[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47286-47292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20247]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 153 / Friday, August 8, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 47286]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 03-050-1]


International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 
Activities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the 
Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade, we are informing the public of international standard-
setting activities of the Office International des Epizooties, the 
Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the 
North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting 
public comment on the standards to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by postal mail/commercial delivery 
or by e-mail. If you use postal mail/commercial delivery, please send 
four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket 
No. 03-050-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 
3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. 03-050-1. If you use e-mail, 
address your comment to [email protected]. Your comment must 
be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. 
Please include your name and address in your message and ``Docket No. 
03-050-1'' on the subject line.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Mr. John Greifer, Director, Trade 
Support Team, International Services, APHIS, room 1132, South Building, 
14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202) 
720-7677. For specific information regarding standard-setting 
activities of the Office International des Epizooties, contact Dr. 
Michael David, Chief, Sanitary International Standards Team, VS, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8093. For 
specific information regarding the standard-setting activities of the 
International Plant Protection Convention or the North American Plant 
Protection Organization, contact Mr. Narcy Klag, Program Director, 
Phytosanitary Issues Management, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 60, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8469, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common 
international institutional framework for governing trade relations 
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. 
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress 
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), 
which was signed into law by the President on December 8, 1994. The WTO 
Agreements, which established the WTO, entered into force with respect 
to the United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements 
Act amended title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 
2531 et seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as 
amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency 
to be responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international 
standard-setting organization. The designated agency must inform the 
public by publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that 
provides the following information: (1) The SPS standards under 
consideration or planned for consideration by the international 
standard-setting organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, 
a description of the consideration or planned consideration of that 
standard, a statement of whether the United States is participating or 
plans to participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda 
for U.S. participation, if any, and the agency responsible for 
representing the United States with respect to that standard.
    [sbull] ``International standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as 
any standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed 
under the auspices of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) 
regarding animal health and zoonoses; (3) developed under the auspices 
of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention 
(IPPC) in cooperation with the North American Plant Protection 
Organization (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) established by or 
developed under any other international organization agreed to by the 
member countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or 
the member countries of the WTO.
    The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 
(60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official 
responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department 
of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities and USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public 
of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform 
the public of SPS standard-setting activities

[[Page 47287]]

for Codex. Codex was created in 1962 by two United Nations 
organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the 
World Health Organization. It is the major international organization 
for encouraging international trade in food and protecting the health 
and economic interests of consumers.
    APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, 
and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and 
animal health and representing the United States with respect to these 
standards.
    Following are descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO 
organizations and the standard-setting agenda for each of these 
organizations. We have described the agenda that each of these 
organizations will address at their annual general sessions, including 
standards that may be presented for adoption or consideration, as well 
as other initiatives that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.
    The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft 
standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed 
and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of 
the United States to support adoption of international standards and to 
participate actively and fully in their development, it should be 
recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will 
depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and 
interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any 
persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific 
draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting 
issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be 
under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at 
the beginning of this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

OIE Standard-Setting Activities

    The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing 
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed 
of 164 member nations, each of which is represented by a delegate who, 
in most cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country. The WTO 
has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting animal 
health standards, reporting global animal disease events, and 
presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary measures relating 
to animal health.
    The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the 
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research 
among its members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and 
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal 
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern 
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to 
achieve this through the development and revision of international 
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international 
trade of animals and animal products.
    The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of 
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of member countries for 
certain diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their 
international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease 
status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to member 
countries.
    Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the 
development and preparation of draft standards, which are then 
circulated to member countries for consultation (review and comment). 
Draft standards are revised accordingly and then presented to the OIE 
General Session, which meets annually every May, for review and 
adoption. Adoption, as a general rule, is based on consensus of the OIE 
membership.
    The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 23-28, 2004, in 
Paris, France. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services 
is the official U.S. delegate to the OIE. The Deputy Administrator 
intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment 
on APHIS' position on any standard up for adoption. Information about 
current and past OIE draft Code chapters may be found on the Internet 
at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/oie/ or by contacting Dr. Michael 
David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).

Code Commission Name Changes

    The name of the International Animal Health Code Commission has 
been changed to the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission. 
However, it will continue to be referred to as the ``Code Commission.''
    The name of the Fish Diseases Commission has been changed to the 
Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission, and will be referred to as 
the Aquatic Animals Commission. The Aquatic Animals Commission will 
continue to develop and revise chapters that address issues such as the 
health certification, diagnosis and surveillance of animal species.

