[Federal Register: July 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 43676-43683]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy08-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0063]
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 the international standard-
setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, 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 either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0063 to submit or view comments and
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0063, 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-2008-0063.
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: For general information on the topics
covered in this notice, contact Mr. John Greifer, Associate Deputy
Administrator for SPS Management, 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 World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David,
Director, Sanitary International Standards Team, National Center for
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231; (301) 734-5324.
For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities
of the International Plant Protection Convention or the North American
Plant Protection Organization, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga, Program
Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-0763.
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 World Organization for Animal Health (OIE,
formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) 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 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
[[Page 43677]]
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 172 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 these 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 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 are then presented to the
OIE International Committee (all the Member countries) during the
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 24-29, 2009, in
Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator of APHIS Veterinary
Services is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. The Deputy
Administrator of APHIS intends to participate in the proceedings and
will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standard up for
adoption. Information about OIE draft Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal
Health Code chapters may be found on the Internet at http://
www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/oie/ or by contacting Dr.
Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices Adopted by
the May 2008 General Session
Note: Proposed appendices and chapters not yet assigned by
number have been designated an ``x'' as a temporary placeholder by
the OIE.)
1. Chapter 1.1.1, General Definitions
Various definitions were modified and updated, including the
definitions for ``animal welfare,'' ``infection,'' ``herd,'' ``flock,''
``monitoring,'' and ``surveillance.''
2. Chapter 1.2.1, General Obligations
The text in this chapter was modified to provide additional clarity
regarding its content.
3. Chapter 1.3.5, Zoning and Compartmentalization
Minor changes were made to this chapter.
4. Chapter 2.2.10, Foot and Mouth Disease
Guidelines for quicker recovery of status after an outbreak, and
the concept of ``containment zone'' were amended this year. In
addition, a minor clarification to the definition of ``buffer zone''
was made.
5. Chapter 2.3.3, Bovine Tuberculosis
This chapter has undergone a revision to reflect current
understanding of the disease.
6. Chapter 2.3.13, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
This chapter received further modifications this year. In
particular, restrictions on gelatin manufactured from certain bones
(vertebrae and skulls) sourced from countries classified as either
``controlled'' or ``undetermined'' risk for BSE were increased.
7. Appendix 3.8.5, Factors To Consider in Conducting the Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy Risk Assessment Recommended in Chapter 2.3.13
This appendix was revised by removing any reference to other
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
8. Section 2.5, Equine Diseases
The following equine Code chapters received further updates:
Chapter 2.5.5, Equine influenza; Chapter 2.5.7, Equine
rhinopneumonitis; Chapter 2.5.10, Equine viral arteritis; and Chapter
2.5.14, African horse sickness.
9. Chapter 2.7.12, Avian Influenza
No significant changes were made to the content of this chapter;
however, the Code Commission has asked the Scientific Commission to
review the scientific literature to improve the current provisions for
the inactivation of avian influenza virus in poultry meat and eggs and
in poultry products intended for animal feeding or for agricultural
use.
10. Chapter 2.7.13, Newcastle Disease
The chapter on Newcastle disease is modeled after the chapter on
avian influenza. The definition of Newcastle
[[Page 43678]]
disease was clarified for Member countries regarding what is
reportable.
11. Appendix 3.7.2, Guidelines for the Transport of Animals by Sea;
Appendix 3.7.3, Guidelines for the Transport of Animals by Land;
Appendix 3.7.5, Guidelines for the Slaughter of Animals; and Appendix
3.7.6, Guidelines for the Killing of Animals for Disease Control
Purposes
As in previous years, these guidelines were slightly updated.
12. Appendix x.x.x, Guidelines on Dog Population Control
The draft guidelines on stray dog control have undergone a second
revision and are likely to undergo further revisions in the coming
years.
13. Appendix x.x.x, Animal Identification and Traceability
This draft appendix has been further modified to provide Member
countries with some general guidelines to consider when designing and
implementing an animal identification system.
OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices for Future
Review
Existing Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapters that may be
revised and new chapters that may be drafted in preparation for the
next General Session in 2009 include the following:
1. Chapter 2.2.x, West Nile Fever
Due to the number of comments received this year, the Code
Commission will address changes to this chapter for the next session in
May 2009.
2. Chapter 2.3.1, Bovine Brucellosis
3. Chapter 2.3.15, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia
4. Chapter 2.4.8, Scrapie
5. Chapter 2.10.2, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in
Poultry
6. Appendix 3.4.1, Hygiene and Disease Security Guidelines in Poultry
Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries
7. Appendix 3.10.2, Guidelines on the Detection, Control, and
Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in
Poultry Producing Eggs for Human Consumption
8. Appendix x.x.x, Guidelines for the Control of Hazards of Animal
Health and Public Health Importance in Animal Feed
9. Appendix x.x.x, Guidelines for the Harvesting and Culling of
Wildlife
10. Appendix x.x.x, Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Welfare
OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices up for Adoption
Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters and appendices that have been
revised or which are new for adoption at the 2009 General Session
include:
Chapter 1.1.1, Definitions; Chapter 1.2.3, Diseases listed by the
OIE; Chapter 1.3.1, General obligations; Chapter 2.2.5, Infection with
Mikrocytos mackini; Chapter 2.3.9, Infectious myonecrosis; Chapter
2.3.11, White Tail disease; Chapter 2.4.1, Infection with
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Chapter 2.4.2, Infection with
ranavirus; Chapter x.x.x, Guidelines for aquatic animal health
surveillance; and Chapter x.x.x., Guidelines for the control of aquatic
animal health hazards in aquatic animal feeds.
OIE Aquatic Animal Commission Future Work Program
During the next few years, the OIE Aquatic Animal Commission may
address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of experts to
update or develop standards for the following issues:
1. Guidelines on the handling and disposal of carcasses and wastes
of aquatic animals.
2. Chapter 2.3.7, Crayfish plague.
The Process
The OIE Code chapters are drafted (or revised) by either the
Terrestrial or Aquatic Animal Health Standards 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 is revised, the chapter is
distributed to Member countries for review and comment. The OIE
attempts to provide proposed chapters by late October to allow Member
countries sufficient time for comment. Comments are due by late January
of the following 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, other State and Federal
agencies, 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 and comment on proposed
standards, and make decisions regarding the adoption of those
standards, strictly on their scientific merits.
Other OIE Topics
Every year at the General Session, at least one technical item is
presented. For the May 2009 General Session, the following technical
item will be presented:
1. Impact of climate change and environmental changes on emerging
and re-emerging animal diseases and animal production.
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 2009,
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
[[Page 43679]]
(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 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 under the authority of the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), and the members of the Secretariat of the IPPC are
appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is implemented by national plant
protection organizations (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant
protection organizations (RPPOs); the Commission on Phytosanitary
Measures ((CPM), formerly referred to as the International 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
entered into force after two-thirds of the contracting parties notified
the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the amendment in
October 2005. 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 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 a
standardized format on a 2-year cycle. Alternatively, the Secretariat
can propose a new standard or amendments to existing standards.
Step 2: After review by the Standards Committee and the Strategic
Planning and Technical Assistance Working Group, a summary of proposals
is submitted by the Secretariat to the CPM. The CPM identifies the
topics and priorities for standard setting from among the proposals
submitted to the Secretariat and others that may be raised by the CPM.
Step 3: Specifications for the standards identified as priorities
by the CPM are drafted by the Standards Committee. The draft
specifications 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 CPM for
adoption.
Step 7: The ISPM is established through formal adoption by the CPM
according to Rule X of the Rules of Procedure of the CPM.
Step 8: Review of the ISPM is completed by the specified date or
such other date as may be agreed upon by the CPM.
Each member country is represented on the CPM by a single delegate.
