[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6532-6536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02274]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2013-0100]


International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting 
Activities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0082-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0082, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-
0082 or in our reading room, which 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) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Mrs. Jessica Mahalingappa, Acting 
Associate Deputy Administrator for SPS Management, International 
Services, APHIS, room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7121.
    For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of 
the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David, 
Director, International Animal Health Standards Team, National Center 
for Import/Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 851-3302.
    For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities 
of the International Plant Protection Convention, contact Ms. Julie E. 
Aliaga, Program Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-
2032.
    For specific information on the North American Plant Protection 
Organization, contact Dr. Christina Devorshak, PPQ Technical Director 
for NAPPO, PPQ, APHIS, 1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 
27606; (919) 855-7547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common 
international institutional framework for governing trade relations 
among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. 
The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress 
when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), 
which was signed into law on December 8, 1994. The WTO Agreements, 
which established the WTO, entered into force with respect to the 
United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act 
amended Title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531 et 
seq.). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 
U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency to be 
responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary 
(SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-
setting organization. The designated agency must inform the public by 
publishing an annual notice in the Federal Register that provides the 
following information: (1) The SPS standards under consideration or 
planned for consideration by the international standard-setting 
organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, a description of 
the consideration or planned consideration of that standard, a 
statement of whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda for U.S. 
participation, if any, and the agency responsible for representing the 
United States with respect to that standard.
    ``International standard'' is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any 
standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed 
under the auspices of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, 
formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) regarding 
animal health and welfare, and zoonoses; (3) developed under the 
auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC) in cooperation with the North American Plant 
Protection Organization (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) 
established by or developed under any other international organization 
agreed to by the member countries of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA) or the member countries of the WTO.
    The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 
(60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official 
responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department 
of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) 
informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities, and USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public 
of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.
    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the Federal Register to inform 
the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was 
created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. It is 
the major international organization for encouraging international 
trade in food and protecting the health and economic interests of 
consumers.

[[Page 6533]]

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

OIE Standard-Setting Activities

    The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing 
of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed 
of 178 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate who, in most 
cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or territory. 
The WTO has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting 
animal health and welfare standards, reporting global animal disease 
events, and presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary 
measures relating to animal health.
    The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the 
spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research 
among its Members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and 
disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal 
diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern 
international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to 
achieve these through the development and revision of international 
standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international 
trade of animals and animal products.
    The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of 
animal diseases, recognizes the free status of Members for certain 
diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their 
international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease 
status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to Members. 
Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the development 
and preparation of draft standards, which are then circulated to 
Members for consultation (review and comment). Draft standards are 
revised accordingly and are then presented to the OIE World Assembly of 
Delegates (all the Members) during the General Session, which meets 
annually every May, for review and adoption. Adoption, as a general 
rule, is based on consensus of the OIE membership.
    The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 25-30, 2014, in 
Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
Veterinary Services program is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. 
The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services program intends 
to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' 
position on any standard up for adoption. Information about OIE draft 
Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be found on the 
Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/oie/ or by 
contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).

OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices 
Adopted During the May 2013 General Session

    Over 30 Code chapters were amended, rewritten, or newly proposed 
and presented for adoption at the General Session. The following Code 
chapters are of particular interest to the United States:

1. Glossary
    Updates the definition of veterinarian in the chapter.
2. Chapter 1.1, Notification of Diseases and Epidemiological 
Information
    Text changes update some of the terminology in this chapter.
3. Chapter 3.2, Evaluation of Veterinary Services
    Text in this chapter was modified for clarity.
4. Chapter 3.4, Veterinary Legislation
    This Code chapter was adopted in 2012, but in 2013 it received 
minor modifications to clarify some of the text.
5. Chapter 4.6, Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant, 
and Porcine Semen
    This Code chapter was slightly updated to clarify some points.
6. Chapter 4.7, Collection and Processing in vivo Derived Embryos from 
Livestock and Equids
    This Code chapter also received some minor updates for clarity.
7. Chapter 6.9. Responsible and Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in 
Veterinary Medicine
    This Code chapter provides new text for additional clarification of 
the responsibilities of the Competent Authority to oversee the use of 
antimicrobial agents.
8. Chapter 8.13, Infection with Trichinella spp.
    This Code chapter was completely rewritten and its recommendations 
are meant to complement the Codex Alimentarius chapter on Trichinella.
9. Chapter 10.4 Infection with Avian Influenza (AI) Viruses
    The terminology of ``avian influenza'' was changed by removing the 
term ``notifiable'' and replacing it with ``avian influenza'' or 
``highly pathogenic AI,'' depending on the context of the chapter.
10. Chapter 12. 9. Infection with Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
    The text in this chapter was expanded to include embryo transfer as 
a vehicle of virus transmission from an EVA carrier stallion to a 
recipient mare.
11. Chapter 14.8 Infection with Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus (PPR)
    An updated chapter was adopted with the inclusion of specific 
requirements for the trade of meat and meat products as safe 
commodities regardless of the country PPR status.
12. Chapter 7.9, Animal Welfare and Beef Cattle Production Systems
    Text in the chapter was amended to include the avoidance of 
dragging of non-ambulatory cattle, the reduction of stocking density as 
a measure of managing heat stress, and conditions for tethering were 
modified to improve clarity.
13. Chapter 7.10, Animal Welfare and Broiler Chicken Production Systems
    Throughout the chapter, the Code Commission accepted Member Country 
suggestions to improve clarity and to consistently use the terms 
completely outdoors systems, humanely killed, day-old bird(s), and 
broilers.


