[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 244 (Thursday, December 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76863-76868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30080]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 319

[Docket No. APHIS-2007-0144]
RIN 0579-AC76


Importation of Baby Squash and Baby Courgettes From Zambia

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow 
the importation into the continental United States of baby squash and 
baby courgettes from Zambia. As a condition of entry, both commodities 
must be produced in accordance with a systems approach that includes 
requirements for pest exclusion at the production site, fruit fly 
trapping inside and outside the production site, and pest-excluding 
packinghouse procedures. Both commodities must also be accompanied by a 
phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that 
the baby squash or baby courgettes have been produced in accordance 
with the requirements of the systems approach. This action will allow 
the importation of baby squash and baby courgettes from Zambia into the 
United States while continuing to provide protection against the 
introduction of quarantine pests.

DATES: Effective Date: January 20, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Wager Page, Branch Chief, 
Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8758.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in ``Subpart-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 319.56 
through

[[Page 76864]]

319.56-47, 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.
    On May 16, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 28372-
28377, Docket No. APHIS-2007-0144) a proposal \1\ to amend the fruits 
and vegetables regulations to allow the importation into the 
continental United States of baby squash and baby courgettes from 
Zambia. As a condition of entry, we proposed to require that both 
commodities be produced in accordance with a systems approach that 
would include requirements for pest exclusion at the production site, 
fruit fly trapping inside and outside the production site, and pest-
excluding packinghouse procedures. We also proposed to require that 
both commodities be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an 
additional declaration stating that the baby squash or baby courgettes 
have been produced in accordance with the proposed requirements.
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    \1\ To view the proposed rule and the comment we received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0144.
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    We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending 
July 15, 2008. We received one comment by that date, from a 
representative of a State government. The issues raised in that comment 
are discussed below.
    The systems approach we proposed was designed to mitigate, among 
other quarantine pests, three moths, Diaphania indica, Helicoverpa 
armigera, and Spodoptera littoralis. The commenter stated that, because 
these pests are internal feeders, inspection and detection at origin 
and destination are problematic, and reliance on inspection places the 
commenter's State at high risk of introduction of these pests. The 
commenter further stated that the two pests that have the highest 
unmitigated risk, H. armigera and S. littoralis, are of great concern 
in the commenter's State. Yet, the commenter stated, there are no real 
mitigative measures to exclude these pests other than insect-
exclusionary greenhouses; there is no trapping requirement or specific 
inspection regime to assure there have been no breaches of greenhouses.
    Under the final rule, the greenhouses and packinghouses will have 
to be approved jointly by the Zambian national plant protection 
organization (NPPO) and APHIS and designed to be pest-free. In 
addition, inspection will not be performed solely on the commodities; 
the greenhouses themselves will be inspected monthly for the presence 
of the pests. If any quarantine pests are found in a greenhouse, that 
greenhouse will be prohibited from exporting until corrective action is 
taken. Thus, we are employing more mitigations than simple commodity 
inspection to prevent baby squash and baby courgettes imported from 
Zambia from being infested with these pests.
    We have employed measures similar to the ones we proposed to 
mitigate the risk associated with H. armigera and S. littoralis in 
other import programs. For example, the regulations in Sec.  319.56-
28(e), which allow the importation of tomatoes from Australia under 
certain conditions, require greenhouses to be registered with and 
approved by the Australian NPPO and to be inspected by the Australian 
NPPO to establish freedom from H. armigera and S. littoralis. Similar 
measures are used to mitigate the risk associated with H. armigera and 
S. littoralis in the regulations governing the importation of peppers 
from Korea in Sec.  319.56-42. These measures have been effective at 
preventing the introduction of H. armigera and S. littoralis into the 
United States via the importation of those commodities. We have 
determined that they will be equally effective when employed to prevent 
the introduction of these pests via baby squash and baby courgettes 
from Zambia.
    We proposed that the Zambian NPPO or its approved designee be 
authorized to carry out certain functions. The commenter asked who 
would be the designee and who would approve the designee.
    As discussed in the proposed rule, an approved designee is an 
entity with which the NPPO creates a formal agreement that allows that 
entity to certify that the appropriate procedures have been followed. 
Thus, the NPPO approves an approved designee. The approved designee can 
be a contracted entity, a coalition of growers, or the growers 
themselves. APHIS authorizes NPPOs to use designees to perform certain 
phytosanitary functions in other import programs, such as the cut 
flower import program described in Sec.  319.74-2.
    The commenter stated that the proposal indicates APHIS can monitor 
the production sites before and during harvest. The commenter further 
stated that the word ``can'' is meaningless and recommended that the 
text in question read ``APHIS will monitor the production sites.''
    The proposed language specifically stated that APHIS must be 
allowed to inspect or monitor the greenhouses. We consider this 
language to be appropriate, as it may not be necessary for APHIS to 
inspect or monitor the greenhouses in all cases. We will inspect or 
monitor the greenhouses if we have reason to believe that the risks 
associated with the quarantine pests might not be effectively mitigated 
in the greenhouses.
    The commenter stated that the use of McPhail traps as a detection 
tool is problematic, as they have very limited sensitivity in detecting 
low-level fruit fly populations.
    We have determined that McPhail traps are the appropriate type to 
use for the trapping due to their capacity to catch important fruit fly 
species of quarantine significance for which no specific lures exist, 
such as the Dacus spp. fruit flies identified as quarantine pests in 
the pest risk assessment. Accordingly, the risk management document 
provided along with the proposed rule reflects this. However, the 
regulations specifically require the use of traps approved by APHIS, 
meaning that we can change the type of fruit fly trap used if a trap 
better suited to Dacus spp. fruit flies becomes available.
    Therefore, for the reasons given in the proposed rule and in this 
document, we are adopting the proposed rule as a final rule, without 
change.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. The 
rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the 
Office of Management and Budget.
    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we have analyzed 
the potential economic effects of this action on small entities.
    This analysis examines potential impacts for U.S. small entities 
from the importation of baby squash and baby courgettes (zucchini) from 
Zambia into the United States. The analysis is set forth in terms of 
squash generally. As background, we provide a brief overview of squash 
production and trade by the United States. This is followed with an 
estimate of price and welfare effects of the rule based on assumed 
levels of squash imports from Zambia. Finally, we describe the expected 
impact on small entities.

