[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23449-23459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10092]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 23449]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. APHIS-2010-0048]
RIN 0579-AD29


Citrus Canker, Citrus Greening, and Asian Citrus Psyllid; 
Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: We are amending the regulations governing the interstate 
movement of regulated articles from areas quarantined for citrus 
canker, citrus greening, and/or Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) to allow the 
movement of regulated nursery stock under a certificate to any area 
within the United States. In order to be eligible to move regulated 
nursery stock, a nursery must enter into a compliance agreement with 
APHIS that specifies the conditions under which the nursery stock must 
be grown, maintained, and shipped. We are also amending the regulations 
that allow the movement of regulated nursery stock from an area 
quarantined for ACP, but not for citrus greening, to amend the existing 
regulatory requirements for the issuance of limited permits for the 
interstate movement of the nursery stock. We are making these changes 
on an immediate basis in order to provide nursery stock producers in 
areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, or ACP with the 
ability to ship regulated nursery stock to markets within the United 
States that would otherwise be unavailable to them due to the 
prohibitions and restrictions contained in the regulations while 
continuing to provide adequate safeguards to prevent the spread of the 
three pests into currently unaffected areas of the United States.

DATES: This interim rule is effective April 27, 2011. We will consider 
all comments that receive on or before June 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2010-0048 to submit or view comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of 
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2010-0048, 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 
Docket No. APHIS-2010-0048.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this 
docket on the Regulations.gov Web site (see link above) or 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. Osama El-Lissy, Director, 
Emergency and Domestic Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 160, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 734-5459; or Ms. Deborah L. McPartlan, 
Emergency and Domestic Programs, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 160, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238; (301) 734-5356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under section 412(a) of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et 
seq., referred to below as the PPA), the Secretary of Agriculture may 
prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any plant 
or plant product, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or 
restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of a plant pest 
within the United States. Under the PPA, the Secretary may also issue 
regulations requiring plants and plant products moved in interstate 
commerce to be subject to remedial measures determined necessary to 
prevent the spread of the pest, or requiring the plants or plant 
products to be accompanied by a permit issued by the Secretary prior to 
movement.
    Citrus canker is a plant disease that is caused by the bacterium 
Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri that affects plants and plant parts of 
citrus and citrus relatives (Family Rutaceae). Citrus canker can cause 
defoliation and other serious damage to the leaves and twigs of 
susceptible plants. It can also cause lesions on the fruit of infected 
plants, which render the fruit unmarketable, and cause infected fruit 
to drop from the trees before reaching maturity. The aggressive A 
(Asiatic) strain of citrus canker can infect susceptible plants rapidly 
and lead to extensive economic losses in commercial citrus-producing 
areas. Citrus canker is known to be present in the United States in the 
State of Florida.
    The regulations to prevent the interstate spread of citrus canker 
are contained in ``Subpart--Citrus Canker'' (7 CFR 301.75-1 through 
301.75-14, referred to below as the citrus canker regulations). The 
citrus canker regulations designate the State of Florida as a 
quarantined area, and restrict the interstate movement of regulated 
articles from and through this area. Regulated articles are plants and 
plant parts of all species, clones, cultivars, strains, varieties, or 
hybrids of the genera Citrus and Fortunella, and all clones, cultivars, 
strains, varieties and hybrids of the species Clausena lansium and 
Poncirus trifoliata. Plants and plant parts include, among other 
articles, fruit, seed, and nursery stock. The provisions of the citrus 
canker regulations that pertain to the interstate movement of regulated 
nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker are found in 
Sec.  301.75-6.
    Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing disease of citrus, is 
considered to be one of the most serious citrus diseases in the world. 
Citrus greening is a bacterial disease, caused by strains of the 
bacterial pathogen ``Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,'' that attacks 
the vascular system of host plants. The pathogen is phloem-limited,

[[Page 23450]]

inhabiting the food-conducting tissue of the host plant, and causes 
yellow shoots, blotchy mottling and chlorosis, reduced foliage, and tip 
dieback of citrus plants. Citrus greening greatly reduces production, 
destroys the economic value of the fruit, and can kill trees. Once 
infected, there is no cure for a tree with citrus greening. In areas of 
the world where the disease is endemic, citrus trees decline and die 
within a few years and may never produce usable fruit. Citrus greening 
was first detected in the United States in Miami-Dade County, FL, in 
2005, and is known to be present in the United States in Florida and 
Georgia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, two parishes in 
Louisiana, and two counties in South Carolina.
    The bacterial pathogen causing citrus greening can be transmitted 
by grafting, and under laboratory conditions, by parasitic plants. 
There also is some evidence that seed transmission may occur. The 
pathogen can also be transmitted by two insect vectors in the family 
Psyllidae: Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), 
and Trioza erytreae (del Guercio), the African citrus psyllid. ACP can 
also cause economic damage to citrus in groves and nurseries by direct 
feeding. Both adults and nymphs feed on young foliage, depleting the 
sap and causing galling or curling of leaves. High populations feeding 
on a citrus shoot can kill the growing tip. ACP is currently present in 
Alabama, American Samoa,\1\ Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and portions 
of Arizona, California, and South Carolina. Regular surveys of domestic 
commercial citrus-producing areas indicate that the African citrus 
psyllid is not present in the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ An established population of ACP was discovered in American 
Samoa in October 2010, and the entire island has been designated a 
quarantined area for ACP through administrative action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The regulations to prevent the interstate spread of citrus greening 
and ACP are contained in ``Subpart-Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus 
Psyllid'' (7 CFR 301.76 through 301.76-11, referred to below as the 
citrus greening and ACP regulations). The citrus greening and ACP 
regulations quarantine the States of Florida and Georgia, Puerto Rico, 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, two parishes in Louisiana, and two counties in 
South Carolina due to the presence of citrus greening, and quarantine 
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto 
Rico, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and portions of Arizona, 
California, and South Carolina due to the presence of ACP. The 
regulations also place restrictions on the interstate movement of 
regulated articles from quarantined areas. Regulated articles include 
all plants and plant parts, except fruit, of host species within the 
Family Rutaceae.
    The provisions of the citrus greening and ACP regulations that 
pertain to the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from 
areas quarantined for citrus greening and/or ACP are found in 
Sec. Sec.  301.76-6 and 301.76-7. Section 301.76-6 contains specific 
conditions for the issuance of certificates and limited permits for 
regulated articles moved interstate from an area quarantined for ACP, 
but not for citrus greening. Section 301.76-7 contains specific 
conditions for the issuance of certificates and limited permits for 
regulated articles moved interstate from an area quarantined for citrus 
greening.

