[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26240]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 25, 1994]


      
                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 205

                                          Tuesday, October 25, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Parts 300 and 319

[Docket No. 94-036-1]

 

Importation of Fruits and Vegetables

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are proposing to allow a number of previously prohibited 
fruits and vegetables to be imported into the United States from 
certain parts of the world. All of the fruits and vegetables, as a 
condition of entry, would be subject to inspection, disinfection, or 
both, at the port of first arrival as may be required by a U.S. 
Department of Agriculture inspector. In addition, some of the fruits 
and vegetables would be required to undergo prescribed treatments for 
fruit flies or other injurious insects as a condition of entry, or to 
meet other special conditions. This proposed action would provide the 
United States with additional kinds and sources of fruits and 
vegetables while continuing to provide protection against the 
introduction and dissemination of injurious plant pests by imported 
fruits and vegetables.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or 
before November 25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to 
Chief, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, USDA, room 804, 
Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Please 
state that your comments refer to Docket No. 94-036-1. Comments 
received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th 
Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to 
inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to 
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Frank E. Cooper or Mr. Peter 
Grosser, Senior Operations Officers, Port Operations, Plant Protection 
and Quarantine, APHIS, USDA, room 635, Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest 
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-8645.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56-8 (referred to below 
as the regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and 
vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to 
prevent the introduction and dissemination of injurious insects that 
are new to or not widely distributed within and throughout the United 
States.
    We are proposing to amend the regulations to allow additional 
fruits and vegetables to be imported into the United States from 
certain parts of the world under specified conditions. The importation 
of these fruits and vegetables has been prohibited because of the risk 
that the fruits and vegetables could introduce injurious insects into 
the United States. We are proposing to allow these importations at the 
request of various importers and foreign ministries of agriculture, and 
after conducting pest risk analyses1 that indicate the fruits or 
vegetables can be imported under certain conditions without significant 
pest risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\Information on these pest risk analyses and any other pest 
risk analysis referred to in this document may be obtained by 
writing to the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All of the fruits and vegetables included in this document would be 
subject to the requirements in Sec. 319.56-6 of the regulations. 
Section 319.56-6 provides, among other things, that all imported fruits 
and vegetables, as a condition of entry, shall be subject to 
inspection, disinfection, or both, at the port of first arrival, as may 
be required by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector to 
detect and eliminate plant pests. Section 319.56-6 also provides that 
any shipment of fruits and vegetables may be refused entry if the 
shipment is infested with fruit flies or other dangerous plant pests 
and an inspector determines that it cannot be cleaned by disinfection 
or treatment.
    Some of the fruits and vegetables proposed for importation also 
would be required to undergo prescribed treatments for fruit flies or 
other insect pests as a condition of entry, or to meet other special 
conditions.
    The proposed conditions of entry, which are discussed in greater 
detail below, appear adequate to prevent the introduction and 
dissemination of injurious plant pests by the importation of fruits and 
vegetables from certain foreign countries and localities into the 
United States.
Subject to Inspection and Treatment Upon Arrival
    We are proposing to allow the following fruits and vegetables to be 
imported into the United States from the country or locality indicated 
in accordance with Sec. 319.56-6 and all other applicable requirements 
of the regulations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Country/locality                Common name                Botanical name              Plant part(s)       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina..................  Currant....................  Ribes spp.................  Fruit.                    
                             Gooseberry.................  Ribes spp.................  Fruit.                    
Australia..................  Currant....................  Ribes spp.................  Fruit.                    
                             Gooseberry.................  Ribes spp.................  Fruit.                    
Austria....................  Asparagus, white...........  Asparagus officinalis.....  Shoot.\2\                 
Belize.....................  Sage.......................  Salvia officinalis........  Leaf and stem.            
El Salvador................  Cilantro...................  Coriandrum sativum........  Above ground parts.       
                             Dill.......................  Anethum graveolens........  Above ground parts.       
Honduras...................  Cilantro...................  Coriandrum sativum........  Above ground parts.       
Indonesia..................  Onion......................  Allium cepa...............  Bulb.                     
                             Shallot....................  Allium ascalonicum........  Bulb.                     
Nicaragua..................  Cilantro...................  Coriandrum sativum........  Above ground parts.       
Peru.......................  Cornsalad..................  Valerianella spp..........  Whole plant.              
                             Lambsquarters..............  Chenopodium album.........  Above ground parts.       
South Korea................  Eggplant...................  Solanum melongena.........  Fruit.                    
                             Kiwi.......................  Actinidia deliciosa.......  Fruit.                    
                             Lettuce....................  Lactuca sativa............  Leaf.                     
Tonga......................  Jicama.....................  Pachyrhizus tuberosus.....  Root.                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\No green may be visible on the shoot.                                                                        