[[Page 76865]]

U.S. Squash Production and Trade

    The United States is a major squash producer and importer.\2\ The 
United States produced 430,100 metric tons (MT) of squash valued at 
$229 million in 2006, while imports that year totaled 240,590 MT. 
Squash production occurs in many States. However, the top 10 States 
(Georgia, Florida, California, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, North 
Carolina, Oregon, and New Jersey) accounted for 98 percent of total 
cash receipts in 2006.\3\
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    \2\ Squash can be classified depending on whether it is 
harvested as immature fruit (summer squash) or mature fruit (winter 
squash). Summer squash, such as zucchini (also known as courgette), 
pattypan, and yellow crookneck are harvested and consumed during the 
growing season, while the skin is still tender and the fruit 
relatively small. Winter squash such as butternut, hubbard, 
buttercup, ambercup, acorn, spaghetti squash, and pumpkin are 
harvested at maturity, generally the end of summer, cured to further 
harden the skin, and stored in a cool place for eating later. They 
generally require longer cooking time than summer squash.
    \3\ USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 
Vegetables 2006 Summary, January 2007.
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    As shown in table 1, U.S. squash production increased from 398,800 
MT in 2002 to 430,100 MT in 2006, an annual growth rate of about 1.6 
percent. Similarly, consumption increased from 605,970 MT to 665,730 
MT. During the same period, U.S. squash imports increased from 210,930 
MT in 2002 to 240,590 MT in 2006. Mexico accounted by far for the 
largest share of U.S. imports (95.6 percent), followed distantly by 
Costa Rica (1.6 percent), and Canada (1.1 percent). Other minor 
suppliers include Honduras, Panama, New Zealand, Guatemala, and 
Nicaragua. The United States was a net importer throughout this period, 
with average annual imports (over 234,000 MT) dwarfing exports (less 
than 4,300 MT). Imports from Zambia will be small compared to an 
already large import base.\4\
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    \4\ Reliable production data are not available for Zambia. 
Squash exported to the United States are to be grown in insect-
proof, pest-free greenhouses at approved production sites. These 
sites are in the process of being constructed. The Zambian 
Government expects to export around 400 MT of fresh squash to the 
United States annually. It is not clear whether some additional 
amount would be produced for export to other countries.

