APHIS Revises Certification Program for Imported Geraniums, Eggplant, Etc. (to Prevent Introduction of Potato Brown Rot)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, which adopts, with changes, an April 2004 interim rule that established a 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.)
Specifically, this final rule, which is effective October 24, 2005, amends certain regulations in the interim rule by:
- modifying certain requirements of the certification program in order to make them clearer and more flexible (with respect to negative tests for subject articles used in production and export; requirements for greenhouses vs. production sites, etc.),
- providing for the establishment of areas that are free of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R. solanacearum R3B2) within countries where the bacterium is known to occur, and
- exempting imported seeds of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. from all requirements related to R. solanacearum R3B2.
(APHIS explains that the interim rule prohibited the importation of articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. from countries where R. solanacearum R3B2 is known to occur unless the articles are produced in accordance with the certification program. APHIS adds that the certification program is designed to ensure that this bacterium will not be introduced into the U.S. through the import of such articles.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/30/04 news, 04043025, for BP summary of the April 2004 interim rule.)
APHIS Contact - Jeanne Van Dersal (301) 734-6653
APHIS Final Rule (D/N 03-019-3, FR Pub 10/24/05) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-21168.pdf