Current Restrictions and Prohibitions on the Interstate Movement of 
Regulated Nursery Stock From Areas Quarantined for Citrus Canker, 
Citrus Greening, and/or ACP

    As we mentioned earlier in this document, the provisions of the 
citrus canker regulations that pertain to the interstate movement of 
regulated nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker are 
found in Sec.  301.75-6. This section prohibits the interstate movement 
of regulated nursery stock from a quarantined area, and prior to the 
publication of this interim rule, provided for only two exceptions to 
this general prohibition. The first exception allowed the interstate 
movement of kumquat plants, which have a natural resistance to citrus 
canker, in accordance with a protocol designed to ensure their freedom 
from citrus canker prior to movement. The other exception allowed 
regulated nursery stock to be moved interstate for immediate export.
    Similarly, Sec.  301.76-7 contains specific conditions for the 
issuance of certificates and limited permits for regulated articles 
moved interstate from areas quarantined for citrus greening, and 
prohibits the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from such 
areas. Prior to issuance of this interim rule, there was only one 
exception in Sec.  301.76-7 to this general prohibition on interstate 
movement: Nursery stock destined for immediate export and shipped under 
a protocol designed to ensure that it does not spread citrus greening 
into currently unaffected areas of the United States.
    In contrast, our approach towards the movement of regulated nursery 
stock from areas quarantined for ACP, but not for citrus greening, has 
differed. This is because, while ACP can damage citrus nursery stock, 
its primary risk to nursery stock is as a vector of the bacterial 
pathogen that causes citrus greening. The risk that the artificial 
spread of ACP poses to currently unaffected areas of the United States, 
then, lies in its potential to introduce citrus greening to those 
areas.
    Therefore, the citrus greening and ACP regulations currently allow 
the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from areas 
quarantined for ACP, but not for citrus greening, provided that the 
nursery stock has been subject to remedial measures to prevent ACP from 
moving with the nursery stock. Specifically, Sec.  301.76-6 allows for 
the movement of any regulated article from an area quarantined for ACP 
to any State, provided that, among other conditions, the articles are 
treated with methyl bromide and shipped in a container that has been 
sealed with an agricultural seal placed by an inspector after 
treatment.
    In addition, prior to publication of this interim rule, Sec.  
301.76-6 allowed for the movement of regulated nursery stock to areas 
other than commercial citrus-producing areas \2\ under a limited permit 
from an area quarantined for ACP, but not for citrus greening, provided 
that, among other conditions, the articles were treated before shipment 
with certain approved soil drenches and foliar sprays, inspected, and 
shipped in sealed containers. The citrus greening and ACP regulations 
have otherwise prohibited all other interstate movement of regulated 
nursery stock.
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    \2\ Commercial citrus-producing areas are American Samoa, 
Arizona, California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, Northern 
Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Requests for a Systems Approach Under Which Citrus Nursery Stock May Be 
Moved Interstate

    The congressional findings set out in section 402 of the PPA 
describe USDA's responsibility to facilitate interstate commerce in 
agricultural products and other commodities that pose a risk of 
harboring plant pest in ways that will reduce, to the extent 
practicable, the risk of dissemination of plant pests. It is APHIS' 
policy to impose restrictions on the interstate movement of host 
articles that are the least restrictive measures necessary to prevent 
the dissemination of plant pests within the United States.
    For several years, various individuals and entities have requested 
that APHIS implement a systems approach that

[[Page 23451]]

could serve as the basis for allowing the interstate movement of citrus 
nursery stock to any area of the United States from areas quarantined 
for citrus canker, citrus greening, and ACP.
    This request was first made by commenters during the comment period 
for an interim rule that was published in the Federal Register on March 
22, 2007 and effective on March 16, 2007 (72 FR 13423-13428, Docket No. 
APHIS-2007-0032) that explicitly prohibited the interstate movement of 
citrus nursery stock, with the two limited exceptions mentioned earlier 
in this document, from the State of Florida. The commenters stated 
that, in lieu of such a general prohibition, APHIS should recognize the 
Citrus Nursery Stock Certification Program, established by the State of 
Florida in December 2006 to prevent the spread of citrus canker and 
citrus greening within and from that State, as sufficient to allow the 
interstate movement of nursery stock produced in that program.
    In response to those comments, we examined the program thoroughly 
and determined that certain of its provisions did not adequately 
address the risk of the spread of citrus canker or citrus greening from 
Florida. We subsequently communicated this determination to the Florida 
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), highlighting 
those aspects of the approach that we considered inadequate.
    In response, FDACS requested APHIS' assistance in crafting a 
systems approach that would provide adequate phytosanitary measures to 
allow the interstate movement of citrus nursery stock from areas 
quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, and ACP. To this end, 
APHIS convened a technical working group, which recommended sourcing 
from a pest-exclusionary production facility and testing for all 
germplasm and budwood destined for propagation in nurseries within the 
State, construction and maintenance of pest-exclusionary production 
facilities and buffer zones, safeguarding, routine inspections, 
cleaning and disinfection protocols, and other measures that would be 
sufficient to address the concerns raised in our earlier evaluation. As 
a result of this collaboration with APHIS, FDACS presented a draft 
systems approach to us for evaluation in December 2008. The mitigation 
measures proposed in that systems approach appeared consistent with the 
recommendations of the technical working group.
    However, because the movement of citrus nursery stock is considered 
to be a high-risk pathway for citrus canker and citrus greening, and 
because the introduction of citrus canker or citrus greening into 
currently unaffected commercial citrus-producing areas could have a 
lasting and deleterious effect on the U.S. industry as a whole, we did 
not initiate rulemaking at that time to establish such a systems 
approach. Rather, we decided to prepare an analysis of the risks 
associated with the interstate movement of citrus nursery stock from 
areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, and ACP.

Risk Management Analysis

    APHIS has prepared a risk management analysis (RMA). The document, 
titled ``Interstate Movement of Citrus and Other Rutaceous Plants for 
Planting to Non-Quarantine Areas in Any State,'' analyzes the movement 
of citrus nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker, 
citrus greening, or ACP as a pathway for the introduction of citrus 
canker, citrus greening, and ACP into other areas of the United States. 
Consistent with the findings of the technical working group, the 
analysis also finds that a systems approach is necessary in order to 
mitigate the risk associated with such movement.
    Because the nature of the three pests and the manner in which they 
are introduced into nursery stock vary, the exact nature of the 
necessary mitigation measures in the systems approach will 
correspondingly vary based on whether the nursery stock is produced in 
an area quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, or ACP, or a 
combination of these three pests. However, the analysis finds that each 
such systems approach must be predicated upon two critical elements: 
Pest exclusion and system monitoring.
    The analysis describes pest exclusion as consisting of the 
following core components: Testing the citrus nursery stock that will 
be moved interstate for citrus greening, certifying the nursery stock 
as free of citrus greening, growing the nursery stock in approved 
structures that are constructed to exclude introduction of the relevant 
pests, maintaining a controlled space around the structure that is free 
of citrus, and safeguarding the nursery stock within the structure to 
prevent pest introduction.
    The analysis describes system monitoring as consisting of the 
following core components: Inspecting the nursery stock within the 
structure on a routine basis, conducting an unannounced inspection at 
least once yearly, testing a statistically valid sample of the plants 
within the nursery for citrus greening on a recurring schedule, 
surveying the nursery regularly for quarantine pests, responding to 
breaches of the facility with appropriate remediation, and maintaining 
quality assurance, including but not limited to accurate recordkeeping 
and labeling, as well as standard operating procedures for cleaning and 
disinfection.
    The RMA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our 
reading room (see ADDRESSES at the beginning of this document.) In 
addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. We request 
comment on the analysis, especially any scientific studies that may be 
pertinent.

