[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 14046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7737]



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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 62 / Friday, March 29, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14046]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 96-016-2]


Declaration of 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.
    To conduct a management and eradication program, funds are needed 
to conduct surveys, and establish regulatory controls and other 
activities deemed necessary to protect wheat production areas and 
export markets. APHIS has insufficient funds to meet the needs of the 
proposed program. Once funded, APHIS can continue management programs 
in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and regulate areas that have 
received infected seed, soil, and equipment to prevent further spread. 
Delimiting surveys are planned to determine the extent of the 
infection. A national survey of grain elevators and a survey of grain 
export elevators is planned to verify Karnal bunt-free areas and to 
ensure continuation of exports.
    Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 
September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. 953 (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there 
is an emergency which threatens the wheat, durum wheat, and triticale 
crops of this country, and I authorize the transfer and use of such 
sums as may be necessary from appropriations or other funds available 
to agencies or corporations of the Department of Agriculture for the 
conduct of a program to detect and identify Karnal bunt infested areas, 
and to control and prevent the spread of Karnal bunt to noninfested 
areas in the United States, and to eradicate Karnal bunt wherever it 
may be found in the United States.
    Effective Date: This declaration of emergency shall become 
effective March 26, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 96-7737 Filed 3-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P