[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 42 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 11280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4987]


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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. 65, No. 42/Thursday, March 2, 2000/Notices  

[[Page 11280]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. 00-001-2]


Declaration of Emergency Because of Plum Pox Virus

    An exotic plant virus, plum pox virus, has been detected in the 
United States. The disease was detected in Pennsylvania and had not 
previously been detected in the United States.
    Plum pox virus is the cause of an extremely serious plant disease, 
affecting a number of Prunus species, including peach, nectarine, 
apricot, plum, and almond. Infection eventually results in severely 
reduced fruit production, and the fruit that is produced is often 
misshapen and blemished. There is no cure or treatment for the disease 
once a tree becomes infected. In Europe, where plum pox has been 
present for a number of years, the disease is considered to be the most 
serious disease affecting susceptible Prunus species. The disease is 
spread over short distances by a number of different aphid species, and 
over longer distances through the movement of infected budwood and 
nursery stock. The strain of virus now present in the United States is 
known not to be seed-transmitted.
    If plum pox is allowed to become established and to spread, the 
overall crop loss and impact on quality could be significant. The 
estimated annual value of stone fruit at the farm gate for the entire 
United States is at least $1.8 billion. If steps are not taken to 
eradicate plum pox in the very limited area in Pennsylvania where it is 
now known to be present, there is every possibility the disease will 
eventually spread to other areas in the United States where host crops 
are produced. This would result in substantial losses to producers of 
these important fruit crops, and to those industries that transport, 
process, or otherwise utilize this fruit. Consumers would also be 
affected by a reduction in the quantity and quality of fruit available, 
and by increased prices.
    There are three components to controlling and eradicating plum pox: 
(1) A regulatory program to prevent the movement of plant material 
infected with plum pox virus from the area where it is now known to be 
present to other areas where the host plants are likely to be present; 
(2) a survey program adequate to detect any additional infestations of 
plum pox virus that may be present; and (3) a control program to remove 
all infested orchards. Initial action was taken by the Pennsylvania 
Department of Agriculture (PDA). The PDA has instituted a quarantine 
that encompasses the two townships that include the area where plum pox 
virus is now known to be present. The Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of 
Agriculture intends to establish a parallel Federal quarantine of this 
area.
    APHIS has insufficient funds to conduct the control and eradication 
programs deemed necessary to protect stone fruit production areas. Once 
funded, APHIS can continue a control and eradication program.
    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 that threatens the stone fruit 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 United States Department of Agriculture for the 
conduct of a program to control and prevent the spread of plum pox to 
noninfested areas of the United States, and to eradicate plum pox 
wherever it may be found in the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This declaration of emergency shall become effective 
January 20 , 2000.

Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 00-4987 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P