Protocol Document

    Based on the determination of the RMA that a systems approach is 
necessary to mitigate the risk associated with the interstate movement 
of citrus nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker, 
citrus greening, and/or ACP, APHIS prepared a draft protocol document 
that used core components suggested in the RMA as the basis for 
standards and requirements that a nursery would have to meet in order 
to move citrus nursery stock interstate from such areas. APHIS then 
shared the draft protocol with nursery stock producers and State 
agricultural officials. In response to the input we received, we 
revised some of the conditions in the protocol document to provide 
alternative standards or requirements that were equivalent to the core 
components identified in the RMA. By meeting the standards and 
requirements, a nursery would be able to obtain a certificate or 
limited permit \3\ for the interstate movement of citrus nursery stock 
from areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, or ACP.
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    \3\ APHIS authorizes certificates to be issued when an article 
can safely be moved interstate from a quarantine area without any 
risk of spreading a quarantine pest, and limited permits when, in 
order to address a risk of plant pest dissemination, limits must be 
placed on the distribution or utilization of the article.
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    The protocol document is divided into five sections. Section I 
provides general requirements. Under this section, each nursery that 
wishes to obtain a certificate to move regulated nursery stock 
interstate must enter into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which 
it agrees to observe the protocol's minimum construction standards for 
a pest-exclusionary production facility; sourcing and certification 
requirements for all propagative material grown in the facility; 
cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements for the

[[Page 23452]]

facility; labeling requirements for the nursery stock maintained in the 
facility; and recordkeeping and inspection requirements.
    The protocol also contains additional conditions for interstate 
movement of regulated nursery stock that the nursery would have to 
agree to observe; each set of additional conditions addresses disease 
risks associated with the area in which the nursery is located: Section 
II of the protocol document sets forth additional requirements for 
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from areas quarantined 
for citrus canker; section III, for areas quarantined for ACP; and 
section IV, for areas quarantined for citrus greening.
    Section V of the protocol provides conditions for the issuance of 
limited permits for the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock 
from areas that are quarantined for ACP, but not citrus greening. These 
conditions match the requirements of Sec.  301.76-6 in this interim 
rule. Our changes to Sec.  301.76-6 are discussed later in this rule.
    The protocol document may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site 
or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES at the beginning of this 
document). In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to 
the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. It is also 
available on the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Web site at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus/index.shtml.
    We believe that the procedures set forth in the protocol document 
will provide the necessary safeguards to allow the interstate movement 
of citrus nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker, 
citrus greening, or ACP to any area of the United States. It may, 
however, be necessary for us to propose to update the protocol document 
as circumstances warrant. We envision that these proposed updates will 
usually be nonsubstantive, and will be intended to further delineate 
the protocol's provisions or provide additional options to the 
mitigation strategies currently contained in the document. APHIS 
believes that the ability to revise the protocol document is necessary 
because new scientific information on the risks associated with ACP, 
citrus greening, and citrus canker continues to be published at a rapid 
pace. As new information comes to light, APHIS must be able to adjust 
its quarantine protocols in a flexible manner. If we are proposing 
substantive modifications, however, we will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register containing the nature of and rationale for these 
proposed revisions, and requesting public comment. In such instances, 
if, after the close of the comment period, we continue to consider it 
necessary to update the protocol document, we will do so accordingly. 
We request comment on this approach and whether it provides sufficient 
avenue for input from the public.
    Whenever we update the protocol document, we will notify each State 
agricultural official and holder of a compliance agreement of the 
changes, and compliance agreements will be updated to reflect the 
updated protocol. It will be necessary for those operating under a 
compliance agreement to sign the updated agreement in order to continue 
to be eligible to continue shipping citrus nursery stock interstate. 
Other interested parties can receive notification of these updates by 
subscribing to the PPQ stakeholder registry at https://web01.aphis.usda.gov/PPQStakeWeb2.nsf.

Regulatory Changes

    We are amending the citrus canker and citrus greening and ACP 
regulations to reflect the findings of the RMA and the provisions of 
the protocol document and allow the interstate movement of regulated 
nursery stock to any area of the United States, under certain 
conditions. To accommodate these amendments, we are also amending 
several other provisions of the citrus canker and citrus greening and 
ACP regulations that would otherwise have been in conflict with the 
amendments.

Citrus Canker Regulations

    As we mentioned earlier in this document, the provisions of the 
citrus canker regulations that pertain to the interstate movement of 
regulated nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker are 
found in Sec.  301.75-6. Prior to the publication of this interim rule, 
paragraph (a) of Sec.  301.75-6 explicitly prohibited the interstate 
movement of regulated nursery stock from a quarantined area, unless the 
nursery stock was moved in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of the 
section. Paragraph (b) allowed the interstate movement of kumquats in 
accordance with a protocol designed to ensure their freedom from citrus 
canker prior to movement. Paragraph (c) stated that nursery stock 
produced in a nursery located in a quarantined area that is not 
eligible for movement under paragraph (b) of could be moved interstate 
only for immediate export.
    We are redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (d), and adding a 
new paragraph (c) in its place. This new paragraph (c) of Sec.  301.75-
6 provides that regulated nursery stock produced in a nursery within a 
quarantined area may be moved interstate to any area within the United 
States, if all of the following conditions are met:
     The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has 
entered into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which it agrees to 
meet the relevant construction standards, sourcing and certification 
requirements, cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, 
labeling requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements 
specified in the protocol document described above. In addition to 
being available on the APHIS Web site, the protocol document will be 
provided to the person at the time he or she enters into the compliance 
agreement. The compliance agreement may also specify additional 
conditions determined by APHIS to be necessary to prevent the 
dissemination of citrus canker under which the nursery stock must be 
grown, maintained, and shipped in order to obtain a certificate for its 
movement. The compliance agreement will specify that APHIS may amend 
the agreement.
     An inspector has determined that the nursery has adhered 
to all terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
     The nursery stock is accompanied by a certificate issued 
in accordance with Sec.  301.75-12.
     The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed 
container that is clearly labeled with the certificate and is moved 
interstate in that container. We are requiring such containers in order 
to safeguard the nursery stock against wind and rain events that may 
lead to the introduction of citrus canker.
     A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's 
copy of the accompanying waybill.
    Because of this new paragraph (c), there are now two paragraphs in 
Sec.  301.75-6 which allow nursery stock to be moved interstate for 
purposes other than immediate export. As a result, we are amending 
newly designated paragraph (d) to provide that nursery stock that is 
not eligible for movement under either of the paragraphs may be moved 
interstate only for immediate export. For a similar reason, we are also 
amending paragraph (a) of Sec.  301.75-6 to authorize interstate 
movement of nursery stock under the conditions in any of the subsequent 
paragraphs in the section.
    The certificate accompanying the container and accompanying waybill 
of the nursery stock being moved must be attached in a manner that 
varies from the general requirements for attachment and disposition of 
certificates contained

