ERS Briefing Room, Fruit and Tree Nut Yearbook, 2005.
\8\ Florida Agricultural Statistic Service (FASS), National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, ``Citrus Summary 2004-
05,'' February 2006.
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U.S. tangerine production, imports, and domestic supplies are shown
on table 2. Net imports were 20 percent of domestic supply in 2004 to
2005.
Table 2.--U.S. Fresh Tangerine Production and Importation, Seasons 1999-00 Through 2004-05
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Year Production a Net imports Gb Supply Gc
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Metric tons
1999-00......................................................... 298,464 68,185 366,649
2000-01......................................................... 266,712 85,728 352,440
2001-02......................................................... 296,649 37,261 333,910
2002-03......................................................... 289,392 69,164 358,556
2003-04......................................................... 295,742 72,753 368,495
2004-05......................................................... 254,919 63,944 318,863
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Data Source: USDA/ERS Briefing Room, Fruit and Tree Nut Yearbook, 2005.
a Excludes processed fruit.
b Net imports are imports minus exports.
c U.S. production (excluding processed utilization) plus net imports.
The small business size standard for tangerine groves, as
identified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) based upon the
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 111320, is
$750,000 or less in annual receipts.\9\
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\9\ Based upon 2002 Census of Agriculture, State Data and the
``Small Business Size Standards by NAICS Industry,'' Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 13, Chapter 1.
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While available data do not provide the size distribution of U.S.
tangerine farms by annual receipts, it is reasonable to assume that the
majority of the operations are small businesses by SBA standards.\10\
According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture data, there were a total of
1,731 tangerine operations in the United States in 2002.\11\ It is
estimated that approximately 93 percent of all citrus-producing farms
had annual sales in 2002 of $500,000 or less.
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\10\ Based upon 2002 Census of Agriculture, State Data.
\11\ The number of tangerine farms in the United States, as
reported by the 2002 Census of Agriculture, includes operations that
produced tangerines for processed utilization.
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If Unshu oranges and U.S.-grown mandarin varieties were close
substitutes, then U.S. entities could be affected to the extent that
Unshu orange imports from Korea would displace sales in Alaska of the
U.S.-grown mandarin varieties. Small entities would be affected, since
they comprise a substantial number of the producers of mandarin
varieties, as indicated by the data on tangerine operations. However,
even if all Unshu orange imports from Korea were to directly replace
consumption of U.S.-grown tangerines in Alaska, the effect on U.S.
producers would be very minor. Under such a scenario, annual imports of
Unshu oranges from Korea of 2,000 metric tons (the upper limit of the
projected range of imports), would displace less than 1 percent of
fresh tangerines produced by U.S. operations in 2004-05. We emphasize
that even a small impact for U.S. producers such as this is highly
unlikely.
We expect that any product displacement that may occur as a result
of the proposed changes would be borne by other foreign suppliers of
Unshu oranges, in particular Japan's exporters. However, we do not
expect any significant product displacement as a result of Korean
supplies. Alaska's Unshu orange consumers may benefit to the extent
that the competition results in price declines. Based on the
information we have at this time, we expect the benefits of allowing
the importation of Unshu oranges from South Korea into Alaska would
outweigh any expected costs to domestic small entities. We welcome
public comment that would improve our understanding of possible effects
of the proposed rule for U.S. small entities.
[[Page 70334]]
An alternative to this proposed rule would be to continue with the
2002 administrative suspension of the importation of Unshu oranges from
Korea into all parts of the United States, including Alaska. Continuing
the suspension of Korean Unshu orange imports into Alaska is not a
satisfactory alternative to the proposed rule. Specified mitigation
measures would ensure a low risk of introduction of citrus canker and
Diaspidad scale into the United States. Resumption of imports would
reestablish competition with Japanese suppliers, benefitting U.S.
consumers but with little if any expected effect on U.S. producers.