               Table 1--U.S. Squash Production, Consumption, Price, Exports and Imports, 2002-2006
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                                    Production      Consumption
              Year                     (MT)            (MT)        Price per MT    Exports in MT   Imports in MT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002............................         398,800         605,970            $882           3,770         210,930
2003............................         365,650         602,880           1,047           3,810         241,040
2004............................         401,330         637,650             992           4,090         240,410
2005............................         378,030         611,090           1,047           4,820         237,880
2006............................         430,100         665,730           1,157           4,960         240,590
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    5-year average (2002-2006)..         394,780         624,670           1,025           4,290        234,170
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Sources: USDA/NASS, Vegetables 2006 Summary, January 2007; wholesale prices are from USDA/NASS, Fresh market
  vegetables prices and yield data, 2002-2006; trade data are from USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service, The Global
  Trade Atlas: Global Trade Information Services, Inc., Country Edition, August 2007.

Impact of Potential Fresh Squash Imports

    We estimate the impact of baby squash and baby courgettes imports 
from Zambia on U.S. production, consumption, and prices using a net 
trade welfare model. The data used were obtained from the Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS); The Global Trade Atlas: Global Trade 
Information Services, Inc., Country Edition, August 2007; and United 
Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization FAOstat data (http://faostat.fao.org). The demand and supply elasticities used are -0.66 and 
0.12, respectively.\5\
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    \5\ Jaime E. Malaga, Gary W. Williams, and Stephen W. Fuller, 
``U.S.-Mexico fresh vegetable trade: the effects of trade 
liberalization and economic growth,'' Agricultural Economics, Vol. 
26 (October 2001): 45-55.
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    Our analysis is in terms of the overall squash industry of the 
United States. If data were available that would allow us to estimate 
the impact of this rule only in terms of the markets for baby squash 
and baby courgettes, we would expect the effects to be somewhat larger 
than those reported here, but still insignificant.
    We model three levels of squash exports to the United States from 
Zambia: (1) 260 MT, average annual global exports of squash by Zambia 
(2004-2006); (2) 400 MT, the amount of squash that the Government of 
Zambia has projected would be exported to the United States; and (3) 
1,000 MT, a quantity that is 2\1/2\ times Zambia's projected exports to 
the United States.
    Table 2 presents the changes that we estimate could result from the 
final rule. These include annual changes in U.S. consumption, 
production, wholesale price, consumer welfare, producer welfare, and 
net welfare. The medium level of assumed squash exports to the United 
States of 400 MT (as projected by the Government of Zambia) would 
result in a decline of $0.89 per MT in the wholesale price of squash 
and a fall in U.S. production of 41 MT. Consumption would increase by 
359 MT. Producer welfare would decline by $347,180 and consumer welfare 
would increase by $558,240, yielding an annual net benefit of about 
$211,060. Other results are as shown in table 2 below.

