APHIS' ANPR Seeks Comments on Possible Changes to Nursery Stock Import Regulations
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) seeking comments by March 10, 2005 on whether and how it should amend the regulations in 7 CFR Part 319 that govern the importation of nursery stock (also known as "plants for planting").
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Possible Changes Include Reevaluation of Currently Prohibited Plants, Etc.
APHIS states that under the current regulations, all plants for planting are allowed to enter the U.S. if they are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and if they are inspected and found to be free of plant pests, unless their importation is specifically prohibited or further restricted by the regulations.
According to APHIS, it is considering several possible changes to this approach, including: (i) establishing a category in the regulations for plants for planting that would be excluded from importation pending risk evaluation and approval; (ii) developing ongoing programs to reduce the risk of entry and establishment of quarantine pests via imported plants for planting; (iii) combining existing regulations governing the importation of plants for planting into one subpart; and (iv) reevaluating the risks posed by importation of plants for planting whose importation is currently prohibited.
APHIS is also considering how to best collect data on current imports of plants for planting so that it can accurately ascertain the volume, type, and origin of such plants entering the U.S.
- written comments must be received on or before March 10, 2005
APHIS contact - Dr. Arnold Tschanz (301) 734-5306
APHIS' ANPR (D/N 03-069-1, FR Pub 12/10/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-27139.pdf