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.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule would allow fresh Unshu oranges to be imported
into the United States from South Korea. If this proposed rule is
adopted, State and local laws and regulations regarding fresh Unshu
oranges imported under this rule would be preempted while the fruit is
in foreign commerce. Fresh fruits are generally imported for immediate
distribution and sale to the consuming public and would remain in
foreign commerce until sold to the ultimate consumer. The question of
when foreign commerce ceases in other cases must be addressed on a
case-by-case basis. If this proposed rule is adopted, no retroactive
effect will be given to this rule, and this rule will not require
administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court
challenging this rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with section 3507(d) of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information collection or
recordkeeping requirements included in this proposed rule have been
submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Please send written comments to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for APHIS, Washington,
DC 20503. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0133. Please send a copy of your comments to: (1) Docket No.
APHIS-2006-0133, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,
Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238,
and (2) Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, room 404-W, 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 amend the regulations governing the
importation of citrus fruit to allow fresh Unshu oranges from the
Republic of Korea to be imported into the State of Alaska under certain
conditions. As a condition of entry, the oranges would have to be
prepared for shipping using packinghouse procedures that include
culling of damaged or diseased fruit and washing in a water bath. In
addition, the oranges would have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary
certificate with an additional declaration stating that the oranges
were inspected and found free from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.citri and
Unaspis yanonensis. The individual cartons or boxes in which the Unshu
oranges are shipped would also have to be stamped or printed with a
statement restricting their importation and distribution to the State
of Alaska. This action would allow for the importation of Unshu oranges
from the Republic of Korea into Alaska while continuing to provide
protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.
APHIS is asking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve
its use of this information collection activity, associated with its
efforts to prevent the spread of plant pests and plant diseases into
the United States.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public
(as well as affected agencies) concerning this information collection
activity. APHIS needs this outside input to help accomplish the
following:
We are soliciting comments from the public (as well as affected
agencies) concerning our proposed information collection and
recordkeeping requirements. These comments will help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper performance of our agency's functions,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who
are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses).
Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.0056932 hours per response.
Respondents: Importers of Unshu Oranges, NPPO's.
Estimated annual number of respondents: 10.
Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 544.5.
Estimated annual number of responses: 5,445.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 31 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)
734-7477.
E-Government Act Compliance
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to
compliance with the E-Government 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 E-Government Act
compliance related to this proposed rule, please contact Mrs. Celeste
Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR 319
Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Imports, Logs, Nursery stock, Plant
diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Rice, Vegetables.
Accordingly, we propose to amend 7 CFR part 319 as follows:
PART 319--FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES
1. The authority citation for part 319 would continue to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
2. Section 319.28 would be amended as follows:
a. By redesignating paragraphs (c) through (i) as paragraphs (d)
through (j), respectively.
b. By adding a new paragraph (c) to read as set forth below.
c. By revising newly redesignated paragraph (f) to read as set
forth below.
Sec. 319.28 Notice of quarantine.
* * * * *
[[Page 70335]]
(c) The prohibition does not apply to Unshu oranges (Citrus
reticulata Blanco var. unshu, Swingle [Citrus unshiu Marcovitch,
Tanaka]), also known as Satsuma mandarin, grown in the Republic of
Korea and imported under permit into the State of Alaska under the
following conditions:
(1) The Unshu oranges must be prepared for shipping using
packinghouse procedures that include culling damaged or diseased fruit
and washing in a water bath.
(2) Each shipment of Unshu oranges must be accompanied by a
phytosanitary certificate from the national plant protection
organization of the Republic of Korea bearing the following additional
declaration: ``These oranges were inspected and are considered to be
free from citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri) and
arrowhead scale (Unaspis yanonensis).
(3) The individual boxes in which the oranges are shipped must be
stamped or printed with the following: ``These oranges may not be
shipped to any State other than Alaska.''
* * * * *
(f) Importations allowed in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of
this section shall be subject to the permit and other requirements
under the regulations in Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables Sec. Sec.
319.56 through 319.56-8).
* * * * *
Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of November 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20422 Filed 12-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P