Although experts and advisors may accompany the delegate to meetings of
the CPM, 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 CPM 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. The United States also has a representative on the Standards
Committee. 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.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/draft_
standards_4_ comment.shtml. Interested individuals may review the
standards posted on this Web site and submit comments via the Web site.
The next CPM meeting is scheduled for March 30-April 3, 2009, at
FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS'
PPQ program is the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy Administrator
intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment
on APHIS' position on any standards up for adoption. The agenda for the
Fourth Session of the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures is as
follows:
1. Opening of the session
2. Adoption of the agenda
3. Election of the Rapporteur
4. Report by the CPM chairperson
5. Report by the Secretariat
6. Report of the technical consultation among RPPOs
7. Report of observer organizations
8. Goal 1: A robust international standard-setting and implementation
programme
8.1 Report by the chairperson of the
[[Page 43680]]
Standards Committee
8.2 Adoption of international standards--under the regular process
8.3 Adoption of international standards--under the special-track
process
8.4 IPPC standard-setting work programme (with proposed
adjustments)
9. Goal 2: Information exchange systems appropriate to meet IPPC
obligations
9.1 Proposed work programme for 2009
10. Goal 3: Effective dispute settlement systems
10.1 Report of the chairperson of the Subsidiary Body on Dispute
Settlement
11. Goal 4: Improved phytosanitary capacity of members
12. Goal 5: Sustainable implementation of the IPPC
12.1 Report of the third meeting of the Strategic Planning and
Technical Assistance (SPTA) group
12.2 IPPC/CPM activities
12.2.1 State of membership to the IPPC
12.2.2 Acceptance of documents in electronic format
12.3 Update to the Business Plan 2008-2011
12.4 Financial report and budget
12.4.1 Financial report 2008
12.4.2 Financial report 2008 for the Trust Fund for the IPPC
12.4.3 CPM Operational Plan for 2009
12.4.4 Budget 2009 for the Trust Fund for the IPPC
12.5 Proposal for the adoption of CPM recommendations
13. Goal 6: International promotion of the IPPC and cooperation with
relevant regional and international organizations
13.1 Report on the international promotion of the IPPC and
cooperation with relevant regional and international organizations
14. Goal 7: Review of the status of plant protection in the world
15. Election of the Bureau
16. Membership of CPM subsidiary bodies
17. Calendar
18. Other business
19. Date and venue of the next meeting
20. Adoption of the report
IPPC Standards Adopted at the CPM-3 Session in 2008
1. Establishment of Areas of Low Pest Prevalence for Fruit Flies
(Tephritidae)
This standard provides guidelines for the establishment and
maintenance of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies of economic
importance (including places and sites of production of low pest
prevalence) for use as a risk mitigation measure to facilitate trade of
fruits and vegetables. The decision to create a fruit fly area of low
pest prevalence (FF-ALPP) for export of a particular host of fruit fly
is closely linked to trade opportunities and to economic and
operational feasibility.
2. Sampling of Consignments
This standard provides guidance to NPPOs in selecting appropriate
sampling methodologies for inspection or testing of consignments to
verify compliance with phytosanitary requirements. The standard
provides a statistical basis for inspection of consignments of
regulated articles moving in trade.
3. Amendments to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms)
A. The following term and definition has been adopted to the
Glossary of phytosanitary terms in ISPM No. 5:
Bark: The layer of a woody trunk, branch or root outside
the cambium.
B. The following terms and definitions have been revised in the
Glossary:
Bark-free wood: Wood from which all bark, except ingrown
bark around knots and bark pockets between rings of annual growth, has
been removed.
Debarked wood: Wood that has been subjected to any process
that results in the removal of bark (debarked wood is not necessarily
bark-free wood).