OIE Code Chapters Up for Adoption

    Existing Code chapters that may be revised and new chapters that 
may be drafted in preparation for the next General Session in 2004 
include the following:

1. Avian Influenza

    This chapter was recently redrafted to include the H5 and H7 low 
pathogenic strains. Although many countries supported the chapter, 
significant changes still need to be made before the new chapter can be 
adopted.

2. Bluetongue

    This is a vector-borne disease that primarily affects sheep. Draft 
surveillance guidelines for bluetongue will be drafted by an ad hoc 
group and presented to the delegates for comment.

3. Maedi-visna

    This is a disease of sheep and goats. This would represent a new 
OIE Code chapter. The chapter will provide recommendations for the 
trade of sheep and goats and their products as it pertains to Maedi-
visna. A draft chapter may be presented for comment.

4. Diseases of Bees

    An ad hoc group was convened in June 2003 to address the many 
comments and to draft a revised chapter to be submitted for adoption in 
2004.

5. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

    This chapter is continuously being updated as new and additional 
information becomes available. For the next General Session, the 
International Committee agreed to open up the chapter for review with 
the intent of considering changing the categories under which countries 
are placed with respect to BSE.

6. Animal Welfare

    At least two ad hoc groups will be convened before the end of 2003 
to draft chapters establishing international standards for the 
transportation of livestock.

Code Commission Future Work Program

    During the next few years, the OIE Code Commission is expected to 
address the following issues or establish ad hoc groups of experts to 
update and/or develop standards for the following issues:

1. BSE in Small Ruminants

    This would be a new OIE Code chapter intended to provide guidance 
for export certification of sheep and

[[Page 47288]]

goats and their products. The United States will consider its position 
on this new standard after it reviews a draft.

2. Animal Welfare

    Various chapters on animal welfare, including transportation, 
humane slaughter, and housing, will be drafted by ad hoc groups and 
presented to the International Committee for comment.

The Process

    These chapters are drafted (or revised) by either the Commission or 
by ad hoc groups composed of technical experts nominated by the 
Director General of the OIE by virtue of their subject-area expertise. 
Once a new chapter is drafted or an existing one revised, the chapter 
is distributed to member countries for review and comment. The OIE 
attempts to provide proposed chapters by early September to allow 
member countries sufficient time for comment. Comments are due by mid-
November of the same year. The draft standard is revised by the OIE 
Code Commission on the basis of relevant scientific comments received 
from member countries.
    The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to review and, where 
appropriate, comment on all draft chapters and revisions once it 
receives them from the OIE. USDA/APHIS intends to distribute these 
drafts to the U.S. livestock and aquaculture industries, veterinary 
experts in various U.S. academic institutions, and other interested 
persons for review and comment. Additional information regarding these 
draft standards may be obtained by contacting Dr. Michael David (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    Generally, if a country has concerns with a particular draft 
standard, and supports those concerns with sound technical information, 
the pertinent OIE Code Commission will revise that standard accordingly 
and present the revised draft for adoption at the General Session in 
May. In the event that a country's concerns regarding a draft standard 
are not taken into account, that country may refuse to support the 
standard when it comes up for adoption at the General Session. However, 
each member country is obligated to review, comment, and make decisions 
regarding the adoption of standards strictly on their scientific 
merits.

Other OIE Topics

    Every year at the General Session, two technical items are 
presented. For the May 2004 General Session, the following technical 
items will be presented:
    1. Emerging and reemerging viral diseases and ways to predict, 
prevent, and control outbreaks (with particular reference to 
hemorrhagic fevers, avian influenza, and rabies).
    2. Animal identification and traceability.
    The information in this notice includes all the information 
available to us on OIE standards currently under development or 
consideration. Information on OIE standards is available on the 
Internet at http://www.oie.int. Further, a formal agenda for the next 
General Session will be available to member countries in February 2004, 
and copies will be available to the public once the agenda is 
published. For the most current information on meeting times, working 
groups, and/or meeting agendas, including information on official U.S. 
participation in OIE activities, and U.S. positions on standards being 
considered, contact Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any areas of work 
under the OIE may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see 
ADDRESSES above) or by providing comments through Dr. Michael David.