[[Page 6534]]


    The following Aquatic Code chapters are of particular interest to 
the United States:

1. Chapter 1.3, Diseases Listed by the OIE
    Listing of infection with ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvariant, as an 
emerging molluskan disease.

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices for Future 
Review

    Existing Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapters that may be 
further revised and new chapters that may be drafted in preparation for 
the next General Session in 2014 include the following:
     Chapter 6.10, Risk Assessment for Antimicrobial Resistance 
Arising from the Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Animals.
     Chapter 12.1, Infection with African Horse Sickness Virus.
     Chapter 11.8, Infection with Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. 
Mycoides (Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia).
     Chapter 1.6, Procedures for self-declaration and for 
official recognition by the OIE (Chapter 11.8).
     Draft Chapter 4.X., The High Health Status horse 
subpopulation.
     Chapter 1.4., Animal health surveillance.
     Chapter 8.X., Infection with Brucella abortus, B. 
melitensis and B. suis.
     Chapter 15.2, Classical swine fever.
     Chapter 7.X Animal Welfare and Dairy Cattle Production 
Systems.

IPPC Standard-Setting Activities

    The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the 
purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread 
and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote 
appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the 
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, 
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants 
from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities addressed by 
the IPPC include the development and establishment of international 
plant health standards (ISPMs), the harmonization of phytosanitary 
activities through emerging standards, the facilitation of the exchange 
of official and scientific information among countries, and the 
furnishing of technical assistance to developing countries that are 
signatories to the IPPC.
    The IPPC is under the authority of the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), and the members of the Secretariat of the IPPC are 
appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is implemented by national plant 
protection organizations (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant 
protection organizations (RPPOs), the Commission on Phytosanitary 
Measures (CPMand the Secretariat of the IPPC. The United States plays a 
major role in all standard-setting activities under the IPPC and has 
representation on FAO's highest governing body, the FAO Conference.
    The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972 
and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever 
since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered 
into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries 
accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties 
completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the 
FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997 
amendment updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-
setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC 
entered into force after two-thirds of the contracting parties notified 
the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the amendment in 
October 2005. The U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to acceptance 
of the newly revised IPPC on October 18, 2000. The President submitted 
the official letter of acceptance to the FAO Director General on 
October 4, 2001.
    The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the 
national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is 
to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United 
States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program.
    Every 2 years, NPPOs and RPPOs propose topics for ISPMs, which are 
then prioritized and approved by the CPM. All contracting parties agree 
to the scope of the draft ISPM and then NPPOs and RPPOs nominate 
experts to draft the ISPM. The draft ISPM then enters the member 
consultation stage, in which countries submit comments. The comments 
are incorporated and the draft ISPM is presented for the final member 
consultation stage, and is then adopted by the CPM. On average, this 
process takes 5 to 7 years. More detailed information on the standard 
setting process can be found on the IPPC Web site.\1\
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    \1\ IPPC Standard Setting procedure: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting.
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    Each member country is represented on the CPM by a single delegate. 
Although experts and advisors may accompany the delegate to meetings of 
the CPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate) may represent 
each member country in considering a standard proposed for approval. 
Parties involved in a vote by the CPM are to make every effort to reach 
agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all efforts to reach 
a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a standard be passed 
by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and voting.
    Technical experts from the United States have participated directly 
in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft 
standards. The United States also has a representative on the Standards 
Committee, Capacity Development Committee, and the CPM Bureau. In 
addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and NAPPO have 
been sources of significant input for many of the standards adopted to 
date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards currently under 
consideration or up for adoption. Interested individuals may review the 
standards \2\ and submit comments to [email protected].
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    \2\ Draft ISPMs submitted for member consultation: https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/member-consultation-draft-ispms.
    Draft ISPMs submitted for substantial concerns commenting 
period:  https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/substantial-concerns-commenting-period-sccp-draft-ispms.
    Draft ISPMs submitted for adoption:  https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/formal-objections-draft-ispms-14-days-prior-cpm.
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    The Ninth Session of the CPM is scheduled for March 31 to April 4, 
2014, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for 
APHIS' PPQ program is the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy 
Administrator intends to participate in the proceedings and will 
discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standards up for adoption.
    It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently 
developed to be considered by the CPM for adoption at its 2014 meeting. 
The United States, represented by the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ program, will participate in consideration of these standards. The 
U.S. position on each of these issues will be developed prior to the 
CPM session and will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from 
other U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information 
from interested stakeholders.
     Appendix to ISPM 12: Electronic certification, information 
on standard