    Pest risk analyses conducted by the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) have shown that the fruits and vegetables 
listed above are not attacked by fruit flies or other injurious plant 
pests, either because they are not hosts to the pests or because the 
pests are not present in the country or locality of origin. In 
addition, we have determined that any other injurious plant pests that 
might be carried by the listed fruits or vegetables would be readily 
detectable by a USDA inspector. Therefore, the provisions in 
Sec. 319.56-6 concerning inspection, disinfection, or both, at the port 
of first arrival, appear adequate to prevent the introduction into the 
United States of injurious plant pests by the importation of these 
fruits and vegetables.

Treatment Required

    Additionally, we are proposing to allow the fruits and vegetables 
listed below to be imported into the United States. These fruits and 
vegetables are attacked by the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) or 
other injurious insects, as specified below, in their country or 
locality of origin. Visual inspection cannot be relied upon to detect 
the insects. However, the fruits and vegetables listed below can be 
treated to destroy the Medfly or other injurious insects. Therefore, we 
propose to allow these fruits and vegetables to be imported into the 
United States, or specified parts of the United States, only if they 
have been treated in accordance with the Plant Protection and 
Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual, which has been incorporated by 
reference into the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR 300.1.
    We would revise the PPQ Treatment Manual to show that treatments 
are required as follows for the fruits and vegetables listed below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/locality                                                        
                        Common name, botanical name, plant part(s)      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina.......  Blueberry, Vaccinium spp., Fruit.                     
                  Fumigation as follows for Medfly:                     
                  With methyl bromide at NAP--chamber or tarpaulin:     
                  32 g/m\3\ (2 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 3\1/2\ hours at 21   
                   deg.C (70  deg.F) or above, with minimum gas         
                   concentrations of:                                   
                    26 g (26 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    22 g (22 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins     
                    21 g (21 oz) at 3\1/2\ hours after fumigation       
                     begins; or:                                        
                  32 g/m\3\ (2 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 4 hours at 18-20.5   
                   deg.C (65-69  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    26 g (26 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    22 g (22 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins     
                    19 g (19 oz) at 4 hours after fumigation begins     
                  (Fruit must be at the indicated temperature at start  
                   of fumigation.)                                      
El Salvador.....  Garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pod or shelled.      
                  Fumigation of pods as follows for exotic pod boring   
                   insects:                                             
                  With methyl bromide in a 381mm (15-inch) vacuum at:   
                    8 g/m\3\ (\1/2\ lb/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours at  
                     32  deg.C (90  deg.F) or above, with minimum gas   
                     concentrations of:                                 
                    16 g/m\3\ (1 lb/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours at 26.5-
                     31.5  deg.C (80-89  deg.F); or:                    
                    24 g/m\3\ (1\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours  
                     at 21-26  deg.C (70-79  deg.F); or:                
                    32 g/m\3\ (2 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours at    
                     15.5-20.5  deg.C (60-69  deg.F); or:               
                    40 g/m\3\ (2\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours  
                     at 10-15  deg.C (50-59  deg.F); or:                
                    48 g/m\3\ (3 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 1\1/2\ hours at 4.5-
                     9.5  deg.C (40-49  deg.F); or:                     
                  With methyl bromide at NAP (chamber or tarpaulin) at: 
                  24 g/m\3\ (1\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 26.5 
                   deg.C (80  deg.F) or above, with minimum gas         
                   concentrations of:                                   
                    19 g (19 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    14 g (14 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  32 g/m\3\ (2 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 21-26     