IPPC Standard-Setting Activities

    The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the 
purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread 
and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote 
appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the 
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, 
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants 
from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities addressed by 
the IPPC include the development and establishment of international 
plant health standards, the harmonization of phytosanitary activities 
through emerging standards, the facilitation of the exchange of 
official and scientific information among countries, and the furnishing 
of technical assistance to developing countries that are signatories to 
the IPPC.
    The IPPC is placed under the authority of the FAO, and the members 
of the Secretariat of the IPPC are appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is 
implemented by national plant protection organizations in cooperation 
with regional plant protection organizations, the Interim Commission on 
Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM), and the Secretariat of the IPPC. The 
United States plays a major role in all standard-setting activities 
under the IPPC and has representation on FAO's highest governing body, 
the FAO Conference.
    The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972 
and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever 
since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered 
into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries 
accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties 
completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the 
FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997 
amendment updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-
setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC 
will enter into force once two-thirds of the current contracting 
parties notify the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the 
amendment. At this date, 44 of the required 80 member countries have 
deposited their official letters of acceptance. The U.S. Senate gave 
its advice and consent to acceptance of the newly revised IPPC on 
October 18, 2000. The President submitted the official letter of 
acceptance to the FAO Director General on October 4, 2001.
    The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the 
national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is 
to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United 
States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The steps for developing a 
standard under the revised IPPC are described below.

Step 1

    Proposals for a new international standard for phytosanitary 
measures (ISPM) or for the review or revision of an existing ISPM are 
submitted to the Secretariat of the IPPC in the form of a discussion 
paper accompanied by a topic or draft standard. Drafts can be submitted 
by individual countries, but are more commonly submitted by regional 
plant protection organizations (RPPOs). Alternately, the Secretariat 
can propose a new standard or amendments to existing standards.

Step 2

    A summary of proposals is submitted by the Secretariat to the ICPM. 
The ICPM identifies the topics and priorities for standard setting from 
among the proposals submitted to the Secretariat and others that may be 
raised by the ICPM.

[[Page 47289]]

Step 3

    Specifications for the standards identified as priorities by the 
ICPM are drafted by the Secretariat. The draft specifications are 
submitted to the Standards Committee for approval/amendment and are 
subsequently made available to members and RPPOs for comment (60 days). 
Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Taking into 
account the comments, the Standards Committee finalizes the 
specifications.

Step 4

    The standard is drafted or revised in accordance with the 
specifications by a working group designated by the Standards 
Committee. The resulting draft standard is submitted to the Standards 
Committee for review.

Step 5

    Draft standards approved by the Standards Committee are distributed 
to members by the Secretariat and RPPOs for consultation (120 days). 
Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Where 
appropriate, the Standards Committee may establish open-ended 
discussion groups as forums for further comment. The Secretariat 
summarizes the comments and submits them to the Standards Committee.

Step 6

    Taking into account the comments, the Secretariat, in cooperation 
with the Standards Committee, revises the draft standard. The Standards 
Committee submits the final version to the ICPM for adoption.

Step 7

    The ISPM is established through formal adoption by the ICPM 
according to Rule X of the Rules of Procedure of the ICPM.

Step 8

    Review of the ISPM is completed by the specified date or such other 
date as may be agreed upon by the ICPM.
    Each member country is represented on the ICPM by a single 
delegate. Although experts and advisers may accompany the delegate to 
meetings of the ICPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate) 
may represent each member country in considering a standard up for 
approval. Parties involved in a vote by the ICPM are to make every 
effort to reach agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all 
efforts to reach a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a 
standard be passed by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and 
voting.
    Technical experts from the United States have participated directly 
in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft 
standards. In addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and 
NAPPO have been sources of significant input for many of the standards 
adopted to date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards 
currently under consideration or up for adoption. The full text of each 
standard will be available on the APHIS Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/. Interested individuals may 
review the standards posted on this Web site and submit comments via 
the Web site.
    The next ICPM meeting is scheduled for March 29-April 2, 2004, at 
FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ programs is the U.S. delegate to the ICPM. The Deputy Administrator 
intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment 
on APHIS' position on any standard up for adoption. The provisional 
agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Provisional Agenda for the Fifth Interim Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures

    1. Opening of the session.
    2. Adoption of the agenda.
    3. Report by the chairperson.
    4. Report by the Secretariat.
    5. Adoption of international standards (see section below entitled 
``IPPC Standards Up for Adoption in 2004'' for details).
    6. Items arising from the Fourth Session of the ICPM (see section 
below entitled ``New Standard Setting Initiatives'' for details).
    7. Work program for harmonization.
    8. Status of the 1997 revised IPPC.
    9. Other business.
    10. Date and venue of the next meeting.
    11. Adoption of the report.

