APHIS Issues Final Rule on Requirements for Requests to Amend Plant Import Regulations
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 29, 2006, which establishes regulations to govern the submission of requests for changes in 7 CFR Part 319 which prohibits or restricts the importation of certain plants, plant parts, and plant products into the U.S.
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APHIS states that it has issued this final rule because, despite existing non-regulatory guidance on the submission of requests, few applicants provide the basic information required to properly consider such requests.
APHIS expects that adoption of this final rule will help ensure that it is provided with the information needed to prepare a risk analysis and/or other analyses that evaluate the risks and other effects associated with a proposed change to the regulations.
Fruits, vegetables, cotton, logs, lumber, etc. may be affected. Commodities in 7 CFR 319 that will potentially be affected by the rule are: fruits and vegetables, cotton, logs and lumber, nursery stock (planted in media), sugarcane, corn, rice, wheat, coffee, packing material, and cut flowers.
Final rule adds a new 319.5 to 7 CFR.APHIS' final rule adds a new 319.5 to 7 CFR that details the requirements for submitting requests to change the regulations in 7 CFR 319. This new section provides for: (a) definitions, (b) procedures for submitting requests and supporting information, (c) addresses to where certain information would have to be sent, and (d) information that would have to be provided to APHIS in order for APHIS to consider a request to change the regulations in 7 CFR 319.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/17/04 news, 04111735, for BP summary of APHIS' proposed rule.)
APHIS contact - Robert Griffin (919) 855-7400
APHIS Final Rule (D/N 02-132-2, FR Pub 05/30/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-8238.pdf