APHIS Amends Restrictions on Imports From Khapra Beetle Host Countries

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its khapra beetle regulations to update the products and countries for which importation is prohibited to prevent spread of the grain pest, in an interim final rule that takes effect Dec. 29 (here). Changes include the addition of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, South Sudan, and the West Bank to the areas where the khapra beetle is present, and the removal of the list of affected countries from the regulations to the APHIS website (here). The interim final rule makes changes to prohibited products, including expanding restrictions on importation of goatskins, lambskins and sheepskins to all affected countries, and removing a blanket restriction on importation of brassware and wooden screens from Bombay, India. It also restricts importation of whole chilies, whole red peppers, and cumin seeds in jute or burlap bags from all affected countries. Comments on the interim final rule are due Feb. 27.