IPPC Standards Up for Adoption in 2004

    It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently 
developed to be considered by the ICPM for adoption at its April 2004 
meeting. The United States, represented by APHIS' Deputy Administrator 
for PPQ, will participate in the consideration of these standards. The 
U.S. position on each of these issues will be developed prior to the 
ICPM session and will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from 
other U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information 
from interested stakeholders. The standards that are most likely to be 
considered for adoption include:

1. Pest Risk Analysis for Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests

    Certain pests that are not quarantine pests may be subject to 
phytosanitary regulations and procedures because their presence above a 
specific level results in economically unacceptable impacts associated 
with the intended use of the plants. Such pests are referred to as 
regulated non-quarantine pests (RNQP). Under the IPPC, phytosanitary 
regulations and procedures covering RNQP should be technically 
justified. The classification of a pest as an RNQP and any restrictions 
placed on the importation of the plant species with which it is 
associated must be justified by pest risk analysis. This standard will 
provide guidance for (1) Conducting an appropriate pest risk assessment 
necessary to demonstrate that a particular plant for planting is a 
pathway that may result in an economically unacceptable impact and (2) 
subsequent risk management decisions. This draft standard was posted on 
APHIS' Web site on June 20, 2003, with comments due by September 15, 
2003. Subsequently, this draft will be prepared for ICPM approval at 
its 6th session in April 2004. The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) 
intends to support adoption of this draft standard.

2. Pest Risk Analysis for Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)

    At the third session of the ICPM in April 2001, members agreed that 
phytosanitary risks that may be associated with an LMO, or any organism 
with novel traits, fall within the scope of the IPPC and should be 
considered using pest risk analysis to facilitate decisions regarding 
pest risk management. Accordingly, members subsequently agreed on the 
need to develop an IPPC standard that provides guidance to National 
Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) on the assessment of LMOs 
regarding pest risk. This draft standard, which provides guidance on 
the conduct of pest risk analysis for LMOs was posted on APHIS' Web 
site on June 20, 2003, with comments due by September 15, 2003. 
Subsequently, this draft will be prepared for ICPM approval at its 6th 
session in April 2004. The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to 
support adoption of this draft standard.

3. Guidelines for an Import Regulatory System

    The primary objective of an import regulatory system is to prevent 
the entry of regulated pests with imported commodities. In operating an 
import regulatory system, the NPPO has

[[Page 47290]]

functions that include administration, regulatory development, pest 
risk analysis and pest listing, compliance checks, action taken on non-
compliance, emergency action, authorization of personnel, and other 
such functions described in the Convention. This standard describes the 
structure and operation of a phytosanitary import regulatory system and 
the rights, obligations, and responsibilities that should be considered 
in establishing, operating, and revising such a system. This draft 
standard was posted on APHIS' Web site on June 20, 2003, with comments 
due by September 15, 2003. Subsequently, this draft will be prepared 
for ICPM approval at its 6th session in April 2004. The United States 
(i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to support adoption of this draft standard.

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group meetings or other technical 
consultations will take place during 2003 and 2004 on the topics listed 
below. These standard-setting initiatives are not expected to be 
completed prior to April 2004 and, therefore, will not be ready for 
adoption at the 2004 ICPM session. Nonetheless, APHIS intends to 
participate actively and fully in each of these working groups. The 
U.S. position on each of the topics to be addressed by these various 
working groups will be developed prior to these working group meetings 
and will be based on APHIS' technical analysis, information from other 
U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from 
interested stakeholders.

1. Efficacy of Phytosanitary Measures

    This standard will provide guidance for evaluating the efficacy of 
phytosanitary measures. This will be significant guidance as the IPPC 
begins to develop recommendations on acceptable phytosanitary measures 
for managing specific pests. A range of supplemental and specific 
standards could follow (e.g., hot water treatment for fruit flies). 
Work on this standard will continue through 2004 with the goal of 
having the standard ready for ICPM approval in 2005.

2. Equivalence

    This standard will provide guidance to NPPOs for evaluating and 
making judgments of equivalence in the phytosanitary arena. The expert 
working group is expected to develop a standard that describes the 
fundamental principles and concepts involved in making an equivalence 
determination; identifies approaches that are most useful for 
phytosanitary purposes; and outlines the sequence of steps that would 
be involved in evaluating equivalence, including the information that 
may be required to be exchanged during this process.