                   deg.C (70-79  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    26 g (26 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    19 g (19 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  40 g/m\3\ (2\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft for 2 hours at 15.5- 
                   20.5  deg.C (60-69  deg.F), with minimum gas         
                   concentrations of:                                   
                    32 g (32 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    24 g (24 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  48 g/m\3\ (3 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 10-15     
                   deg.C (50-59  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    38 g (38 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    29 g (29 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins     
                  (Vegetable must be at the indicated temperature at    
                   start of fumigation.)                                
Israel..........  Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, Leaf.                        
                  Fumigation as follows for leafminers, thrips and      
                   Sminthuris viridis:                                  
                  With methyl bromide at NAP--chamber or tarpaulin:     
                  32 g/m\3\ (2 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 21  deg.C 
                   (70  deg.F) or above, with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    26 g (26 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    14 g (14 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  40 g/m\3\ (2\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 15.5-
                   20.5  deg.C (60-69  deg.F), with minimum gas         
                   concentrations of:                                   
                    32 g (32 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    24 g (24 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  48 g/m\3\ (3 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 10-15     
                   deg.C (50-59  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    38 g (38 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    29 g (29 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  56 g/m\3\ (3\1/2\ lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 7-9  
                   deg.C (45-49  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    43 g (43 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    34 g (34 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins; or:
                  64 g/m\3\ (4 lbs/1000 cu ft) for 2 hours at 4.5-6.5   
                   deg.C (40-44  deg.F), with minimum gas concentrations
                   of:                                                  
                    48 g (48 oz) at \1/2\ hour after fumigation begins  
                    38 g (38 oz) at 2 hours after fumigation begins     
                  (Vegetable must be at the indicated temperature at    
                   start of fumigation.)                                
Taiwan..........  Carambola, Averrhoa carambola, Fruit.                 
                  Cold treatment as follows for fruit fly Bactrocera    
                   dorsalis:                                            
                  10 days at 0  deg.C (32  deg.F) or below              
                  11 days at .56  deg.C (33  deg.F) or below            
                  12 days at 1.11  deg.C (34  deg.F) or below           
                  14 days at 1.66  deg.C (35  deg.F) or below           
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The treatments described above have been determined to be effective 
against the specified insects. This determination is based on research 
evaluated and approved by the Department. A bibliography and additional 
information on this research may be obtained from the Hoboken Methods 
Development Center, PPQ, APHIS, USDA, 209 River Street, Hoboken, NJ, 
07030.
    In accordance with Sec. 319.56-2x(b) of the regulations, the fruits 
and vegetables listed above and required to be treated for fruit flies 
would be restricted to ports of arrival at Wilmington, NC, and the 
North Atlantic if treatment has not been completed before the fruits 
and vegetables arrive in the United States. Climatic conditions at 
Wilmington, NC, and at North Atlantic ports are unsuitable for the 
fruit flies listed above. Therefore, in the unlikely event that any 
fruit flies escape before treatment, they will not become established 
pests in the United States. The designated North Atlantic ports are: 
Atlantic Ocean ports north of, and including, Baltimore; ports on the 
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway; Canadian border ports on the North 
Dakota border and east of North Dakota; and, for air shipments, 
Washington, DC (including Baltimore-Washington International and Dulles 
International airports).
    Pest risk analyses conducted by APHIS have determined that any 
other injurious plant pests that might be carried by the fruits and 
vegetables listed above would be readily detectable by a USDA 
inspector. As noted, the fruits and vegetables would be subject to 
inspection, disinfection, or both, at the port of first arrival, in 
accordance with Sec. 319.56-6.