C. The following terms have been deleted from the Glossary:
Authority
Biological pesticide (biopesticide)
Classical biological control
Establishment (of a biological control agent)
Exotic
Import Permit (of a biological control agent)
Introduction (of a biological agent)
Micro-organism
Specificity
4. IPPC ISPM Recommendation No. 1: National Strategies for Replacing or
Reducing the Use of Methyl Bromide as a Phytosanitary Measure
IPPC Recommendation No. 1 provides guidance to NPPOs on the
replacement of or reduction in the use of methyl bromide (MB) as a
phytosanitary measure in order to reduce emissions of MB. With the
overall aim of reducing release of MB into the atmosphere, NPPOs may
consider methods of reducing the quantities of MB used, reducing MB
emissions by physical means, and promoting and implementing
phytosanitary measures that are economically and technically feasible
as viable alternatives to the use of MB. This IPPC Recommendation also
provides guidance on recording the use of MB and encourages NPPOs to
share data with the country's National Ozone Unit (the national body
responsible for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol).
IPPC Standards Up for Adoption in 2009
It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently
developed to be considered by the CPM for adoption at its 2009 meeting.
The United States, represented by APHIS' Deputy Administrator for PPQ,
will participate in consideration of these standards. The U.S. position
on each of these issues will be developed prior to the CPM session and
will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from other U.S.
Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from
interested stakeholders.
1. Structure and Operation of Post-Entry Quarantine Facilities
This standard describes general guidelines for the design and
operation of post-entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities for holding
consignments of plants in containment. Four levels of containment are
specified. For all PEQ containment levels, an operating procedures
manual should show how the PEQ facility meets the containment
requirements.
2. Pest-Free Potato Micropropagative Material and Minitubers for
International Trade
This standard will provide guidance on the production, maintenance,
and certification of pest-free potato (Solanum spp.) micropropagative
material and minitubers intended to be moved in international trade.
This standard does not apply to movement of field-grown seed potatoes
intended for consumption or processing.
3. Categorization of Commodities According to Their Phytosanitary Risk
This standard will provide guidance for contracting parties on how
to categorize commodities according to their phytosanitary risk when
considering import requirements. This categorization could be useful in
identifying whether further analysis is required.
The first stage of categorization is based on whether the commodity
has been processed and, if so, the method and degree of processing to
which the commodity has been subjected before
[[Page 43681]]
export. A second stage of categorization of commodities is based on
their intended use after import.
Contaminating pests or storage pests that may become associated
with the commodity after processing are not considered in this
standard.
4. Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade: Revision
of ISPM No. 15
This standard describes phytosanitary measures that reduce the risk
of introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests associated with the
movement in international trade of wood packaging material made from
raw wood. Wood packaging material covered by this standard includes
dunnage but excludes wood packaging made from wood processed in such a
way that it is free from pests.
Measures described in this standard are not intended to provide
ongoing protection from contaminating pests or other organisms.
5. Amendments to ISPM No. 5 (Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms):
A. The following terms and definitions will be proposed for
addition to the Glossary of phytosanitary terms in ISPM No. 5:
Incidence (of a pest): Proportion or number of units in a
sample, consignment, field or other defined population that is affected
by a pest.
Tolerance level (of a pest): Incidence of a pest that is a
threshold for action to control that pest or to prevent its spread or
introduction.
Phytosanitary security (of a consignment): Maintenance of
the integrity of a consignment and prevention of its infestation and
contamination by regulated pests through the application of appropriate
phytosanitary measures.
Corrective action plan (in an area): Documented plan of
phytosanitary actions to be implemented if a pest is detected or a
specified pest level is exceeded in an area officially delimited for
phytosanitary purposes.
B. The following terms will be proposed for revision:
Compliance procedure (for a consignment): Official
procedure used to verify that a consignment complies with phytosanitary
import requirements or phytosanitary measures related to transit.
Intended use: Declared purpose for which plants, plant
products, or other articles are imported, produced, or used.
Reference specimen: Specimen (which may be a culture) from
a population of a specific organism conserved in an accessible
collection, for the purpose of identification, verification or
comparison.