3. Low pest prevalence

    This standard is likely to provide guidance for establishing, 
maintaining, and verifying areas of low pest prevalence (i.e., ``An 
area, whether all of a country, part of a country, or all or parts of 
several countries, as identified by the competent authorities, in which 
a specific pest occurs at low levels and which is subject to effective 
surveillance, control, or eradication measures * * *'' (IPPC, 1997). 
Benefits of establishing and recognizing a low pest area may include 
reduced use of non-toxic control measures in the field (e.g., sterile 
insect technique); market access for areas that were previously 
excluded; and less restrictive movement control. The standard is likely 
to describe measures for maintaining specified pest populations at low 
levels, monitoring the pest, quarantine operations, and emergency 
planning and response. It would describe the role of the NPPO to ensure 
compliance with this standard.

4. Revision of ISPM No. 2 (Guidelines of Pest Risk Analysis, General 
Standards)

    This standard was adopted in 1995 and is considered a foundation 
standard describing the basic framework for conducting a pest risk 
analysis. Since then, new standards have been adopted such as specific 
standards on pest risk analysis for quarantine pests versus pest risk 
analysis requirements for regulated non-quarantine pests. As a result, 
ICPM members agreed on the need to review, update, and make consistent 
the original concept standard with these more contemporary standards.

5. Guidelines for Surveillance for Specific Pests (Citrus Canker)

    This standard provides guidelines to plant health officials for 
obtaining information on pests of concern in specific sites in an area 
over a defined period of time through specific surveys. The collected 
information may be used to determine the presence or distribution of 
pests in an area, or on a host or commodity.

6. Inspection Methodology

    This standard addresses pest detection aspects of post-harvest 
compliance procedures based on inspection when used for the importation 
or exportation of plants, plant products, and other regulated articles 
for purposes of determining phytosanitary actions for individual 
consignments. Many of the same principles and procedures apply to 
systems that rely upon closely related activities such as testing as 
the means for detecting pests and determining phytosanitary measures.

7. Update ISPM No. 1 (Principles of Plant Quarantine)

    This reference standard describes the general rule and specific 
principles of plant quarantine as related to international trade. A 
number of principles and terms contained in the current edition 
(adopted in 1993) need to be updated and aligned with the WTO SPS 
Agreement, 1997 revised Convention, and recently adopted IPPC 
standards.
    For more detailed information on the above topics, which will be 
addressed by various working groups established by the ICPM, contact 
Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    APHIS posts draft standards on the Internet (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/) as they become available and 
provides information on when comments on standards are due. Additional 
information on IPPC standards is available on the FAO's Web site at 
http://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.htm. For the most current 
information on official U.S. participation in IPPC activities, 
including U.S. positions on standards being considered, contact Mr. 
Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those wishing 
to provide comments on any of the areas of work being undertaken by the 
IPPC may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES 
above) or by providing comments through Mr. Klag.

NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United 
States, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, 
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating 
intra- and inter-regional trade.
    NAPPO conducts its business through panels and annual meetings held 
among the three member countries. The NAPPO Executive Committee charges 
individual panels with the responsibility for drawing up proposals for 
NAPPO positions, policies, and standards. These panels are made up of 
representatives from each member country who have scientific expertise

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related to the policy or standard being considered.
    Proposals drawn up by the individual panels are circulated for 
review to government and industry officials in Canada, Mexico, and the 
United States, who may suggest revisions. In the United States, draft 
standards are circulated to industry, States, and various Government 
agencies for consideration and comment. The draft standards are posted 
on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/; 
interested persons may submit comments via that Web site. Once 
revisions are made, the proposal is sent to the NAPPO working group and 
the NAPPO standards panel for technical reviews and then to the 
Executive Committee for final approval, which is granted by consensus.
    The annual NAPPO meeting is scheduled for October 20-24, 2003, in 
New Orleans, LA. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting will take place 
on October 19, 2003, and a special session will be held on October 20, 
2003, to solicit comment from industry groups so that suggestions can 
be incorporated into the NAPPO work plan for the 2004 NAPPO year. The 
Deputy Administrator for APHIS' PPQ programs is a member of the NAPPO 
Executive Committee. The Deputy Administrator intends to participate in 
the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any 
standard up for adoption or any proposals to develop new standards.
    The work plan for 2003 was established after the October 2002 
Annual Meeting in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ 
participated in establishing this NAPPO work plan (see panel 
assignments below).
    Below is a summary of current panel assignments as they relate to 
the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United States (i.e., 
USDA/APHIS) intends to participate actively and fully in the work of 
each of these panels. The U.S. position on each topic will be guided 
and informed by the best scientific information available on each of 
these topics. For each of the following panels, the United States will 
consider its position on any draft standard after it reviews a prepared 
draft. Information regarding the following NAPPO panel topics, 
assignments, activities, and updates on meeting times and locations may 
be obtained from the NAPPO homepage at http://www.nappo.org or by 
contacting Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).