Use of Methyl Bromide

    Methyl bromide is currently in widespread use as a fumigant. It is 
prescribed as a treatment for three of the commodities included in this 
proposal (blueberries from Argentina, garden beans from El Salvador, 
and lettuce from Israel). The environmental effects of using methyl 
bromide, however, are being scrutinized by international, Federal, and 
State agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), based 
on its evaluation of data concerning the ozone depletion potential of 
methyl bromide, published a notice of final rulemaking in the Federal 
Register on December 10, 1993 (58 FR 65018-65082). This rulemaking 
freezes methyl bromide production at 1991 levels and requires the 
phasing out of domestic use of methyl bromide by the year 2001. APHIS 
is studying the effectiveness and environmental acceptability of 
alternative treatments to prepare for the eventual unavailability of 
methyl bromide fumigation. Our current proposal assumes the continued 
availability of methyl bromide for use as a fumigant for at least the 
next few years.

Apples From Spain

    Section 319.56-2r contains administrative instructions governing 
the entry of apples and pears from certain countries in Europe. 
Currently, pears, but not apples, may be imported from Spain under the 
conditions prescribed in Sec. 319.56-2r, which include a preclearance 
program and cold treatment. Based on our review of the pest risk 
associated with the importation of apples and pears from Spain, it 
appears that apples may be imported under these conditions without 
presenting a significant pest risk. Therefore, we are proposing to 
amend Sec. 319.56-2r to allow the importation of apples from Spain 
under the same conditions that apply to pears from Spain.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. 
The rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866, and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we have performed an Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, which is set out below, regarding the 
impact of this proposed rule on small entities. However, we do not 
currently have all the data necessary for a comprehensive analysis of 
the effects of this rule on small entities. Therefore, we are inviting 
comments concerning potential effects. In particular, we are interested 
in determining the number and kind of small entities that may incur 
benefits or costs from implementation of this proposed rule.
    Under the Plant Quarantine Act and the Federal Plant Pest Act (7 
U.S.C. 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 151-167), the Secretary of Agriculture is 
authorized to regulate the importation of fruits and vegetables to 
prevent the introduction of injurious plant pests.
    This proposed rule would amend the regulations governing the 
importation of fruits and vegetables by allowing a number of previously 
prohibited fruits and vegetables to be imported into the United States 
from certain foreign countries and localities under specified 
conditions. The importation of these fruits and vegetables has been 
prohibited because of the risk that they could introduce injurious 
plant pests into the United States. This proposed rule would revise the 
status of certain commodities from certain countries and localities, 
allowing their importation into the United States for the first time.
    Our proposed changes are based on biological risk analyses that 
were conducted by APHIS at the request of various importers and foreign 
ministries of agriculture. The risk analyses indicate that the fruits 
or vegetables listed in this proposed rule could, under certain 
conditions, be imported into the United States without significant pest 
risk. All of the fruits and vegetables, as a condition of entry, would 
be subject to inspection, disinfection, or both, at the port of first 
arrival as may be required by a USDA inspector. In addition, some of 
the fruits and vegetables in this proposal also would be required to 
undergo mandatory treatment for fruit flies or other injurious insects 
as a condition of entry, or to meet other special conditions. Our 
proposed action would provide the United States with additional kinds 
and sources of fruits and vegetables while continuing to provide 
protection against the introduction into the United States of injurious 
plant pests by imported fruits and vegetables.

Apples

    This proposed rule would allow apples to be imported into the 
United States from Spain under certain conditions. Spain's production 
of apples in 1993 was approximately 821,000 metric tons (mt). Spain's 
export level over the past 5 years has averaged 20,000 mt. In the 
unlikely event that Spain's apple exports were fully diverted to the 
United States, they would represent about 0.4 percent of U.S. 
production, an amount that would not significantly affect the U.S. 
market. Moreover, there would not be any off-season advantages, since 
Spain's main production season, June through September, inclusive, is 
the same as for U.S. apple producers.
    In addition, the United States is a net exporter of apples. Total 
U.S. utilized production of apples in 1993 was 4,760,682 mt (fresh 
equivalent). (Utilized production of apples refers to the amount of 
apples sold plus the quantities of apples used on farms where grown and 
quantities of apples held in storage, thus those apples actually used 
in some way). Imports of fresh apples in 1992 totaled 120,412 mt, or 
2.5 percent of domestic utilized production that year, whereas exports 
totaled 507,614 mt, or 10.7 percent. Given this trade flow, the U.S. 
market for apples is not expected to exhibit the excess demand in the 
near future that could encourage increased foreign supply. The main 
commercial varieties grown in Spain (Golden Delicious, 50 percent; 
Granny Smith, 30 percent) are common varieties in the United States, 
and their export, therefore, would not satisfy any special market 
demand.

Asparagus (White)

    This proposed rule would allow white asparagus to be imported into 
the United States from Austria under certain conditions. Total U.S. 
asparagus production in 1993 was 2,204,000 hundredweight (cwt), or 
99,973 mt. Austria's current production of asparagus is around 400 mt, 
95 percent of which is white asparagus.
    APHIS expects that annual exports to the United States may reach 
between 1 and 2 tons. This quantity represents less than 0.002 percent 
of U.S. production, and therefore would not affect prices received by 
U.S. growers.