6. Terminology of the Convention of Biological Diversity in Relation to
the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms: Draft Supplement to ISPM No. 5
(Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms)
In order to address initiatives within the IPPC regarding the
protection of the environment and of biological diversity in relation
to the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species, relevant
terminology concerning the environment and biological diversity for use
in ISPMs is needed. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has
proposed a number of such terms and definitions in the framework of its
``guiding principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of
impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or
species.'' Attempts to incorporate these terms into IPPC language for
the Glossary have proven unsuccessful due to conceptual differences,
therefore the CBD's terms are explained in this supplement.
7. Fruit Fly Trapping: Annex 1 to ISPM No. 26 (Establishment of Pest
Free Areas for Fruit Flies (Tephritidae))
This annex provides detailed information for trapping surveys under
different scenarios of pest population and control situations for
different fruit fly species (Tephritidae) of economic importance.
Different trapping systems and procedures should be used depending on
the fruit fly status of the target area, which can be either an
infested area, an area of low pest prevalence (ALPP), or a pest-free
area (PFA). The information in this annex can therefore be applied to
other ISPMs relating to fruit flies. The annex describes the most
widely used trapping systems and procedures, although others are
available that may obtain equivalent results for fruit fly surveys.
New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development
A number of expert working group meetings or other technical
consultations will take place during 2008 and 2009 on the topics listed
below. These standard-setting initiatives are under development and may
be considered for future adoption. 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. Preclearance for Regulated Articles
This standard will provide guidance on the justification,
establishment, reviewing, phasing out, and terminating of pre-clearance
arrangements and offer a model framework for pre-clearance programs
(where justified), including criteria for terminating pre-clearance
arrangements in favor of other phytosanitary measures.
2. Systems Approach(es) for Pest Risk Management of Fruit Flies
(Tephritidae)
This standard will provide guidelines for the establishment and use
of systems approach(es) as an option for pest risk management of fruit
flies to facilitate trade of fruits. The standard applies to fruit
flies (Tephritidae) of economic importance.
3. Systems Approach for Managing Pest Risks Associated With the
International Trade of Plants for Planting
This standard will provide guidelines for the development and
evaluation of a systems approach as an option for pest risk management
of the production and international movement of plants for planting
(excluding seeds) in commercial trade.
4. International Movement of Wood
This standard will provide guidelines for risk management for raw
(green) and treated wood and wood products moving in international
trade through the application of phytosanitary measures. The standard
will not apply to wood packaging material, which would remain wholly
within the scope of ISPM No. 15.
5. Soil and Growing Media
This standard will provide guidance for the evaluation of risks
associated with soil and growing media and describe phytosanitary
integrated measures in a systems approach to manage the hazards of soil
attached to imported plants from the country of origin upon arrival.
6. Revision of ISPMs 7 (Export Certification System) and 12 (Guidelines
for Phytosanitary Certificates)
Existing ISPMs No. 7 and 12 have been reviewed for amendment to
provide specific guidance on the procedures, which cover technical,
legal, administrative and operational aspects, including export issues
related to re-export and consignment in transit.
[[Page 43682]]
7. New Diagnostic Protocols in Draft Form
The following diagnostic protocols have been developed by the
Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols and are in draft form: Erwinia
amylovora; Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri; Liberibacter spp.;
Xanthomonas fragariae; Phytophthora ramorum; Anastrepha spp.;
Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; Ditylenchus destructor/D. dipsaci; Plum pox
virus; and Topoviruses (TSWV, INSV, WSMV).
For more detailed information on the above topics, which will be
addressed by various working groups established by the CPM, contact Ms.
Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
APHIS posts draft standards on the Internet (http://
www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/draft_
standards_4_comment.shtml) as they become available and provides
information on the due dates for comments. Additional information on
IPPC standards is available on the IPPC 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 Ms. Julie Aliaga (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 Ms. Aliaga.