[[Page 23453]]

in the citrus canker regulations. Accordingly, we are amending 
paragraph (b) of Sec.  301.75-12, which contains general requirements 
for attachment and disposition of certificates, to exempt nursery stock 
moved under the conditions of paragraph (c) of Sec.  301.75-6 from 
those general requirements.
    Prior to the publication of this interim rule, the citrus canker 
regulations stated that we would cancel a compliance agreement if an 
inspector found that the person who entered into the compliance 
agreement had failed to comply with the regulations. However, under 
paragraph (c) of Sec.  301.75-6, the conditions under which a nursery 
must grow, maintain, and ship nursery stock in order to obtain a 
certificate for its movement to any area of the United States are found 
not in the citrus canker regulations themselves, but in the compliance 
agreement that the nursery has entered into with APHIS. Accordingly, 
failure by the nursery to comply with any term or condition of the 
compliance agreement could present a risk that regulated nursery stock 
at the facility becomes infected with citrus canker and that the 
movement of the regulated nursery stock presents a pathway for the 
artificial spread of the disease to unaffected areas of the United 
States. Therefore, we are amending paragraph (b) of Sec.  301.75-13, 
which contains our provisions for cancellation of a compliance 
agreement, to state that failure to comply with any term or condition 
of the compliance agreement itself will also result in cancellation of 
the compliance agreement.
    Finally, in Sec.  301.75-1, the definition of compliance agreement 
has described them as being between APHIS and persons engaged in the 
business of growing or handling regulated articles. However, because of 
the manner in which compliance agreements are used within paragraph (c) 
of Sec.  301.75-6, we consider it necessary to expand the scope of the 
definition so that it also refers to persons engaged in maintaining, 
processing, packing, and moving regulated articles. We are amending the 
definition of compliance agreement accordingly.

Citrus Greening Regulations

    As we mentioned earlier in this document, Sec.  301.76-7 contains 
specific conditions for the issuance of certificates and limited 
permits for regulated articles moved interstate from an area 
quarantined for citrus greening.
    Prior to the publication of this interim rule, the only conditions 
for the movement of regulated articles from an area quarantined for 
citrus greening were found in paragraph (a) of Sec.  301.76-7. This 
paragraph allowed for the issuance of limited permits to move regulated 
nursery stock interstate, if the nursery stock was destined for 
immediate export and shipped under a protocol designed to ensure that 
it did not present a pathway for the introduction of citrus greening to 
currently unaffected areas of the United States. To clarify that this 
was the only condition under which regulated articles could be moved 
interstate from an area quarantined for citrus greening, paragraph (b) 
of Sec.  301.76-7 stated that, except for nursery stock for which a 
limited permit has been issued in accordance with Sec.  301.76-7(a), no 
other regulated article may be moved interstate from an area 
quarantined for citrus greening.
    We are adding a new paragraph (a) to Sec.  301.76-7 and 
redesignating paragraphs (a) and (b) as paragraphs (b) and (c), 
respectively. The new paragraph (a) provides that, in addition to the 
general conditions for issuance of a certificate, an inspector or 
person operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate 
for interstate movement of regulated nursery stock to any State if all 
of the following conditions are met:
     The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has 
entered into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which it agrees to 
meet the relevant construction standards, sourcing and certification 
requirements, cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, 
labeling requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements 
specified in the PPQ protocol document. In addition to being available 
on the APHIS Web site, the protocol document will be provided to the 
person at the time he or she enters into the compliance agreement. The 
compliance agreement may also specify additional conditions determined 
by APHIS to be necessary in order to prevent the dissemination of 
citrus greening under which the nursery stock must be grown, 
maintained, and shipped in order to obtain a certificate for its 
movement. The compliance agreement will also specify that APHIS may 
amend the agreement.
     An inspector has determined that the nursery has adhered 
to all terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
     The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed 
container that is clearly labeled with the certificate and is moved 
interstate in that container.
     A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's 
copy of the accompanying waybill.
    Because both paragraphs (a) and (b) of Sec.  301.76-7 now contain 
conditions for the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from 
an area quarantined for citrus greening, we are amending newly 
redesignated paragraph (c) of Sec.  301.76-7 to specify that apart from 
nursery stock moved in accordance with either of those paragraphs, no 
other regulated article may be moved interstate from an area 
quarantined for citrus greening.
    These revisions to Sec.  301.76-7 also require us to make certain 
nonsubstantive changes to other sections of the citrus greening 
regulations.
    We currently require all regulated nursery stock offered for 
commercial sale within an area quarantined for citrus greening to have 
an APHIS-approved label on which a statement alerting consumers to 
Federal prohibitions regarding the interstate movement of the article 
is prominently and legibly displayed, unless the regulations grant an 
exemption from the requirement. We are amending Sec.  301.76-4, which 
contains the labeling requirement and the exemptions from it, to grant 
such an exemption to plants moved under paragraph (a) of Sec.  301.76-
7, since the interstate movement of such plants is not prohibited.
    We are also amending the conditions in the citrus greening 
regulations that will lead us to cancel a compliance agreement. We 
modeled these conditions on those in the citrus canker regulations, and 
are amending them for the same reason we are amending those in the 
citrus canker regulations.

ACP Regulations

    As we mentioned earlier in this document, Sec.  301.76-6 of the ACP 
and citrus greening regulations contains specific conditions for the 
interstate movement of regulated articles from areas quarantined for 
ACP, but not for citrus greening. Prior to the publication of this 
interim rule, the only conditions under which a certificate would be 
issued for the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock were 
found in paragraph (a) of Sec.  301.76-6. The paragraph allows a 
certificate to be issued for the interstate movement of any regulated 
article, including citrus nursery stock, provided that:
     The article is treated with methyl bromide in accordance 
with 7 CFR part 305. That part contains our phytosanitary treatment 
regulations, and sets out standards for treatments required in 7 CFR 
part 301.
     The article is shipped in a container that has been sealed 
with an agricultural seal placed by an inspector.