Blueberries

    This proposed rule would allow blueberries to be imported into the 
United States from Argentina under certain conditions. Total U.S. 
blueberry production in 1993 was 170,397,000 pounds, or 77,292 mt. 
About 40 percent was produced for the fresh fruit market, and about 60 
percent was processed. APHIS estimates Argentina's current production 
of blueberries to be 40 mt per year, and we expect that figure to 
expand to 200 mt by 1997-98. At present, all blueberry exports from 
Argentina (80 percent of production) are sent to Europe. If approved 
for entry into the United States, we expect that 19.2 mt or 60 percent 
of blueberry exports from Argentina would be directed to U.S. ports. 
This quantity represents less than 0.03 percent of U.S. production, and 
therefore would not noticeably affect prices received by U.S. growers.

Carambola

    This proposed rule would allow carambola to be imported into the 
United States from Taiwan under certain conditions. Carambola 
(starfruit) is not currently imported into the United States. Ninety 
percent of domestic production takes place in southern Florida, where 
60 to 90 growers cultivate a total of about 400 acres. Most of the 
producers would be considered small entities, according to the Small 
Business Administration definition of annual gross receipts of $500,000 
or less. U.S. production of carambola in 1994 will reach between 5 and 
6 million pounds, a quantity expected to gradually increase as consumer 
familiarity with carambola grows. At present, carambola is unknown to 
most U.S. consumers, and the industry faces the challenge of creating 
broader market appeal for this fruit.
    Besides Florida, a relatively small amount of carambola is produced 
in Hawaii (58,400 pounds in 1992). A regulatory change last year now 
allows carambola grown in Hawaii to be marketed on the mainland. The 
initial volume to be shipped this year is estimated at 1,500 to 3,000 
pounds.
    Taiwan is reportedly the world's largest producer of carambola. In 
1992, 35,738 mt (78.8 million pounds) were produced, about 12 times 
that of the United States. However, less than 10 mt (0.03 percent) of 
Taiwan's production is exported annually, mainly to Hong Kong and 
Canada. As an initial trial shipment, about 1 mt is expected to be 
exported to the United States per year.
    California is a large and growing domestic market for carambola and 
the likely destination of carambola from Taiwan. It receives from 40 to 
50 percent of Florida's carambola crop. California requires that 
carambola from Florida be cold treated, and APHIS requires cold 
treatment for shipments from Hawaii to the mainland. Imports from 
Taiwan would also require cold treatment.
    Average prices received by U.S. carambola producers between 1989 
and 1993 ranged from about $0.67 to $1.55 per pound. Farm prices in 
Taiwan vary from $0.60 to $4.00 per kg ($0.27 to $1.81 per pound), 
depending on the quality, size of production, and season. Thus, prices 
are generally lower in Taiwan, but price differences between the two 
countries are not as great as might be expected. Moreover, high quality 
carambolas suitable for export sell well in Taiwan's domestic market. 
Relatively high farm prices and the fruit's well-established domestic 
market largely explain Taiwan's limited exports.
    Carambola is sensitive to chilling, which can cause the skin to 
turn brown and become pitted. Since all carambola entering California 
would require cold treatment, effects of the treatment on the 
appearance and marketability of the fruit would be similar, whether the 
carambola comes from Florida, Hawaii, or Taiwan.
    Assuming the market for carambola expands, and fruit from Taiwan is 
routinely imported, domestic producers' income will be less than it 
would be otherwise, due to a price decline and/or lower volumes than 
would be sold were there not imports. The critical question is what 
this reduction in income would be. There is no evidence to suggest that 
it would be significant.
    From a broader perspective, sales and income lost by domestic 
producers should be balanced against benefits to U.S. consumers in 
terms of greater availability and/or lower prices. Again, lack of 
information on how much carambola prices can be expected to decline as 
a result of imports, and the responsiveness of producers and consumers 
to a decline, precludes estimation of consumers' gains and domestic 
producers' losses. Nevertheless, APHIS believes that the net benefit to 
the U.S. economy would be positive.

Currants and Gooseberries

    This proposed rule would allow currants and gooseberries to be 
imported into the United States from Argentina under certain 
conditions. Argentina's area of ribes production totals only four 
hectares, one of which is being used for experiments on the suitability 
of various species. The Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, estimates the annual crop at 30 mt, of which 40 percent, 
or 12 mt, could be exported to the United States.
    Although published data on U.S. ribes production has not been 
found, trade statistics show the United States to be a net importer. In 
1992, 64 mt of currants and gooseberries were exported, and 264 mt of 
currants were imported. The quantity of ribes expected to be imported 
from Argentina is only 6 percent of 1992 net imports for the United 
States. APHIS does not expect this relatively small change in the 
quantity imported to significantly affect the market for U.S. 
producers.

