APHIS Provides Information on PPQ Export-Related Services and Procedures
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice providing information on the services and procedures of APHIS's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program concerning, among other things, PPQ's role in facilitating the export of plants and plant products from the U.S.
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Requirements of Destination Country for Plants and Plant Products
According to APHIS, PPQ can provide certain technical services to help businesses and individuals successfully export live plants or plant products. Although U.S. producers do not need to apply to PPQ or obtain permission from PPQ to export plants or plant products, they must meet the plant quarantine requirements of the destination country. When required, PPQ certifies that shipments meet these requirements.
PPQ also provides Federal phytosanitary certificates (FPCs) which most destination countries require for most agricultural commodities. FPCs certify that a plant or plant product has been handled, processed and inspected in the manner required by a foreign government to mitigate the risk associated with certain pests. PPQ is responsible for issuing FPCs, which can only be obtained from a designated Authorized Certification Official (ACO).
Procedures for Exporting Plants or Plant Products
APHIS outlines the procedures for prospective exporters seeking to export live plants or plant products as follows:
Initial Contact. Prospective exporters seeking to export live plants or plant products should first contact their local State agriculture or PPQ office. These offices are listed in telephone directories in the blue government pages. The issuing office will use EXCERPT, a computerized compilation of the phytosanitary requirements for most countries to which the U.S. exports agricultural products, and inform the prospective exporter of the country's requirements.
If the commodity is allowed (an enterable product), the prospective exporter must request the services of an inspector by submitting a written application (PPQ Form 572). Phytosanitary certification is based, at a minimum, on a physical inspection of the consignment. Therefore, exporters must apply for an FPC in advance of shipping.
Processing FPCs for Enterable Products. According to APHIS, while PPQ will work with the prospective exporter to meet the importing country's requirements, it is the responsibility of the exporter to comply. PPQ may also suggest how the exporter can grow, process, or package the product to meet compliance.
The prospective exporter must also be prepared to supply certain information to the local State agriculture or PPQ office, including names, addresses, and phone numbers of the exporter and/or applicant, detailed information about the commodity proposed to be exported, and shipping information.
Processing Petitions for Currently Restricted or Prohibited Products. If the commodity being exported is currently restricted or prohibited, etc., PPQ accepts requests to petition U.S. trading partners of foreign countries on behalf of U.S. exporters. An export petition is categorized by PPQ's determination of whether the petition is to open a market, expand a market, or retain a market. Petitions for currently restricted or prohibited commodities are considered to be petitions to open a market, and PPQ will work with the petitioner to open that market. The bulk of petitions are petitions to retain or expand a market. If a foreign country allows a commodity from the U.S., but it is restricted, PPQ will work to expand the market. If the exporter cannot meet the foreign country's requirements, PPQ will work with the exporter and the foreign country to develop acceptable alternatives.
PPQ will also work with the exporter and the foreign country, in cases where the exporter may decide they want to pursue exportation only if the requirements are less restrictive, to identify less restrictive measures to safeguard the country's agricultural health interests.
Completing Work on an Export Petition. PPQ considers work on an export petition completed only if the requested export takes place or the prospective exporter withdraws his/her petition. APHIS also notes that there are certain barriers to export that it cannot resolve.
(See APHIS notice for information on PPQ's role in international agreements and standards and retaining market access.)
APHIS Contact - Nancy Klag (301) 734-8262
APHIS Notice (D/N APHIS-2006-0090, FR Pub 06/29/06) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/03jul20061030/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5799.pdf