Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend the regulations concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables to allow the importation of fresh shepherd’s purse with roots from the Republic of Korea into the U.S. under a combination of mitigations to reduce the risk of introducing plant pests, under certain conditions. Comments are due by December 13, 2010.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental U.S. of fresh strawberries from Jordan. Based on this analysis, APHIS believes that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds. Comments are due by December 13, 2010.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective November 12, 2010, which amends the regulations concerning the importation of citrus fruit to remove certain restrictions on the importation of Unshu oranges from the Republic of Korea that are no longer necessary, which includes removing requirements for the fruit to be grown in specified canker-free export areas and for joint inspection in the groves and packinghouses by the Government of Korea and APHIS.
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its CITES I-II-III Timber Species Manual. This Manual provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Plant, Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) personnel with guidelines for the import, re-export, violation, seizure, and forfeiture of CITES Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III protected timber species.
On October 5, 2010, APHIS updated its CITES I-II-III Timber Species Manual. This Manual provides CBP and PPQ personnel with guidelines for the import, re-export, violation, seizure, and forfeiture of CITES Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III protected timber species.
On October 5, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo.
On October 1, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual. This Manual summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation.
On October 1, 2010, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries.