[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81719-81724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27791]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0060]


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/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0060.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2016-0060, 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-2016-
0060 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) 7997039 before coming.

[[Page 81720]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the topics 
covered in this notice, contact Ms. Jessica Mahalingappa, Assistant 
Deputy Administrator for Trade and Capacity Building, 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 Import 
Export Services, 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 Dr. Marina 
Zlotina, PPQ's IPPC Technical Director, International Phytosanitary 
Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 130, Riverdale, MD 20737; 
(301) 851-2200.
    For specific information on the North American Plant Protection 
Organization, contact Ms. Patricia Abad, PPQ's NAPPO Technical 
Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 130, Riverdale, MD, 20737; (301) 851-2264.

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.
    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 180 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 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,

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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 21 to May 26, 
2017, in Paris, France. Currently, the Chief Trade Advisor for APHIS' 
Veterinary Services program is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. 
The Chief Trade Advisor 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/animal-health/export-animals-oie 
or by contacting Dr. Michael David (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).

OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters Adopted during 
the May 2016 General Session.

    More than 26 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

    Text was not changed in this Code chapter for the definition of 
``casings.'' The proposal to include esophagi and stomachs in the 
definition of ``casings'' was rejected because these contain striated 
muscle, which is not used in the production of casings.

2. User's Guide

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity.

3. Chapter 1.1., Notification of diseases, Infections, Infestations and 
Provision of Epidemiological information

Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity and consistency.

4. Chapter 1.2., Criteria for the Inclusion of Diseases, Infections, 
and Infestations Listed by the OIE

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity and consistency.

5. Chapter 1.2., Criteria for the Inclusion of Diseases, Infections and 
Infestations in the OIE List

    Text in this Code chapter was modified for clarity and consistency.

6. Chapter 1.3., Prescribed and alternative Diagnostic tests

    This Code chapter was deleted from the Terrestrial Code because the 
noted tests are included in the Terrestrial Manual.

7. Chapter 3.2, Evaluation of Veterinary Services

    A minor change was adopted and approved by Member Countries.

8. Chapter 6.8., Monitoring of the Quantities and Usage Patterns of 
Antimicrobial Agents in Food Producing Animals

    The text in this chapter was modified to clarify the therapeutic 
use of antimicrobial agents means the administration of antimicrobial 
agents to animals for treating and controlling infectious diseases.

9. Chapter 7.5., Slaughter of Animals

    The diagrams of the heads of animals detailing the specific 
locations for the use of captive bolts for the purpose of slaughtering 
were proposed for removal from the chapter. The diagrams are to be 
relocated to the OIE Web site.

10. Chapter 7.6., Killing of Animals for Disease Control Purposes

    References to the use of penetrating and non-penetrating captive 
bolts as procedures for killing adult poultry were added.

11. Chapter 7.10., Animal Welfare and Broiler Chicken Production 
Systems

    Some outcome-based measurables were added, as well as minor 
editorial changes.

12. Chapter 7.11, Animal Welfare and Dairy Cattle Production Systems

    This Code chapter includes prescriptive language regarding the 
housing of dairy cattle to which the United States continues to object 
and challenge.

13. Chapter 7.X., Welfare of Working Equids

    This is a new Code chapter that was adopted this year. The United 
States noted an area of concern that will be considered by the Code 
Commission for future review.

14. Chapter 8.3., Infection with Bluetongue Virus

    The current chapter received minor updates that were adopted.

15. Chapter 8.7., Infection with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus

    This chapter was adopted in 2015 and received minor updates to make 
it consistent with other vector borne diseases.

16. Chapter 8.13., Infection with Rift Valley Fever virus

    Minor changes were made to create harmonization among the vector-
borne disease chapters.

17. Chapter 8.16., Infection with Trichinella spp.

    A minor addition referencing the pertinent Codex Guideline was made 
and the chapter was adopted.

18. Chapter 14.7., Infection with Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus

    An editorial change was made to correct an error in Article 
14.7.21. and the chapter was adopted.

19. Chapter 15.X., Infection with Taenia solium

    An addition referencing the prevention of T. solium in humans was 
made and the chapter was adopted.

    The following Aquatic Manual chapters were revised and adopted, and 
are of particular interest to the United States:

Chapter 2.2.2. Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis
Chapter 2.2.4. Necrotising hepatopancreatitis
Chapter 2.2.5. Taura syndrome
Chapter 2.2.8. Infection with yellow head virus
Chapter 2.4.7. Infection with Perkinsus olseni

OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters for Upcoming and Future 
Review

     Glossary.
     Chapter 1.4., Animal health surveillance.
     Chapter 2.X., Criteria for assessing the safety of 
commodities.
     Chapter 4.3., Zoning and compartmentalization.
     Chapter 4.16., High Health Status Horse Subpopulation.
     Chapter 5.3., OIE procedures relevant to the WTO/SPS 
Agreement.
     Chapter 6.1., The role of veterinary services in food 
safety.
     Chapter 6.X., Prevention and control of Salmonella in 
commercial cattle production systems.
     Chapter 6.Y., Prevention and control of Salmonella in 
commercial cattle production systems.
     Chapter 7.5., Slaughter of animals.
     Chapter 8.8., Foot and mouth disease virus.
     Chapter 8.X., Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 
complex.
     Chapter 10.4., Infection with avian influenza virus.
     Chapter 10.5., Avian mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma 
gallisepticum).

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     Chapter 11.11., Infection with lumpy skin disease.
     Chapter 12.10., Glanders.
     Chapter 15.1., Infection with African swine fever virus.
     Chapter 15.X., Infection with porcine reproductive and 
respiratory syndrome virus.

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. The WTO has recognized the IPPC 
as the standard setting body for plant health. Under the IPPC, the 
understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, 
encompassing the protection of both cultivated and non-cultivated 
plants from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities 
addressed by the IPPC include the development, adoption and 
implementation of international phytosanitary (or 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 contracting 
parties to the IPPC.
    The IPPC is deposited with the Food and Agriculture Organization 
(FAO), and is an international agreement of 182 contracting parties 
(CPs). The Convention is implemented by national plant protection 
organizations (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant protection 
organizations (RPPOs), the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), 
and the Secretariat of the IPPC. 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 NPPO is APHIS' Plant Protection and 
Quarantine (PPQ) program.
    The Eleventh Session of the CPM took place from April 4 to 8, 2016, 
at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' 
PPQ program was the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy Administrator 
participated in the proceedings and discussed or commented on APHIS' 
position on any standards up for adoption.
    The following standards were adopted by the CPM at its 2016 
meeting. The United States, represented by the Deputy Administrator for 
APHIS' PPQ program, participated in consideration of these standards. 
The U.S. position on each of these issues were developed prior to the 
CPM session and were based on APHIS' analysis, information from other 
U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from 
interested stakeholders:
     Revisions to ISPM 5: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms
     ISPM 37: Determination of host status of fruit to fruit 
flies (Tephritidae)
     Annexes to ISPM 28: Phytosanitary treatments:
    [cir] 20: Irradiation treatment for Ostrinia nubilalis
    [cir] 21: Vapor heat treatment for Bactrocera melanotus and B. 
xanthodes on Carica papaya
     Annexes to ISPM 27: Diagnostic Protocols
    [cir] 08: Ditylenchus dipsaci and D. destructor
    [cir] 09: Genus Anastrepha Schiner
    [cir] 10: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
    [cir] 11: Xiphinema americanum sensu lato
    [cir] 12: Phytoplasmas
    Other APHIS key achievements from the 2016 CPM meeting were:
     Continued development of a global electronic phytosanitary 
system, including to proceed with a pilot study immediately with 14 
selected countries, including the United States;
     Worked towards an International Year of Plant Health 
(IYPH) in 2020, including the establishment of a steering committee to 
plan and guide the process for securing a United Nations proclamation 
for an IYPH and to identify and plan plant health activities and events 
that will occur in the lead up to and during the international year. 
The United States will be an active supporter of this initiative;
     Established a focus group to analyze, develop, and 
recommend a coherent IPPC program aimed at improving the implementation 
of adopted standards and to recommend an appropriate committee to 
oversee this new area of work at the IPPC;
     Held a special CPM session on phytosanitary risks of sea 
containers where the CPs agreed to temporarily suspend work on an 
international standard on sea containers, but consider other actions 
that IPPC contracting parties can take to continue addressing the sea 
container pathway for the introduction of plant pests; and
     Agreed on a path forward on commodity specific standards, 
which allows countries interested in such standards to resubmit 
proposals for such work.

New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development

    A number of expert working group (EWG) meetings or other technical 
consultations took place during 2016 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 the international movement of grain
     Technical Panel on Fruit Flies
     Technical Panel for the Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms
     Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols
     Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments
     Technical Panel on Forest Quarantine
    For more detailed information on the above, contact Dr. Marina 
Zlotina (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.\1\ 
Additional information on IPPC standards (including the standard 
setting process and adopted standards) is available on the IPPC Web 
site.\2\ For the most current information on official U.S. 
participation in IPPC activities, including U.S. positions on standards 
being considered, contact Dr. Marina Zlotina (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 Dr. Zlotina.
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    \1\ For more information on the IPPC draft ISPM member 
consultation: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_phytostandards/ct_draft_standards.
    \2\ 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 the United States, 
Canada, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, 
establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating

