From: Subject: FR Doc E8-19093 Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:12:59 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-19093.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 FR Doc E8-19093 
[Federal Register: August 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number =
160)]
[Notices]              =20
[Page 48189-48190]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au08-23]                        =20

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0084]

=20
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for Importation of=20
Fresh White Asparagus From Senegal Into the Continental United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk=20
analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into=20
the continental United States of fresh white asparagus from Senegal.=20
Based on that analysis, we believe that the application of one or more=20
designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the=20
risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via=20
the importation of fresh white asparagus from Senegal. We are making=20
the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before=20
October 17, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://frwebga=
te.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlin=
klog&to=3Dhttp://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=3D=
DocketDetail%26d=3DAPHIS-2008-0084 to submit or view comments and=20
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of=20
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2008-0084, Regulatory Analysis and=20
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118,=20
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to=20
Docket No. APHIS-2008-0084.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this=20
docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of=20
the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW.,=20
Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,=20
Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to=20
help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its=20
programs is available on the Internet at http://frw=
ebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3D=
linklog&to=3Dhttp://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Shirley Wager Pag[eacute], Branch=20
Chief, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River=20
Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8758.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR=20
319.56 through 319.56-47, referred to below as the regulations), the=20
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S.=20
Department of Agriculture prohibits or restricts the importation of=20
fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the=20
world to prevent plant pests from being introduced into and spread=20
within the United States.
    Section 319.56-4 contains a performance-based process for approving=20
the importation of commodities that, based on the findings of a pest=20
risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of the=20
designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that=20
section. These measures are:
     The fruits or vegetables are subject to inspection upon=20
arrival in the United States and comply with all applicable provisions=20
of Sec.  319.56-3;
     The fruits or vegetables are imported from a pest-free=20
area in the country of origin that meets the requirements of Sec. =20
319.56-5 for freedom from that pest and are accompanied by a=20
phytosanitary certificate stating that the fruits or vegetables=20
originated in a pest-free area in the country of origin;
     The fruits or vegetables are treated in accordance with 7=20
CFR part 305;
     The fruits or vegetables are inspected in the country of=20
origin by an inspector or an official of the national plant protection=20
organization of the exporting country, and have been found free of one=20
or more specific quarantine pests identified by the risk analysis as=20
likely to follow the import pathway; and/or
     The fruits or vegetables are a commercial consignment.
    APHIS received a request from the Government of Senegal to allow=20
the importation of fresh asparagus from Senegal into the continental=20
United States. We have completed a pest risk assessment to identify=20
pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of=20
importation into the United States and, based on that pest risk=20
assessment, have prepared a risk management analysis to identify=20
phytosanitary measures that could be applied to fresh white asparagus=20
to mitigate the pest risk. We have concluded that fresh white asparagus=20
can be safely imported into the

[[Page 48190]]

continental United States from Senegal using one or more of the five=20
designated phytosanitary measures listed in Sec.  319.56-4(b).=20
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.56-4(c), we are announcing the=20
availability of our pest risk analysis for public review and comment.=20
The pest risk analysis may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or=20
in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing=20
Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the=20
reading room). You may request paper copies of the pest risk analysis=20
by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER=20
INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the pest risk=20
analysis when requesting copies.
    After reviewing the comments we receive, we will announce our=20
decision regarding the import status of fresh white asparagus from=20
Senegal in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of the=20
analysis and the Administrator's determination of risk remain unchanged=20
following our consideration of the comments, then we will begin issuing=20
permits for importation of fresh white asparagus from Senegal into the=20
continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the=20
risk management analysis.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136=20
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of August, 2008.
Cindy Smith,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19093 Filed 8-15-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P