[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 30113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8074]


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 Notices
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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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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 101 / Thursday, May 25, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 30113]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0072]


Availability of a Draft Pest Risk Assessment for Hass Avocados 
From Peru

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that a draft pest risk assessment 
has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
relative to a proposed rule currently under consideration that would 
allow the importation into the continental United States of fresh Hass 
avocados from Peru. We are making this draft pest risk assessment 
available to the public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, 
in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal Actions'' box, select 
``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
APHIS-2006-0072 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing 
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close 
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' 
link.
    Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your 
comment (an original and three copies) to APHIS-2006-0072, Regulatory 
Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, 
Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment 
refers to APHIS-2006-0072.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on the 
environmental assessment 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.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Juan Roman, Import Specialist, 
PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1237; (301) 
734-8758.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in ``Subpart--Fruits and Vegetables'' (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 plant pests that are new to or not widely distributed 
within the United States.
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 
considering amending the regulations to allow the importation of fresh 
Hass avocados from Peru into the continental United States. We have 
prepared a draft pest risk assessment entitled, ``Importation of `Hass' 
Avocado (Persea americana) Fruit from Peru into the Continental United 
States'' (May 2006), in order to consider the pest risks associated 
with the importation of fresh Hass avocados from Peru into the 
continental United States. We are making the draft pest risk assessment 
available to the public for review and comment.
    The draft pest risk assessment may be viewed on the Regulations.gov 
Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions 
for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours 
of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the draft pest 
risk assessment by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the draft 
pest risk assessment when requesting copies.
    This notice solicits public comments on the draft pest risk 
assessment. We will also make the draft pest risk assessment available 
for public comment during the comment period for any proposed rule 
related to the importation of Hass avocados from Peru.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of May 2006.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8074 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P