[[Page 6535]]

XML schemas and exchange mechanisms.
     Annex to ISPM 26: Establishment of fruit fly quarantine 
areas within a pest free area in the event of an outbreak.
     New ISPM: Determination of host status of fruits and 
vegetables to fruit fly (Tephritidae) infestation.
     Annexes to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus sinensis.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus reticulata x 
C. sinensis.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus limon.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus limon.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus sinensis.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Bactrocera tryoni on Citrus reticulata x 
C. sinensis.
    [cir] Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Citrus paradisi.
    [cir] Vapor heat treatment for Bactrocera cucurbitae on Cucumis 
melo var. Reticulatus.
    [cir] Irradiation for Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley, 
Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell), and Planococcus minor (Maskell) 
(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).
     Annexes to ISPM 27: Diagnostic Protocols.
    [cir] Phyllosticta citricarpa on fruit.
    [cir] Tilletia indica.

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group (EWG) meetings or other technical 
consultations will take place during 2014 on the topics listed below. 
These standard-setting initiatives are under development and may be 
considered for future adoption. APHIS intends to participate actively 
and fully in each of these working groups. The U.S. position on each of 
the topics to be addressed by these various working groups will be 
developed prior to these working group meetings and will be based on 
APHIS' technical analysis, information from other U.S. Government 
agencies, and relevant scientific information from interested 
stakeholders.
     EWG on international movement of cut flowers and branches.
     Technical Panel on phytosanitary treatments.
     Technical Panel on the Glossary.
     Technical Panel on forest quarantine.
     Technical Panel on diagnostic protocols.
     The specification for the international movement of grain 
will be available for country consultation.
    For more detailed information on the above, contact Ms. Julie E. 
Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    APHIS posts links to draft standards on the Internet as they become 
available and provides information on the due dates for comments.\3\ 
Additional information on IPPC standards (including the standard 
setting process and adopted standards) is available on the IPPC Web 
site.\4\ For the most current information on official U.S. 
participation in IPPC activities, including U.S. positions on standards 
being considered, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above). Those wishing to provide comments on any of 
the areas of work being undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by 
responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by providing 
comments through Ms. Aliaga.
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    \3\ For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM member 
consultation: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/international/PhytosanitaryStandards/draft_standards.shtml.
    \4\ IPPC Web site: https://www.ippc.int/.
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NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities

    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 
under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United 
States, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, 
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating 
intra- and inter-regional trade. NAPPO conducts its business through 
commodity based panels, expert groups, and annual meetings held among 
the three member countries. The NAPPO Executive Committee charges 
individual panels or expert groups with the responsibility for drawing 
up proposals for NAPPO positions, policies, and standards. Panels and 
expert groups are made up of representatives from each member country 
who have scientific expertise related to the policy or standard being 
considered, as well as representatives from key industries or commodity 
groups (e.g., nursery, seed, forestry, grains, potato, citrus, etc.). 
Proposals drawn up by the individual panels are circulated for review 
to Government and industry officials in Canada, the United States, and 
Mexico, who may suggest revisions. In the United States, draft 
standards are circulated to industry, States, and various government 
agencies for consideration and comment. The draft standards are posted 
on the Internet at http://www.nappo.org/en/. Once revisions are made, 
the proposal is sent to the NAPPO Working Group and the NAPPO Standards 
Panel for technical reviews, and then to the Executive Committee for 
final approval, which is granted by consensus.
    The annual NAPPO meeting was held October 29 to 31, 2013, in 
Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting took 
place on October 28, 2013. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ, or his 
designee (in this case, the Assistant Deputy Administrator for Field 
Operations), is a member of the NAPPO Executive Committee. The 
Assistant Deputy Administrator for Field Operations participated in the 
proceedings to discuss or comment on APHIS' position on standards 
proposed for adoption or any proposals to develop new standards.
    Below is a summary of the current NAPPO work program as it relates 
to the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United States (i.e., 
USDA/APHIS) intends to participate actively and fully in the NAPPO work 
program. The U.S. position on each topic will be guided and informed by 
the best scientific information available on each of these topics. For 
each of the following topics, the United States will consider its 
position on any draft standard after it reviews a prepared draft. 
Information regarding the following NAPPO panel topics, assignments, 
activities, and updates on meeting times and locations may be obtained 
from the NAPPO homepage at http://www.nappo.org or by contacting Dr. 
Christina Devorshak (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    The current work program includes the following topics.
    1. Authorization--The Authorization panel will finalize RSPM 28, 
``Guidelines for Authorization of Entities to Perform Phytosanitary 
Services,'' based on comments received through country consultation.
    2. Citrus--The Citrus commodity panel will finalize a document on 
recommended measures for the establishment and maintenance of area wide 
management programs for Huanglongbing and its vector. The panel will 
also develop a document for identification of new and emerging citrus 
quarantine pests and methods for their identification and management 
(no meeting/work electronically only).
    3. Forestry--The Forestry commodity panel will organize a workshop 
(regional or international) on implementation of ISPM 15, Regulation of 
wood packaging material in international trade. It will also review and 
incorporate comments made to the Science and Technology document on 
heat treatment of wood products. The panel is also developing a 
specification for a possible standard on the potential

