[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 12058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7217]



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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 58 / Monday, March 25, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12058]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 96-016-1]


Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency Because of Karnal Bunt

    An exotic fungal disease, Karnal bunt, has been detected in the 
United States. The disease was detected in Arizona, and potentially 
contaminated seed was sent to New Mexico and Texas. The disease had not 
previously been detected in the United States.
    Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) is a serious disease of wheat, durum 
wheat, and triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye. The disease affects 
both yield and grain quality. It adversely affects the color, odor, and 
palatability of flour and other foodstuffs made from wheat. It does not 
present a risk to human health.
    If Karnal bunt is allowed to spread, the overall crop loss and 
impact on quality may be significant. The disease could affect United 
States grain exports. The United States is the world's leading wheat 
exporter, accounting for one-third of the world wheat exports. Wheat 
exports from the United States were valued at $4.9 billion in Fiscal 
Year 1995. At least 21 countries are known to regulate or prohibit 
grain movement on the basis of Karnal bunt.
    Control and eradication of Karnal bunt is difficult. Management of 
the disease is through quarantine and containment of regulated 
articles. Initial emergency action was taken by the Arizona Department 
of Agriculture (ADA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS). APHIS and ADA have instituted emergency quarantines on the 
infected premises and are regulating the movement of seed, farm 
equipment, and soil associated with the infected wheat.
    This infection of Karnal bunt represents a threat to United States 
wheat crops. It constitutes a real danger to the national economy and 
seriously burdens interstate and foreign commerce. Therefore, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (the Department) has determined that an 
extraordinary emergency exists because of the existence of Karnal bunt 
in Arizona and possibly New Mexico and Texas.
    The Department has reviewed the measures being taken by the States 
of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to survey, regulate, and control 
Karnal bunt and has consulted with the Governors of Arizona, New 
Mexico, and Texas. Based on such review and consultation, the 
Department has determined that measures being taken by the States of 
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are inadequate because these States are 
unable to take all of the measures required to obtain and maintain the 
cooperation of the owners of wheat crops necessary to effectively and 
efficiently control Karnal bunt.
    Therefore, in accordance with 7 U.S.C. 150dd, this declaration of 
extraordinary emergency authorizes the Secretary to: (1) seize, 
quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or 
otherwise dispose of, in such manner as the Secretary deems 
appropriate, any product or article of any character whatsoever, or 
means of conveyance that the Secretary has reason to believe is 
infected by or contains Karnal bunt; (2) quarantine, treat, or apply 
other remedial measures to, in such manner as the Secretary deems 
appropriate, any premises, including articles on such premises, that 
the Secretary has reason to believe are infected by Karnal bunt. The 
Governors of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas have been informed of these 
facts.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This declaration of extraordinary emergency shall 
become effective March 20, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 96-7217 Filed 3-21-96; 9:27 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P