 Table 2--Estimated Impact of Squash Imports From Zambia on the United States Economy for Three Import Scenarios
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Assumed annual squash imports, MT......................         \1\ 260            \2\ 400          \3\ 1,000
Change in U.S. consumption, MT.........................             234                359                898
Change in U.S. production, MT..........................             -26                -41               -102
Change in wholesale price of squash, dollars per MT....             -$0.58             -$0.89             -$2.22
Change in consumer welfare.............................        $362,820           $558,240         $1,396,210
Change in producer welfare.............................       -$225,670          -$347,180          -$867,890
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 76866]]

 
    Annual net benefit.................................        $137,150           $211,060          $528,330
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Note: The baseline data used are 5-year annual averages for production, consumption, prices, exports, and
  imports, as reported in the last row of table 1. The demand and supply elasticities used are -0.66 and 0.12,
  respectively (Jaime E. Malaga, Gary W. Williams, and Stephen W. Fuller, ``U.S.-Mexico fresh vegetable trade:
  the effects of trade liberalization and economic growth,'' Agricultural Economics, Vol. 26 (October 2001): 45-
  55).
\1\ Three-year (2004 to 2006) average total squash exports by Zambia.
\2\ Annual exports of fresh baby squash and baby courgettes to the United States, as projected by the Government
  of Zambia.
\3\ Two-and-one-half times the projected level of exports of baby squash and baby courgettes by Zambia to the
  United States.

    In all three scenarios, consumer welfare gains would outweigh 
producer welfare losses. Even in the third scenario, in which we assume 
imports would total 2\1/2\ times the level projected by the Government 
of Zambia, the decline in producer welfare would represent only about 
two-tenths of 1 percent of cash receipts received from the sale of 
domestic squash products. The price decline in this third scenario also 
would be only about two-tenths of 1 percent. Thus, our analysis 
indicates that U.S. entities will be unlikely to be significantly 
affected by this rule.

Impact on Small Entities

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established guidelines 
for determining which types of firms are considered to be small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This rule could affect 
U.S. producers of fresh vegetables (North American Industry 
Classification System 111219) and some importers of fresh squash. 
Vegetable-producing establishments are classified as small if their 
annual receipts are not more than $750,000.\6\ According to the 2002 
Census of Agriculture, there were 11,035 squash operations with 
production valued at $288 million. These facilities are considered to 
be small if their annual receipts are not more than $750,000. Over 98.6 
percent of these operations (10,883) are considered to be small while 
the rest (152) are considered large. Based on share of acreage (nearly 
60 percent of the total), the small operations had combined annual cash 
receipts of about $168 million and an average income of about $15,500, 
while the large operations had combined sales of about $120 million 
with an average income of about $787,900. As shown in table 3, the 
impact of potential squash imports on U.S. producers as a result of 
this rule will be small. The decrease in producer welfare per small 
entity is less than $47, or about 0.30 percent of average annual sales 
of small entities, when we assume 1,000 MT of squash are exported to 
the United States from Zambia (2\1/2\ times Zambia's projected annual 
exports).
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    \6\ SBA, Small business size standards matched to the North 
American Industry Classification System 2002, effective October 2007 
(http://www.sba.gov/size/sizetable2002.html).

Table 3--Economic Impact of Potential Squash Imports From Zambia on U.S.
    Small Entities, Assuming Annual Exports of 1,000 MT to the United
                          States, 2006 Dollars
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Total decline in producer welfare \1\  -$867,890
Decrease in welfare incurred by small  -$506,850
 entities \2\.
Average decrease per acre, small       -$12.18
 entities \3\.
Average decrease per small entity \4\  -$46.50
                                      ----------------------------------
    Average decrease as percentage of  -0.30 percent
     average sales, small entities
     \5\.
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\1\ From table 2.
\2\ Change in producer welfare multiplied by 58.4 percent, the
  percentage of total acreage planted by producers with annual revenues
  of not more than $750,000, that is, small entities. We assume that the
  change in producer welfare would be proportional to acreage share.
\3\ Decrease in producer welfare for small entities divided by 41,619,
  the number of acres planted by small entities.
\4\ Average decrease per acre multiplied by 3.82, the average number of
  acres per small entity.
\5\ Average decrease per small entity divided by $15,500, the average
  annual revenue per small entity.