[[Page 23454]]

     The container that will be moved interstate is clearly 
labeled with the certificate.
     A copy of the certificate will be attached to the 
consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill.
    Because methyl bromide is phytotoxic, that is, deadly or damaging 
to propagative plants and plant parts, producers have informed us that 
few plants have been moved under these conditions.
    In addition to the conditions in paragraph (a), prior to the 
issuance of this interim rule, the only other conditions for interstate 
movement of regulated nursery stock from an area quarantined for ACP 
were found in paragraph (b) of Sec.  301.76-6; this paragraph provided 
conditions for the issuance of limited permits for such movement to 
areas other than commercial citrus-producing areas.
    We are redesignating this paragraph as paragraph (c). We are also 
substantively revising the conditions for issuance of such a limited 
permit. We discuss the revised conditions, and the considerations that 
led us to revise them, at length below.
    To accommodate this redesignation, we are also redesignating the 
previous paragraph (c), which contains conditions for the issuance of 
limited permits for regulated articles intended for consumption, for 
use as apparel or as a similar personal accessory, or for decorative 
use, as new paragraph (d).
    We are adding a new paragraph (b) to Sec.  301.76-6. This is 
because, based on the findings of the RMA, we have determined that we 
can provide another set of conditions for issuance of a certificate for 
the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from areas 
quarantined only for ACP. These conditions are:
     The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has 
entered into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which it agrees to 
meet the relevant construction standards, sourcing and certification 
requirements, cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, 
labeling requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements 
specified in the PPQ protocol document. In addition to being available 
on the APHIS Web site, the protocol document will be provided to the 
person at the time he or she enters into the compliance agreement. The 
compliance agreement may also specify additional conditions determined 
by APHIS to be necessary in order to prevent the spread of ACP under 
which the nursery stock must be grown, maintained, and shipped in order 
to obtain a certificate for its movement. For example, we may require 
additional safeguarding measures beyond those specified in the protocol 
document for facilities located in areas with high population densities 
of ACP. The compliance agreement will also specify that APHIS may amend 
the agreement.
     An inspector determines that the nursery has adhered to 
all terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
     The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed 
container that is clearly labeled with the certificate, and is moved 
interstate in that container. We are requiring a sealed container in 
order to safeguard the nursery stock against possible reintroduction of 
ACP.
     A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's 
copy of the accompanying waybill.
    As we mentioned above, newly redesignated paragraph (c) of Sec.  
301.76-6 contains conditions for issuance of a limited permit for 
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock.
    Prior to the publication of this interim rule, this paragraph 
provided for the issuance of limited permits for the interstate 
movement of regulated nursery stock to areas of the United States other 
than American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and those portions of 
Arizona, California, and South Carolina not quarantined due to the 
presence of ACP or citrus greening, if:
     The nursery stock is treated for ACP with an APHIS-
approved soil drench or in-ground granular application no more than 30 
days and no fewer than 20 days before shipment, followed by an APHIS-
approved foliar spray no more than 10 days before shipment. All 
treatments must be applied according to their Environmental Protection 
Agency label, including directions on application, restrictions on 
place of application and other restrictions, and precautions, and 
including statements pertaining to Worker Protection Standards.
     The nursery stock is inspected by an inspector in 
accordance with Sec.  301.76-9 and found free of ACP.
     The nursery stock is affixed prior to movement with a 
plastic or metal tag on which the statement ``Limited permit: USDA-
APHIS-PPQ. Not for distribution in American Samoa, Northern Mariana 
Islands, or those portions of AZ, CA, and SC not quarantined due to the 
presence of Asian citrus psyllid or citrus greening'' is prominently 
and legibly displayed. If the nursery stock is destined for movement or 
sale in boxes or containers, the statement may be printed on the box or 
container, or printed on a label permanently affixed to the box or 
container, provided that, in either case, the statement is prominently 
and legibly displayed.
     The nursery stock is moved in a container sealed with an 
agricultural seal placed by an inspector.
     This container also prominently and legibly displays the 
statement of the limited permit.
     A copy of the limited permit is attached to the 
consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill.
     The nursery stock is moved in accordance with the 
conditions specified on the limited permit to the location specified on 
the permit.
    The conditions in the regulations before this interim rule were 
established in a prior interim rule published in the Federal Register 
and effective on June 17, 2010 (75 FR 34322-34336, Docket No. APHIS-
2008-0015).\4\ Several commenters on the June 2010 rule stated that 
certain of the conditions unnecessarily hindered interstate commerce. 
Two commenters stated that the 10-day timeframe for the application of 
soil drenches or granular applications was impracticable for smaller 
producers, who often did not know the expected date of interstate 
movement of an article that far in advance. While recognizing the need 
for optimal absorption of the soil drench, the commenters requested a 
longer window of time for the application of that treatment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Section 301.76-4 of that rule was effective on September 15, 
2010, rather than June 17, 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, two commenters stated that, by requiring the articles to 
be sealed in a shipping container and inspectors to seal each container 
with an agricultural seal prior to movement, we were, in effect, 
limiting shipment of the articles to normal business hours (8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). The commenters stated that their 
shipments traditionally have tended to occur overnight or in the early 
morning. Because of these economic considerations, the commenters 
questioned whether the conditions were strictly necessary, especially 
for nursery stock that is not destined for an area in which ACP could 
become established.
    In addition, around the same time that these comments were 
received, State agricultural officials from several commercial citrus-
producing States contacted APHIS on behalf of their producers to 
suggest a different scope and timing for inspections. The officials 
stated that inspections of the whole nursery at set intervals would 
prove more practicable than inspections of plants in the days preceding 
shipment.
    In order to respond to these comments and requests, we first 
reviewed the

[[Page 23455]]