[[Page 6536]]

use of systems approaches to manage pest risks associated with the 
movement of wood. Lastly the panel is completing development of a 
Science and Technology document on biological control of emerald ash 
borer (EAB).
    4. Pest risk analysis--An expert group will be appointed to develop 
a NAPPO Science and Technology paper on the risks associated with 
Lymantriids of potential concern to the NAPPO region, identifying 
potential species and pathways of concern. A specification for a 
regional standard on diversion from intended use is also being 
prepared.
    5. Fruit--The Fruit panel will finalize the Annex to RSPM 17 on 
guidelines for development of, and efficacy verification for, lures and 
traps for arthropod pests of fruits: format as Appendix, submit for 
country consultation and finalize.
    6. Grain--The Grain panel will develop a discussion paper related 
to the issue of phytosanitary certification of grain re-export and in-
transit movement within North America and for re-export of grain to 
off-continent destinations.
    7. Host status--An expert group will be established to develop a 
standard on ``Criteria for the determination of host status of pest 
arthropods and pathogens based on available information'' according to 
the approved specifications.
    8. Oversight--The Oversight panel will finalize RSPM 41, Guidelines 
for oversight programs, based on comments received through country 
consultation, due to begin in November 2013.
    9. Pest Risk Management--A draft regional standard for pest risk 
management (RSPM 40, Pest Risk Management), is under final revision 
based on comments received through country consultation.
    10. Phytosanitary Alert System--The Phytosanitary Alert System 
(PAS) manages the NAPPO pest reporting system and work towards 
eliminating any duplication in reporting to the IPPC.
    11. Plants for Planting--An expert group will be appointed to 
revise RSPM 18 (2004), Guidelines for phytosanitary action following 
detection of plum pox virus.
    12. Potato--The Potato panel will revise Annex 6 of RSPM 3 (2011), 
Guidelines for movement of potatoes into a NAPPO member country based 
on the PVY TAG Science and Technology document finalized in 2013; they 
will also revise the pest list for RSPM 3. They will review the 
existing RSPM 3 (2011), Guidelines for movement of potatoes into a 
NAPPO member country to align it with ISPM 33 (2010), Pest free potato 
(Solanum sp.) micropropagative material and minitubers for 
international trade and discuss any adjustments required by NAPPO 
member countries.
    13. Seed--The Seed panel will continue the development of technical 
information for the RSPM 36 (2013), Phytosanitary guidelines for the 
movement of seed into a NAPPO member country, including the preparation 
of a process for petitioning NAPPO to officially add technical 
information to RSPM 36 and the development of annexes and appendices 
for five additional seed commodities: Tomato, pepper, spinach, lettuce, 
and watermelon. They will also prepare a comprehensive analysis and 
evaluation of overall phytosanitary risk of seed that is moved 
internationally, and prospects for harmonization of seed phytosanitary 
approaches among the NAPPO member countries, as a NAPPO discussion 
document.
    14. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification (E-phyto) Panel--The 
panel conducted a regional workshop on E-phyto in Costa Rica for Latin 
American countries in 2013. Ongoing E-phyto work is primarily conducted 
through the IPPC; however, the NAPPO Annual Symposium conducted in 
conjunction with the Annual Meeting in 2014 will be focused on further 
development of E-phyto internationally.
    The PPQ Assistant Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. 
delegate to NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these 
regional plant health standards, including the work described above, 
once they are completed and ready for such consideration.
    The information in this notice contains all the information 
available to us on NAPPO standards currently under development or 
consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the 
working panels that may become available following publication of this 
notice, go to the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at http://www.nappo.org or contact Dr. Christina Devorshak (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT above). Information on official U.S. participation 
in NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on standards being 
considered, may also be obtained from Dr. Devorshak. Those wishing to 
provide comments on any of the topics being addressed in the NAPPO work 
program may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see 
ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting comments through Dr. Devorshak.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of January 2014.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02274 Filed 2-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P