    Again, table 3 considers a level of importation that is 2\1/2\ 
times the projected imports of baby squash and baby courgettes; at 
expected levels of importation, the expected economic impacts would be 
even smaller. In addition, this analysis assumes that gains to Zambian 
exporters do not come at the expense of any exporting countries; if any 
displacement occurs, the impact of the rule would be reduced further.
    Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Executive Order 12988

    This final rule allows baby squash and baby courgettes to be 
imported into the United States from Zambia. State and local laws and 
regulations regarding baby squash and baby courgettes imported under 
this rule will be preempted while the fruit is in foreign commerce. 
Fresh vegetables are generally imported for immediate distribution and 
sale to the consuming public, and remain in foreign commerce until sold 
to the ultimate consumer. The question of when foreign commerce ceases 
in other cases must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. No 
retroactive effect will be given to this rule, and this rule will not 
require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in 
court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), the information collection or recordkeeping requirements 
included in this rule have been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0579-0347.

E-Government Act Compliance

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is committed to 
compliance with the E-Government Act to promote the use of the Internet 
and other information technologies, to

[[Page 76867]]

provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes. For information 
pertinent to E-Government Act compliance related to this rule, please 
contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection 
Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 319

    Coffee, Cotton, Fruits, Imports, Logs, Nursery stock, Plant 
diseases and pests, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Rice, Vegetables.

0
Accordingly, we are amending 7 CFR part 319 as follows:

PART 319--FOREIGN QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 319 continues to read as follows:

    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.


0
2. A new Sec.  319.56-48 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  319.56-48  Conditions governing the entry of baby squash and baby 
courgettes from Zambia.

