New APHIS Certification Program for Imported Geraniums, Eggplant, Etc. (to Prevent Introduction of Potato Brown Rot)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an interim rule, effective May 24, 2004, establishing a new certification program for foreign production sites in countries where Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (potato brown rot) is known to occur that wish to export articles of Pelargonium spp. (e.g. geraniums) and/or Solanum spp. (e.g. eggplant, huckleberry) to the U.S.
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(Tuber bearing Solanum spp. (e.g. potatoes) are largely prohibited from entering the U.S. except for certain imports from parts of Canada.)
This interim rule amends a May 2003 interim rule already in effect, that requires that an additional declaration appear on the phytosanitary certificate accompanying certain articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. imported in to the U.S. This declaration must state that either: (1) the articles were produced in a production site that has been tested and found free of potato brown rot, or (2) potato brown rot is not known to occur in the country where the articles were produced.
Registration & Certification Requirements for Production Sites
The requirements of APHIS' new interim rule for production sites in countries where potato brown rot is known to occur are contained in revised 7 CFR 319.37-5(r)(3) and include (partial list):
The production site where the articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. intended for export to the U.S. are produced must be registered and certified by both APHIS and the country's national plant protection organization (NPPO).
Only those articles of Pelargonium spp. or Solanum spp. that have been tested with negative results for the presence of potato brown rot may be used in production and export.
Subject articles must be labeled with information indicating the production site from which they originated.
Certain Solanum spp. from Canada Exempt from May 2003 Interim Rule
APHIS' new interim rule also makes certain amendments to the May 2003 interim rule. Among other amendments, APHIS is now exempting from the earlier rule's additional declaration requirement articles of Solanum spp. from Canada.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/30/03 news, 03053015, for BP summary of APHIS' May 2003 interim rule.)
-written comments due by June 22, 2004
APHIS Contact - Wayne Burnett (301) 734-6799
APHIS Interim Rule (D/N 03-019-2, FR Pub 04/23/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9262.pdf