relevant scientific literature. In particular, we evaluated a 2008 
presentation at the International Research Conference on Huanglongbing 
by P.T. Yamamoto et al., which examined the efficacy of various 
insecticides to control ACP.\5\ Yamamoto and his colleagues found that 
the residual effect of imidacloprid and other soil drenches on nursery 
stock is considerably longer than previously thought--in certain 
instances, as long as 105 days. Yamamoto's research suggests that soil 
drenches can be applied up to 90 days and no less than 30 days prior to 
shipment, provided that they are coupled with subsequent foliar sprays 
no more than 10 days before shipment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Yamamoto, P.T., et al. 2008. Efficiency of Insecticides to 
Control Diaphorina citri, Vector of Huanglongbing. T. Gottwald, W. 
Dixon, J. Graham, P. Berger, eds. International research conference 
on Huanglongbing. Plant Management Network International, Orlando, 
Florida. Copies available from the individuals listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on Yamamoto's findings, we evaluated the risk of 
dissemination of ACP that would be associated with a regulatory scheme 
for the movement of citrus nursery stock from ACP quarantined areas to 
areas other than commercial citrus-producing areas under which 
inspections of the entire nursery for ACP occurred at set intervals, 
soil drenches could be applied up to 90 days before shipment, and 
plants were not required to be shipped in sealed containers.
    We determined that, under the provisions of this regulatory scheme, 
the risk that ACP would be introduced to the plants prior to shipment 
would be commensurately greater. Such introduction, however, would not 
necessarily lead to further dissemination of ACP within the United 
States. Rather, the risk of such dissemination would be directly 
correlated to whether the nursery stock transited through commercial 
citrus-producing areas, that is, areas where host articles are 
prevalent, and climatic conditions are conducive to ACP becoming 
established in significant population densities. If the nursery stock 
were to transit such areas, as additional mitigation measures, it would 
need to be inspected and found free of ACP no more than 72 hours before 
shipment and would need to be shipped in a container sealed with an 
agricultural seal affixed by an inspector; moreover, the seal would 
have to remain affixed throughout transit and be removed by an 
inspector at its destination.
    Accordingly, paragraph (c) of Sec.  301.76-6 establishes two 
separate sets of conditions for issuance of a limited permit for 
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from areas quarantined 
for ACP, but not for citrus greening.
    In addition to all general conditions for issuance of a limited 
permit, paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(1)(vi) provide that, if the 
nursery stock will not be moved through a commercial citrus-producing 
area (American Samoa, Arizona, California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands), an inspector or person operating under a compliance agreement 
may issue a permit for the interstate movement of regulated nursery 
stock to areas of the United States other than Northern Mariana Islands 
or those portions of Arizona and California that are not quarantined 
due to the presence of ACP or citrus greening, if:
     The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has 
entered into a compliance agreement with APHIS in accordance with Sec.  
301.76-8.
     All citrus nursery stock at the nursery has been inspected 
by an inspector every 30 days, and any findings of ACP during an 
inspection have been reported to APHIS immediately.
     The nursery stock is treated for ACP with an APHIS-
approved soil drench or in-ground granular application no more than 90 
days and no fewer than 30 days before shipment, followed by an APHIS-
approved foliar spray no more than 10 days before shipment. All 
treatments must be applied according to their EPA label, including 
directions on application, restrictions on place of application and 
other restrictions, and precautions, and including statements 
pertaining to Worker Protection Standards.
     The nursery stock is affixed prior to movement with a 
plastic or metal tag on which the statement ``Limited permit: USDA-
APHIS-PPQ. Not for distribution in Northern Mariana Islands or those 
portions of AZ and CA not quarantined due to the presence of Asian 
citrus psyllid or citrus greening'' is prominently and legibly 
displayed on the obverse, and adequate information as determined by 
APHIS regarding the identity of the nursery stock and its source of 
production to conduct traceback to the nursery in which the nursery 
stock was produced is prominently and legibly printed on the reverse. 
If the nursery stock is destined for movement or sale in boxes or 
containers, the statement and the identifying information may be 
printed on the box or container, or printed on a label permanently 
affixed to the box or container, provided that, in either case, the 
statement and the identifying information are prominently and legibly 
displayed.
     A copy of the limited permit will be attached to the 
consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill.
     The nursery stock is shipped in accordance with the 
conditions specified on the limited permit to the destination specified 
on the permit.
    We are requiring that the nursery enter into a compliance agreement 
with APHIS in order to ensure, among other things, that the nursery 
maintains records of inspections and treatments for APHIS review.
    We are requiring the tag on which the limited permit statement is 
printed to have adequate information as determined by APHIS regarding 
the identity of the nursery stock and its source of production to 
conduct traceback to the nursery in which the nursery stock was 
produced because, as we noted above, there is some risk under these 
regulatory provisions that ACP will be introduced to the nursery stock 
at the nursery. In the event that the soil drenches and foliar sprays 
do not achieve 100 percent mortality of this ACP prior to movement, 
there is a corresponding degree of risk that live ACP may be on the 
plants when they reach their point of destination. In such instances, 
APHIS will use the information on the tags in order to review the 
recordkeeping of the nursery in which the nursery stock was produced. 
While this review is ongoing, we will also prohibit the nursery from 
shipping articles interstate.
    Finally, we are removing the requirement that the nursery stock be 
shipped in a sealed container because this regulatory scheme focuses 
not on the possibility that a few ACP may be reintroduced into the 
nursery stock prior to interstate movement of the plants, but rather on 
the likelihood that such reintroduction will result in the artificial 
spread of ACP.
    Paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(2)(vi) establish conditions for the 
issuance of limited permits for regulated nursery stock that will be 
moved through a commercial citrus-producing area to another area. In 
addition to the general conditions for issuance of a limited permit, an 
inspector or person operating under a compliance agreement may issue a 
limited permit for such movement, if:
     All conditions for movement of regulated nursery stock in 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(vi) of Sec.  301.76-6, that is, all 
conditions of the new

[[Page 23456]]

regulatory scheme discussed immediately above, are fulfilled.
     The nursery stock is inspected by an inspector on the date 
of shipment and found free of ACP.
     The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed 
container and is moved interstate in that container.
     The container prominently and legibly displays the 
required limited permit statement and identifying information.
     The agricultural seal remains intact throughout movement 
to the destination specified on the limited permit.
     The agricultural seal is removed at the destination 
specified on the limited permit by an inspector.
    These revisions to Sec.  301.76-6 entail a nonsubstantive 
modification to Sec.  301.76-9. Prior to the publication of this 
interim rule, Sec.  301.76-9 had provided, among other things, that all 
regulated nursery stock intended for interstate movement for immediate 
export from an area quarantined for citrus greening, as well as all 
regulated nursery stock treated with soil drenches and foliar sprays 
prior to interstate movement from an area quarantined for ACP, but not 
for citrus greening, had to be inspected by an inspector no more than 
72 hours prior to movement.
    However, as we mentioned above, inspections of regulated nursery 
stock to be moved interstate under a limited permit must now take place 
at set intervals and must be coupled with an inspection on the date of 
shipment if the nursery stock will transit such a commercial citrus-
producing area. Accordingly, we are amending Sec.  301.76-9 so that it 
now refers only to citrus nursery stock that is intended for interstate 
movement for immediate export.
    These changes to the citrus canker, citrus greening, and ACP 
regulations will provide nursery stock producers in areas quarantined 
for citrus canker, citrus greening, or ACP with the ability to ship 
regulated nursery stock to markets within the United States that would 
otherwise be unavailable to them due to the prohibitions and 
restrictions contained in the regulations while continuing to provide 
adequate safeguards to prevent the spread of the three pests into 
currently unaffected areas of the United States.
Immediate Action
    Immediate action is warranted to provide a degree of relief to 
existing prohibitions and restrictions on the interstate movement of 
regulated nursery stock to certain nurseries who enter into compliance 
agreements with APHIS. Specifically, such action will provide producers 
with a means to ship regulated nursery stock to previously unavailable 
markets within the United States. Under these circumstances, the 
Administrator has determined that prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment are contrary to the public interest and that there is 
good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 for making this rule effective less than 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
    We will consider comments we receive during the comment period for 
this interim rule (see DATES above). After the comment period closes, 
we will publish another document in the Federal Register in which we 
will respond to the comments we receive and finalize or, as necessary, 
revise the provisions of this interim rule. APHIS intends to publish 
this follow-up document within 18 months of the publication of this 
interim rule.

Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act

    This interim rule has been determined to be significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has been reviewed by 
the Office of Management and Budget.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we have performed an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis regarding the economic effects of this 
rule on small entities. The analysis identifies nurseries that produce 
and handle regulated nursery stock as entities potentially affected by 
this interim rule. The analysis identifies the primary costs of the 
rule as those a nursery would need to assume in order to meet all terms 
and provisions of a compliance agreement that it has entered into with 
APHIS and that specifies the conditions under which the regulated 
nursery stock at the nursery must be grown, maintained, and shipped in 
order for it to be moved interstate. While these costs will vary from 
nursery to nursery, APHIS has estimated the aggregate cost to the 
industry of certain provisions that will be found in every compliance 
agreement. We estimate that the total cost to the industry of 
constructing enclosed facilities that meet our minimum requirements 
will be between $1.3 million and $3.2 million, and that the total cost 
of meeting labeling requirements for each plant propagated in such 
facilities will be between $119,070 and $340,000. We have determined 
that the rule will benefit the citrus industry in the United States by 
providing nurseries in quarantined areas with an opportunity for access 
to domestic markets that would otherwise be unavailable to them and by 
ensuring ongoing production of disease-free plants, which is vital to 
the preservation of both the U.S. citrus nursery stock and U.S. citrus 
fruit industries.
    The full analysis may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site 
(see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov) or 
obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Executive Order 12372

    This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, 
which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local 
officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule; (2) has no 
retroactive effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings 
before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with section 3507(j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements included in this interim rule have been 
submitted for emergency approval to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). OMB has assigned control number 0579-0369 to the information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements.
    We plan to request continuation of that approval for 3 years. 
Please send written comments on the 3-year approval request to the 
following addresses: (1) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for APHIS, Washington, DC 20503; and (2) 
Docket No. APHIS-2010-0048, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-2010-
0048 and send your comments within 60 days of publication of this rule.
    This interim rule will require persons to complete various forms 
and documents. These include: Certificates, limited permits, compliance 
agreements, records of sales and shipments, and labels.
    We are soliciting comments from the public (as well as affected 
agencies) concerning our information collection

[[Page 23457]]

and recordkeeping requirements. These comments will help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the information collection is necessary for 
the proper performance of our agency's functions, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
information collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the information collection on those who 
are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses).
    Estimate of burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.1441359 hours per response.
    Respondents: Nursery owners and operators.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 621.
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 21.2270.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 13,182.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,900 hours. (Due to 
averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of 
the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per 
response.)
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Mrs. 
Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 
851-2908.

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 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 interim rule, please contact Mrs. Celeste 
Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 301

    Agricultural commodities, Plant diseases and pests, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

    Accordingly, we are amending 7 CFR part 301 as follows:

PART 301--DOMESTIC QUARANTINE NOTICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, 
and 371.3.
    Section 301.75-15 issued under Sec. 204, Title II, Public Law 
106-113, 113 Stat. 1501A-293; sections 301.75-15 and 301.75-16 
issued under Sec. 203, Title II, Public Law 106-224, 114 Stat. 400 
(7 U.S.C. 1421 note).


Sec.  301.75-1  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  301.75-1, the definition of compliance agreement is amended 
by removing the words ``growing or handling'' and adding the words 
``growing, maintaining, processing, handling, packing, or moving'' in 
their place.

0
3. Section 301.75-6 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising paragraph (a) to read as set forth below.
0
b. By redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (d).
0
c. By adding a new paragraph (c) and a new footnote 1 to read as set 
forth below.
0
d. In newly redesignated paragraph (d), by adding the words ``or 
paragraph (c)'' after the words ``paragraph (b)''.
0
e. By adding the OMB citation ``(Approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget under control number 0579-0369)'' at the end of the section.


Sec.  301.75-6   Interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from a 
quarantined area.

    (a) Regulated nursery stock may not be moved interstate from a 
quarantined area unless such movement is authorized in this section.
* * * * *
    (c) Regulated nursery stock produced in a nursery within a 
quarantined area may be moved interstate to any area within the United 
States, if all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has entered 
into a compliance agreement in which it agrees to meet the relevant 
construction standards, sourcing and certification requirements, 
cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, labeling 
requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements specified 
in a PPQ protocol document. The protocol document will be provided to 
the person at the time he or she enters into the compliance 
agreement.\1\ The compliance agreement may also specify additional 
conditions determined by APHIS to be necessary in order to prevent the 
dissemination of citrus canker under which the nursery stock must be 
grown, maintained, and shipped in order to obtain a certificate for its 
movement. The compliance agreement will also specify that APHIS may 
amend the agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The protocol document is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus/index.shtml and may be obtained from local Plant Protection and 
Quarantine offices, which are listed in telephone directories.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) An inspector has determined that the nursery has adhered to all 
terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
    (3) The nursery stock is accompanied by a certificate issued in 
accordance with Sec.  301.75-12.
    (4) The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed container 
that is clearly labeled with the certificate and is moved interstate in 
that container.
    (5) A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's copy 
of the accompanying waybill.
* * * * *


Sec.  301.75-12  [Amended]

0
4. In Sec.  301.75-12, paragraph (b)(1) introductory text is amended by 
adding the words ``or in Sec.  301.75-6(c)(4) through (c)(5) for any 
regulated nursery stock,'' after the words ``for kumquat plants''.


Sec.  301.75-13  [Amended]

0
5. In Sec.  301.75-13, paragraph (b) is amended by adding the words ``, 
or any term or condition of the compliance agreement itself'' after the 
words ``with this subpart''.


Sec.  301.76-4  [Amended]

0
6. In Sec.  301.76-4, paragraph (c) is amended by removing the words 
``for immediate export under a limited permit in accordance with Sec.  
301.76-7(c)'' and adding the words ``in accordance with Sec.  301.76-
7'' in their place.


Sec. Sec.  301.76-8 and 301.76-9   [Amended]

0
7. Footnote 4 in Sec.  301.76-8 and footnote 5 in Sec.  301.76-9 are 
redesignated as footnotes 6 and 7, respectively.

0
8. Section 301.76-6 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising the section heading to read as set forth below.
0
b. By redesignating paragraphs (b) and (c) as paragraphs (c) and (d), 
respectively.
0
c. By revising newly redesignated paragraph (c) to read as set forth 
below
0
d. In newly redesignated paragraph (d), by redesignating footnote 3 as 
footnote 4.

[[Page 23458]]

0
e. By adding a new paragraph (b) and a new footnote 3 to read as set 
forth below.
0
f. By adding the OMB citation ``(Approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget under control number 0579-0369)'' at the end of the section.


Sec.  301.76-6  Additional conditions for issuance of certificates and 
limited permits for regulated articles moved interstate from areas 
quarantined for Asian citrus psyllid, but not for citrus greening.