Eggplant

    This proposed rule would allow eggplant to be imported into the 
United States from South Korea under certain conditions. U.S. 
commercial production of eggplant in 1993 was 776,000 cwt (35,199 mt). 
South Korea's annual production of eggplant in 1993 totaled 22,751 mt, 
of which 30.3 mt were exported to Japan and Guam. If all of South 
Korea's eggplant exports were sent to the United States, it would 
represent less than 0.09 percent of U.S. commercial production.
    Even in the very unrealistic scenario of South Korea's exports of 
eggplant being fully diverted to the United States, the quantities 
would not be large enough to affect the U.S. market.

Kiwi

    This proposed rule would allow kiwi to be imported into the United 
States from South Korea under certain conditions. Utilized U.S. 
production of kiwi in 1992 totaled 47,700 mt. Imports of kiwi into the 
United States for 1992 were estimated at 20,236 mt, or more than 40 
percent of domestic production. South Korea's annual production of kiwi 
in 1993 totaled 8,538 mt, of which none was exported. Assuming 5 
percent of South Korea's production (426.9 mt) were exported to the 
United States, this amount would represent only about 0.6 percent of 
U.S. supply (produced domestically and imported) in 1991.
    Even in the very unrealistic scenario of South Korea exporting 5 
percent of its kiwi production to the United States, the quantities 
would not be large enough to affect the U.S. market.

Lettuce

    This proposed rule would allow lettuce to be imported into the 
United States from Israel and South Korea under certain conditions. 
Total U.S. production of head, leaf, and romaine lettuce in 1993 was 
82,790,000 cwt (3,755,330 mt). In Israel, insect-free lettuce produced 
in greenhouses for the 1993/94 season reached about 4,480,000 pounds. 
Exports planned for 1994/95 are estimated at 1,600,000 pounds. If all 
of these exports were destined for the United States, they would 
comprise less than 0.02 percent of U.S. production and, therefore, 
would not noticeably affect the U.S. market.
    South Korea's annual production of leaf lettuce in 1993 totaled 
149,611 mt, of which 23.9 mt were exported to Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, 
and Saipan. If all of South Korea's lettuce exports were sent to the 
United States, it would represent only about 0.0006 percent of U.S. 
production.
    Even in the very unrealistic scenario of South Korea's export of 
lettuce being fully diverted to the United States, the quantities would 
not be large enough to affect the U.S. market.
    Impacts on U.S. producers for several of the other commodities that 
could be imported into the United States under this proposal could not 
be assessed because of a lack of data. However, none of these products 
is a significant U.S. crop. The herbs, in particular, are often grown 
to supplement other farm income. Others, such as arugula and lambs 
quarters, have limited markets. APHIS anticipates, therefore, that no 
significant economic impacts would result from the importation of these 
commodities for which analysis has not been possible.
    The aggregate economic impact of this proposed rule is expected to 
be positive. U.S. consumers would benefit from a greater availability 
of fruits and vegetables. U.S. importers would also benefit from a 
greater availability of fruits and vegetables to import.
    The alternative to this proposed rule was to make no changes in the 
fruits and vegetables regulations. After consideration, we rejected 
this alternative since there was no pest risk reason to maintain the 
prohibitions on the affected produce.
    This proposed rule contains no paperwork or recordkeeping 
requirements.

Executive Order 12778

    This proposed rule would allow certain fruits and vegetables to be 
imported into the United States from certain parts of the world. If 
this proposed rule is adopted, State and local laws and regulations 
regarding the importation of fruits and vegetables under this rule 
would be preempted while the fruits and vegetables are in foreign 
commerce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally imported for 
immediate distribution and sale to the consuming public, and would 
remain in foreign commerce until sold to the ultimate consumer. The 
question of when foreign commerce ceases in other cases must be 
addressed on a case-by-case basis. If this proposed rule is adopted, no 
retroactive effect will be given to this rule, and this rule will not 
require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in 
court challenging this rule.