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/import_export/plants/plant_exports/draft_
standards_4_comment.shtml. 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 21-24, 2008, in
Guadalajara, Mexico. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting will take
place on October 20, 2008, and a session will be held on October 21,
2008, to solicit comments from industry groups so that suggestions can
be incorporated into the NAPPO workplan for the 2009 NAPPO year. The
Associate Deputy Administrator for PPQ is a member of the NAPPO
Executive Committee. The Associate 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 2008 was established after the October 2007
Annual Meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The Associate
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 Ms. Julie E.
Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
1. Accreditation Panel
The panel conducted an in-depth audit of the Mexican system to
comply with RSPM No. 8 (The Accreditation of Individuals to Sign
Federal Phytosanitary Certificates). It will develop a regional
phytosanitary standard on authorization to perform other phytosanitary
procedures (e.g., inspection, testing, and treatments).
2. Biological Control Panel
The panel will develop a list of approved biological control agents
for importation into NAPPO countries and has developed guidelines for
the importation and release of non-Apis pollinating insects into NAPPO
countries.
3. Biotechnology Panel
The panel will revise RSPM 14 (Importation and Release into the
Environment of Transgenic Plants in NAPPO Member Countries) by
consolidating Modules 1-3 into a single standard that provides clear
guidance on risk assessment for transgenic plants for any intended use
(e.g., movement, confined release, unconfined release, and non-
propagative use). It will develop a discussion paper on emerging issues
related to transgenic products that could pose a risk to plant health
(e.g., pharmaceutical plants or trees, or other perennials) and
determine the feasibility of developing regional standards.
4. Citrus Panel
The panel convened a NAPPO workshop on Citrus Greening
(Huanglongbing disease) in May 2008, and invited the participation of
regional and international experts to exchange the latest research and
regulatory information. The panel has revised RSPM 16 (Guidelines for
the Importation of Citrus Propagative Material into a NAPPO Member
Country), and updated annexes.
5. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Panel
The panel will exchange information as NPPOs of NAPPO countries
complete their systems (e.g., security, documentation) to receive
electronic phytosanitary certificate information; participate in other
international fora on electronic certification (e.g., UN-CEFACT, IPPC,
etc.); and initiate the pilot project for electronic phytosanitary
certification within the NAPPO region.
6. Forestry Panel
The panel has drafted a NAPPO standard on preventing the entry of
Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) into North America; will develop a NAPPO
strategy for dealing with ongoing problems related to wood packaging
that does not comply with ISPM No. 15 (Guidelines for regulating wood
packaging material in international trade); develop a harmonized report
of wood packaging compliance to post on the NAPPO Web site; and
determine the need to establish a NAPPO standard for the regulatory
[[Page 43683]]
control of wooden handcrafts and outdoor furniture.
7. Fruit Panel
This panel has developed a NAPPO standard on determination and
designation of host status of a commodity for fruit flies; will develop
guidelines to determine the host range and adaptability of Rhagoletis
spp. in the NAPPO region; prepare a specific case study to apply ISPM
No. 10 (Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of
production and pest free production sites); provide training on PCR
techniques for identification of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis
capitata; provide training on identification of Bactrocera spp. using
classical systematics (morphological characters); and evaluate and
recommend NAPPO diagnostic protocols and treatments.
8. Fruit Tree Panel
The panel will review the text of RSPM No. 25 (Guidelines for
International Movement of Pome and Stone Fruit Trees into a NAPPO
Member Country) and make any necessary changes to accommodate
bacterial, fungal, insect and nematode pests; complete the insect and
nematode annexes to RSPM No. 25; collaborate with the Grapevine Panel
to develop a proposal for a diagnostic workshop on fruit tree and
grapevine pests; and evaluate and recommend NAPPO diagnostic protocols
and treatments.