* * * * *
    (b) Additional conditions for issuance of a certificate; regulated 
nursery stock. In addition to the general conditions for issuance of a 
certificate contained in Sec.  301.76-5(a), an inspector or person 
operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate for 
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock to any State if:
    (1) The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has entered 
into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which it agrees to meet the 
relevant construction standards, sourcing and certification 
requirements, cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, 
labeling requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements 
specified in a PPQ protocol document. The protocol document will be 
provided to the person at the time he or she enters into the compliance 
agreement.\3\ The compliance agreement may also specify additional 
conditions determined by APHIS to be necessary in order to prevent the 
spread of Asian citrus psyllid under which the nursery stock must be 
grown, maintained, and shipped in order to obtain a certificate for its 
movement. The compliance agreement will also specify that APHIS may 
amend the agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The protocol document is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus/index.shtml and may be obtained from local Plant Protection and 
Quarantine offices, which are listed in telephone directories.
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    (2) An inspector determines that the nursery has adhered to all 
terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
    (3) The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed container 
that is clearly labeled with the certificate and is moved interstate in 
that container.
    (4) A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's copy 
of the accompanying waybill.
    (c) Additional conditions for issuance of a limited permit; 
regulated nursery stock. (1) Nursery stock that will not be moved 
through American Samoa, Arizona, California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. In addition to the general conditions for the issuance of a 
limited permit contained in Sec.  301.76-5(b), an inspector or person 
operating under a compliance agreement, other than the operator of the 
nursery in which the nursery stock was produced and his or her 
employees, may issue a limited permit for the interstate movement of 
regulated nursery stock through areas of the United States other than 
American Samoa, Arizona, California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, and to areas of the United States other than Northern Mariana 
Islands and those portions of Arizona and California that are not 
quarantined due to the presence of Asian citrus psyllid or citrus 
greening, if:
    (i) The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has entered 
into a compliance agreement with APHIS in accordance with Sec.  301.76-
8;
    (ii) All citrus nursery stock at the nursery has been inspected by 
an inspector every 30 days, and any findings of Asian citrus psyllid 
during an inspection have been reported to APHIS immediately;
    (iii) The nursery stock is treated for Asian citrus psyllid with an 
APHIS-approved soil drench or in-ground granular application no more 
than 90 days and no fewer than 30 days before shipment, followed by an 
APHIS-approved foliar spray no more than 10 days before shipment. All 
treatments must be applied according to their EPA label, including 
directions on application, restrictions on place of application and 
other restrictions, and precautions, and including statements 
pertaining to Worker Protection Standards;
    (iv) The nursery stock is affixed prior to movement with a plastic 
or metal tag on which the statement ``Limited permit: USDA-APHIS-PPQ. 
Not for distribution in Northern Mariana Islands or those portions of 
AZ and CA not quarantined due to the presence of Asian citrus psyllid 
or citrus greening'' is prominently and legibly displayed on the 
obverse, and adequate information as determined by APHIS regarding the 
identity of the nursery stock and its source of production to conduct 
traceback to the nursery in which the nursery stock was produced is 
prominently and legibly printed on the reverse. If the nursery stock is 
destined for movement or sale in boxes or containers, the statement and 
the identifying information may be printed on the box or container, or 
printed on a label permanently affixed to the box or container, 
provided that, in either case, the statement and the identifying 
information are prominently and legibly displayed;
    (v) A copy of the limited permit will be attached to the 
consignee's copy of the accompanying waybill; and
    (vi) The nursery stock is shipped in accordance with the conditions 
specified on the limited permit to the destination specified on the 
permit.
    (2) Nursery stock that will be moved through American Samoa, 
Arizona, California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Texas, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 
addition to the general conditions for the issuance of a limited permit 
contained in Sec.  301.76-5(b), an inspector or person operating under 
a compliance agreement may issue a permit for the interstate movement 
of regulated nursery stock through American Samoa, Arizona, California, 
Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto 
Rico, Texas, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and to areas of the United 
States other than Northern Mariana Islands or those portions of Arizona 
and California that are not quarantined due to the presence of Asian 
citrus psyllid or citrus greening, if:
    (i) All conditions for movement of regulated nursery stock in 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(vi) of this section are fulfilled;
    (ii) The nursery stock is inspected by an inspector on the date of 
shipment and found free of Asian citrus psyllid;
    (iii) The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a container 
sealed with an agricultural seal and is moved interstate in that 
container;
    (iv) The container prominently and legibly displays the statement 
and identifying information specified in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this 
section;
    (v) The agricultural seal remains intact throughout movement to the 
destination specified on the limited permit; and
    (vi) The agricultural seal is removed at the destination specified 
on the limited permit by an inspector.
* * * * *

0
9. Section 301.76-7 is amended as follows:
0
a. By redesignating paragraphs (a) and (b) as paragraphs (b) and (c), 
respectively.
0
b. By adding a new paragraph (a) and a new footnote 5 to read as set 
forth below.
0
c. In newly redesignated paragraph (c), by adding the words ``or (b)'' 
after the words '' paragraph (a)''.

[[Page 23459]]

0
d. By adding the OMB citation ``(Approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget under control number 0579-0369)'' at the end of the section.


Sec.  301.76-7  Additional conditions for issuance of certificates and 
limited permits for regulated articles moved interstate from areas 
quarantined for citrus greening.

    (a) Additional conditions for the issuance of a certificate; 
regulated nursery stock produced within a nursery located in the 
quarantined area. In addition to the general conditions for issuance of 
a certificate contained in Sec.  301.76-5(a), an inspector or person 
operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate for 
interstate movement of regulated nursery stock to any State if all of 
the following conditions are met:
    (1) The nursery in which the nursery stock is produced has entered 
into a compliance agreement with APHIS in which it agrees to meet the 
relevant construction standards, sourcing and certification 
requirements, cleaning, disinfecting, and safeguarding requirements, 
labeling requirements, and recordkeeping and inspection requirements 
specified in a PPQ protocol document. The protocol document will be 
provided to the person at the time he or she enters into the compliance 
agreement.\5\ The compliance agreement may also specify additional 
conditions determined by APHIS to be necessary in order to prevent the 
dissemination of citrus greening under which the nursery stock must be 
grown, maintained, and shipped in order to obtain a certificate for its 
movement. The compliance agreement will also specify that APHIS may 
amend the agreement.
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    \5\ The protocol document is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus/index.shtml and may be obtained from local Plant Protection and 
Quarantine offices, which are listed in telephone directories.
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    (2) An inspector has determined that the nursery has adhered to all 
terms and conditions of the compliance agreement.
    (3) The nursery stock is completely enclosed in a sealed container 
that is clearly labeled with the certificate and is moved interstate in 
that container.
    (4) A copy of the certificate is attached to the consignee's copy 
of the accompanying waybill.
* * * * *


Sec.  301.76-8  [Amended]

0
10. Section 301.76-8 is amended as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (b), by adding the words ``, or any term or condition 
of the compliance agreement itself'' after the words ``with this 
subpart''.
0
b. In the OMB citation at the end of the section, by removing the words 
``number 0579-0363'' and adding the words ``numbers 0579-0363 and 0579-
0369'' in their place.


Sec.  301.76-9  [Amended]

0
11. Section 301.76-9 is amended by removing the words ``All regulated 
nursery stock treated with soil drenches or in-ground granular 
applications and foliar sprays prior to interstate movement from an 
area quarantined only for Asian citrus psyllid, but not for citrus 
greening, as well as all'' and adding the word ``All'' in their place.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of April 2011.
Edward M. Avalos,
Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-10092 Filed 4-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P