National Environmental Policy Act

    An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact 
have been prepared for this proposed rule. The assessment provides a 
basis for the conclusion that the importation of fruits and vegetables 
under the conditions specified in this proposed rule would not present 
a significant risk of introducing or disseminating plant pests and 
would not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. Based on the finding of no significant impact, the 
Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has 
determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
    The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact 
were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) Regulations of the 
Council on Environmental Quality for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA Regulations 
Implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS Guidelines 
Implementing NEPA (44 FR 50381-50384, August 28, 1979, and 44 FR 51272-
51274, August 31, 1979).
    Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact are available for public inspection at USDA, room 
1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except holidays. In addition, copies may be obtained by writing to the 
individuals listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule contains no information collection or 
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 300

    Incorporation by reference, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine.

7 CFR Part 319

    Bees, Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Honey, Imports, Incorporation by 
reference, Nursery Stock, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rice, Vegetables.

    Accordingly, title 7, chapter III, of the Code of Federal 
Regulations would be amended as follows:

PART 300--INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    1. The authority citation for part 300 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 150ee, 154, 161, 162, 167; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, 
and 371.2(c).

    2. In Sec. 300.1, paragraph (a) would be revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 300.1  Materials incorporated by reference.

    (a) The Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, which was 
revised and reprinted November 30, 1992, and includes all revisions 
through __________, has been approved for incorporation by reference in 
7 CFR chapter III by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
* * * * *

PART 319--FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES

    3. The authority citation for part 319 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 150dd, 150ee, 150ff, 151-167, 450; 21 U.S.C. 
136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(c).


Sec. 319.56-2r  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 319.56-2r, paragraph (a)(1) would be amended by adding, 
in alphabetical order, ``Spain,''.
    5. In Sec. 319.56-2r, paragraph (g)(1) would be amended by adding 
``Spain,'' immediately before ``Sweden''.
    6. In Sec. 319.56-2t, the table would be amended by adding, in 
alphabetical order, the following:


Sec. 319.56-2t  Administrative instructions: conditions governing the 
entry of certain fruits and vegetables.

* * * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Country/locality              Common name                  Botanical name                Plant part(s)      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina                                                                                                       
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Currant......................  Ribes spp...................  Fruit.                    
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Gooseberry...................  Ribes spp...................  Fruit.                    
Australia..............  Currant......................  Ribes spp...................  Fruit.                    
                         Gooseberry...................  Ribes spp...................  Fruit.                    
Austria................  Asparagus, white.............  Asparagus officinalis.......  Shoot.\3\                 
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Belize                                                                                                          
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Sage.........................  Salvia officinalis..........  Leaf and stem.            
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
El Salvador............  Cilantro.....................  Coriandrum sativum..........  Above ground parts.       
                         Dill.........................  Anethum graveolens..........  Above ground parts.       
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Honduras                                                                                                        
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Cilantro.....................  Coriandrum sativum..........  Above ground parts.       
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Indonesia..............  Onion........................  Allium cepa.................  Bulb.                     
                         Shallot......................  Allium ascalonicum..........  Bulb.                     
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Nicaragua..............  Cilantro.....................  Coriandrum sativum..........  Above ground parts.       
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Peru                                                                                                            
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Cornsalad....................  Valerianella spp............  Whole plant.              
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Lambsquarters................  Chenopodium album...........  Above ground parts.       
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
South Korea                                                                                                     
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Eggplant.....................  Solanum melongena...........  Fruit.                    
                         Kiwi.........................  Actinidia deliciosa.........  Fruit.                    
                         Lettuce......................  Lactuca sativa..............  Leaf.                     
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Tonga                                                                                                           
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Jicama.......................  Pachyrhizus tuberosus.......  Root.                     
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\No green may be visible on shoot.                                                                            

    7. In Sec. 319.56-2x, paragraph (a), the table would be amended by 
adding, in alphabetical order, the following:


Sec. 319.56-2x  Administrative instructions: conditions governing the 
entry of certain fruits and vegetables for which treatment is required.

    (a) * * * 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Country/locality               Common name                  Botanical name               Plant part(s)       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina..............  Blueberry....................  Vaccinium spp...............  Fruit.                    
                                                                                                                
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
El Salvador............  Garden bean..................  Phaseolus vulgaris..........  Pod or shelled.           
                                                                                                                
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Israel                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
                         Lettuce......................  Lactuca sativa..............  Leaf.                     
                                                                                                                
                                                  * * * * * * *                                                 
Taiwan                                                                                                          
                         Carambola....................  Averrhoa carambola..........  Fruit.                    
                                                                                                                
                                                 * * * * * * *                                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of October 1994.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 94-26240 Filed 10-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P