1. Accreditation Panel (Inspector Accreditation)

    This panel will work towards facilitating the proper implementation 
of the standard ``Accreditation of Individuals to Sign Federal 
Phytosanitary Certificates.'' A review of the U.S. system was conducted 
in June 2001, and a review of the Canadian system was conducted in 
early 2002. A review of Mexico's system was conducted in June 2003. A 
written report was to be provided to the Executive Committee at its 
meeting in July 2003.

2. Biological Control Panel

    This panel will work on developing a standard for biological 
control facilities.

3. Biotechnology Panel

    This panel will continue to develop a NAPPO standard for the review 
of products of biotechnology that focuses on the assessment of the 
potential to present a plant pest risk. Modules on the importation into 
contained facilities and confined release into the environment have 
been completed. It is anticipated that the module dealing with 
unconfined release into the environment will be completed in 2003. A 
draft for the final module, importation for uses other than 
propagation, will also be developed.

4. Citrus Panel

    The panel will continue to work on the standard for the entry of 
citrus propagative material into NAPPO member countries and will 
include consideration of mites and insects.

5. Forestry Panel

    The panel will work on trying to harmonize, between NAPPO 
countries, the implementation of the international standard for wood 
packaging material.

6. Fruit Panel

    The panel will finalize the standard, ``Areas of Low Pest 
Prevalence.'' This standard should be approved by the NAPPO Executive 
Committee in 2003.

7. Fruit Tree Panel

    The panel will begin development of a standard on ``Guidelines for 
the Importation of Fruit Trees.'' This panel will also continue to 
develop a concept paper on ``The Movement of Propagative Material, 
which may lead to the development of a standard at a future date.''

8. Grapevine Panel

    This panel will expand the current version of the NAPPO grapevine 
standard to include other significant pests such as nematodes and 
insects.

9. In Transit Panel

    The panel will begin development of a NAPPO standard that outlines 
the phytosanitary procedures to be followed for regulated articles that 
pass through a ``third'' country on their way to the destination 
country.

10. Pest Risk Analysis Panel

    This panel will coordinate NAPPO input on the development of the 
IPPC standard entitled ``Pest Risk Analysis for Regulated Non-
Quarantine Pests.''

11. Phytosanitary Alert System

    This panel will finalize the NAPPO standard on pest reporting. The 
standard should be approved by the Executive Committee this year.

12. Potato Panel

    This panel will review and revise the NAPPO Potato Standard pest 
list and finalize a revised standard for NAPPO Executive Committee 
approval.

13. Standards Panel

    This panel is responsible for the following: Providing updates on 
standards for the NAPPO newsletter; coordinating the review of new and 
amended NAPPO standards and ensuring that comments received during the 
country consultation phase are incorporated as appropriate; organizing 
conference calls and preparing NAPPO discussion documents for possible 
use at the IPPC; and promoting implementation of recently adopted IPPC 
standards. The panel will finalize a NAPPO standard for implementing 
the recently adopted IPPC standard ``Notification of Interceptions and 
Non-Compliance,'' and will finalize a standard for developing bilateral 
workplans.
    The PPQ Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to 
NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant 
health standards, including the work described above, once they are 
completed and ready for such consideration.
    The information in this notice includes all the information 
available to us on NAPPO standards currently under development or 
consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the 
working panels that may become available following publication of this 
notice, check the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at http://www.nappo.org or contact Mr. Narcy Klag (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT above). Information on official U.S.

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participation in NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on 
standards being considered, may also be obtained from Mr. Klag. Those 
wishing to provide comments on any of the topics being addressed by any 
of the NAPPO panels may do so at any time by responding to this notice 
(see ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting comments through Mr. Klag.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of August, 2003.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20247 Filed 8-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P