9. Grains Panel
The panel has developed a strategic plan for NAPPO countries to
prepare for the potential arrival of new races of black stem rust,
e.g., Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici race TTKS, in accordance with
the framework developed in 2006/2007 and the pest fact sheet prepared
by the NAPPO Pest Risk Analysis Panel; and will evaluate and recommend
NAPPO diagnostic protocols and treatments.
10. Grapevine Panel
The panel will complete the annexes concerning bacteria, fungi, and
significant arthropod and nematode pests of grapevines for RSPM No. 15
(Guidelines for the Importation of Grapevines into a NAPPO Member
Country); review and make required changes to the annex on viruses in
RSPM No. 15; develop, in collaboration with the Fruit Tree Panel, a
proposal for a diagnostic workshop on fruit tree and grapevine pests;
and evaluate and recommend NAPPO diagnostic protocols and treatments.
11. Invasive Species Panel
The panel will complete the position paper describing NAPPO's role
regarding invasive species; has developed the NAPPO standard for
evaluating the invasiveness of plants for planting (screening tool) and
the NAPPO standard for identifying and prioritizing pest introduction
pathways (pathway analysis); and will continue outreach efforts to
other national and international organizations in North America,
particularly those related to the environment.
12. Pest Risk Analysis Panel
This panel will develop a NAPPO fact sheet on P. ramorum; collate a
list of information requirements in order to conduct a NAPPO Pest Risk
Assessment (PRA) on the AGM (Lymantria dispar); conduct a NAPPO PRA on
AGM in collaboration with the NAPPO Forestry Panel; provide support, as
required, to the Grains Panel to develop a strategic plan to deal with
new races of black stem rust (Puccinia graminis) in North America;
provide support, as required, to the Fruit Panel to develop guidelines
to determine the host range and adaptability of Rhagoletis spp. in the
NAPPO region; and participate in the NAPPO Citrus Greening
(Huanglongbing disease) workshop.
13. Phytosanitary Alert System Panel
The panel will continue to post timely pest alerts on the NAPPO Web
site; determine ways to improve official pest reporting through the
Phytosanitary Alert System (template, linkages, etc.); continue
outreach efforts (including the NAPPO newsletter); and conduct an
ongoing review of the Phytosanitary Alert Web page.
14. Plants for Planting
The panel will identify the constraints and recommend solutions for
the implementation of RSPM No. 24 (Integrated Pest Risk Management
Measures for the Importation of Plants for Planting in NAPPO Member
Countries); draft guidelines, in collaboration with the NAPPO
Accreditation Panel, for the authorization of auditors involved in the
implementation of RSPM No. 24; review the use of terms (e.g.,
certification, authorization) for consistency with the IPPC and ISPMs;
and participate in IPPC activities related to the international
standard on plants for planting.
15. Potato Panel
This panel will identify requirements for recognition of pest-free
areas, pest-free places of production and pest-free production sites
for Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis; conduct the required five-
year review of RSPM No. 3 (Requirements for the Importation of Potatoes
into a NAPPO Member Country); determine the accuracy of RSPM No. 3,
Annex 5 (Pre-shipment Testing for PVYn), based on the current knowledge
of the North American PVY complex; collaborate with the European PPO on
harmonizing requirements for mini-tuber, micro-tuber, and mini-plantlet
production; and evaluate and recommend NAPPO diagnostic protocols and
treatments.
16. Standards Panel
The panel will coordinate the review of new and amended NAPPO
standards and implementation plans; exchange and discuss comments on
draft ISPMs within NAPPO and with other RPPOs to build consensus on
draft ISPMs and other IPPC-related issues, as appropriate; review draft
RSPMs prepared by panels and make recommendations on their suitability
for adoption by the Executive Committee; and review NAPPO position
papers and policy documents to verify current relevance.
The PPQ Associate 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 contains 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, go to the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at http://
www.nappo.org or contact Ms. Julie Aliaga (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 Ms. Aliaga. 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 Ms. Aliaga.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of July 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17216 Filed 7-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P