    Baby squash (Curcurbita maxima Duchesne) and baby courgettes (C. 
pepo. L.) measuring 10 to 25 millimeters (0.39 to 0.98 inches) in 
diameter and 60 to 105 millimeters (2.36 to 4.13 inches) in length may 
be imported into the continental United States from Zambia only under 
the conditions described in this section. These conditions are designed 
to prevent the introduction of the following quarantine pests: 
Aulacaspis tubercularis, Dacus bivitattus, Dacus ciliatus, Dacus 
frontalis, Dacus lounsburyii, Dacus punctatifrons, Dacus vertebratus, 
Diaphania indica, Helicoverpa armigera, and Spodoptera littoralis.
    (a) Approved greenhouses. The baby squash and baby courgettes must 
be grown in Zambia in insect-proof, pest-free greenhouses approved 
jointly by the Zambian national plant protection organization (NPPO) 
and APHIS.
    (1) The greenhouses must be equipped with double self-closing 
doors.
    (2) Any vents or openings in the greenhouses (other than the double 
self-closing doors) must be covered with 1.6 mm screening in order to 
prevent the entry of pests into the greenhouse.
    (3) The greenhouses must be inspected periodically by the Zambian 
NPPO or its approved designee to ensure that sanitary procedures are 
employed to exclude plant pests and diseases and to verify that the 
screening is intact.
    (4) The greenhouses also must be inspected monthly for the 
quarantine pests listed in the introductory text of this section by the 
Zambian NPPO or its approved designee, beginning 2 months before 
harvest and continuing for the duration of the harvest. APHIS must be 
allowed to inspect or monitor the greenhouses during this period as 
well. If, during these inspections, any of the quarantine pests listed 
in the introductory text of this section is found inside the 
greenhouse, the Zambian NPPO will immediately prohibit that greenhouse 
from exporting baby squash or baby courgettes to the United States and 
notify APHIS of the action. The prohibition will remain in effect until 
the Zambian NPPO and APHIS agree that the risk has been mitigated.
    (b) Trapping for Dacus spp. fruit flies. Trapping for Dacus 
bivitattus, Dacus ciliatus, Dacus frontalis, Dacus lounsburyii, Dacus 
punctatifrons, and Dacus vertebratus (referred to in paragraph (b) of 
this section, collectively, as Dacus spp. fruit flies) is required both 
inside and outside the greenhouse. Trapping must be conducted beginning 
2 months before harvest and continue for the duration of the harvest.
    (1) Inside the greenhouse. Approved fruit fly traps with an 
approved protein bait must be placed inside the greenhouses at a 
density of four traps per hectare, with a minimum of at least two traps 
per greenhouse. The traps must be serviced at least once every 7 days. 
If a Dacus spp. fruit fly is found in a trap inside the greenhouse, the 
Zambian NPPO will immediately prohibit that greenhouse from exporting 
baby squash or baby courgettes to the United States and notify APHIS of 
the action. The prohibition will remain in effect until the Zambian 
NPPO and APHIS agree that the risk has been mitigated.
    (2) Outside the greenhouse. (i) Approved fruit fly traps with an 
approved protein bait must be placed inside a buffer area 500 meters 
wide around the greenhouse at a density of 1 trap per 10 hectares, with 
a total of at least 10 traps. At least one of these traps must be 
placed near the greenhouse. These traps must be serviced at least once 
every 7 days.
    (ii) No shade trees are permitted within 10 meters of the entry 
door of the greenhouse, and no fruit fly host plants are permitted 
within 50 meters of the entry door of the greenhouse. While trapping is 
being conducted, no fruit fly host material (such as fruit) may be 
brought into the greenhouse or be discarded within 50 meters of the 
entry door of the greenhouse. Ground applications of an approved 
protein bait spray for the Dacus spp. fruit flies must be used on all 
shade trees and host plants within 200 meters surrounding the 
greenhouse every 6 to 10 days starting at least 30 days before and 
during harvest.
    (iii) Dacus spp. fruit fly prevalence levels lower than 0.7 flies 
per trap per week (F/T/W) must be maintained outside the greenhouse for 
the duration of the trapping. If the F/T/W is 0.7 or greater outside 
the greenhouse, the Zambian NPPO will immediately prohibit that 
greenhouse from exporting baby squash or baby courgettes to the United 
States and notify APHIS of the action. The prohibition will remain in 
effect until the Zambian NPPO and APHIS agree that the risk has been 
mitigated.
    (3) Records and monitoring. The Zambian NPPO or its approved 
designee must maintain records of trap placement, trap servicing, and 
any Dacus spp. captures. The Zambian NPPO must maintain an APHIS-
approved quality control program to audit the trapping program. APHIS 
must be given access to review 1 year's worth of trapping data for any 
approved greenhouse upon request.
    (c) Packinghouse procedures. Baby squash and baby courgettes must 
be packed within 24 hours of harvest in a pest-exclusionary 
packinghouse. No shade trees are permitted within 10 meters of the 
entry door of the packinghouse, and no fruit fly host plants are 
permitted within 50 meters of the entry door of the packinghouse. In 
addition, during packing, no fruit fly host material other than the 
baby squash and baby courgettes may be brought into the packinghouse, 
and no fruit fly host material may be discarded within 50 meters of the 
entry door of the packinghouse. The baby squash or baby courgettes must 
be safeguarded by a pest-proof screen or plastic tarpaulin while in 
transit to the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. The baby squash 
or baby courgettes must be packed in insect-proof cartons for shipment 
to the United States. These cartons must be labeled with the identity 
of the greenhouse. While packing the baby squash or baby courgettes for 
export to the United States, the packinghouse may only accept baby 
squash or baby courgettes from approved greenhouses. These safeguards 
must remain intact until the arrival of the baby squash or baby 
courgettes in the United States. If the safeguards do not remain 
intact, the

[[Page 76868]]

consignment will not be allowed to enter the United States.
    (d) Commercial consignments. Baby squash and baby courgettes from 
Zambia may be imported in commercial consignments only.
    (e) Phytosanitary certificate. Each consignment of baby squash and 
baby courgettes must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate of 
inspection issued by the Zambian NPPO with an additional declaration 
reading as follows: ``These baby squash or baby courgettes were 
produced in accordance with 7 CFR 319.56-48.''

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
number 0579-0347)


    Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of December 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30080 Filed 12-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P