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intra- and inter-regional trade. NAPPO conducts its work through 
priority-driven, annual projects conducted by expert groups. Project 
results and updates are provided during the NAPPO annual meeting. The 
NAPPO Executive Committee issues a call for project proposals, in 
general, each year. Projects can include the development of positions, 
policies, or technical documents, or the development or revision of 
regional standards for phytosanitary measures (RSPMs). Projects can 
also include implementation of standards or other capacity development 
activities such as workshops. After the NAPPO region selects the 
projects for the year, per approval of NAPPO's Executive Committee, 
expert groups are formed with subject matter experts from each member 
country, as well as representatives from key industries or commodity 
groups (e.g. nursery, seed, forestry, grains, potato, citrus, etc.). In 
the United States, draft standards are circulated to industry, States, 
and various government agencies for consideration and comment. The 
draft documents are posted on the NAPPO Web site.\3\ Once revisions are 
made, the updated draft is sent to the NAPPO Advisory and Management 
Committee for technical review, and then to the Executive Committee for 
final approval, which is granted by consensus.
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    \3\ NAPPO Web site: http://www.nappo.org/.
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    The 40th NAPPO annual meeting was held October 31 to November 3, 
2016, in Montreal, Canada. The NAPPO Executive Committee meetings took 
place on October 31, 2016. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ is the U.S. 
member of the NAPPO Executive Committee.
    Below is a summary of the current NAPPO work program as it relates 
to the ongoing development of NAPPO standards and projects. 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. For each of 
the following, the United States will consider its position on any 
draft standard after it reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding 
the following NAPPO projects, assignments, activities, and updates on 
meeting times and locations may be obtained from the NAPPO Web site or 
by contacting Ms. Patricia Abad (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).
    The 2016 work program includes the following topics being worked on 
by NAPPO expert groups:
    1. Asian Gypsy Moth: Validate specified risk periods for regulated 
Asian gypsy moth (AGM) in countries of origin. Review available data in 
AGM-regulated countries to determine whether any changes in specified 
risk period for oviposition, flight, and establishment of AGM should be 
considered and whether such changes would potentially have an impact on 
the requirements of the vessel certification program.
    2. Biological Control: Develop an online English course to provide 
training on preparing a petition for first release of an entomophagous 
biological control agent. Adapt into an online module the material used 
for the 2015 NAPPO workshop on the topic, which was based on the 
requirements outlined in NAPPO RSPM 12, Guidelines for petition for 
first release of non-indigenous entomophagous biological control 
agents. This online course was completed in October 2016.
    3. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification: Provide assistance and 
technical support to the IPPC ePhyto Steering Group. Provide input to 
the IPPC ePhyto Steering Group, especially to help address mechanisms 
of exchange, security and secure transmission, and standardization of 
data.
    4. Forestry: Organize a multi-region conference on ISPM 15 
implementation, following the recommendation that came out of the 
NAPPO-Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) workshop. In 
2016, NAPPO partnered with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation 
on Agriculture (IICA) and other regional plant protection organizations 
(RPPOs) in the Americas to hold a regional workshop aimed at enhancing 
global compliance with the international standard for wood packaging 
materials (known as ISPM 15) and thereby further reduce the threat of 
wood and forest pests in trade. The workshop was held at IICA 
Headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica, from August 29 to September 2, 
2016. Approximately 40 plant health government and industry experts 
representing 18 countries in the Americas attended the event in 
addition to 14 officials who organized, presented, and/or supported 
logistics. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to 
interact and share experiences and approaches to improve the global 
implementation ISPM 15, as well as to develop follow-up steps aimed to 
enhance implementation. The event also included a site visit near San 
Jose to observe a demonstration of the process for inspecting wood 
based on the standard.
    Develop a NAPPO standard on the potential use of systems approaches 
to manage pest risks associated with the movement of wood. Develop an 
integrated measures approach which may include: inspections (at 
harvest, during production, prior to and or following export), 
prescribed production activities; laboratory diagnostics; the 
application of treatments; the relationship between infested areas and 
pest free areas and general aspects of surveillance. The specification 
for this standard was approved by NAPPO in 2015.
    5. Grain: Finalize the review of RSPM 13, Guidelines to establish, 
maintain and verify Karnal bunt pest free areas in North America. Reach 
consensus on how to manage the issue of pest free areas in this case in 
order to finalize the revision of the standard. On July 6, 2016, 
NAPPO's Executive Committee approved and signed a revised version of 
the standard developed by the expert group, thereby completing this 
project.
    Develop a NAPPO discussion document in preparation for the IPPC 
Expert Working Group tasked with the development of an ISPM on 
International Movement of Grain. On August 12, 2016, NAPPO submitted a 
discussion document to the IPPC on the shared perspectives of NAPPO 
member countries on this topic.
    Develop a NAPPO discussion document on a North American approach to 
preventing introduction, establishment, and spread of Khapra beetle 
(Trogoderma granarium) in various pathways. Evaluate each NAPPO 
country's current regulatory approach to khapra beetle (prevention, 
detection, and response) to identify similarities, differences and gaps 
and determine the feasibility of closing gaps and streamlining the 
approach.
    6. Lymantriids: 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. Continue 
the development of a comprehensive examination of Lymantriids to 
identify species of potential concern to North America which may travel 
on the same pathway as AGM in order to help inform regulatory 
decisionmaking by all NAPPO member countries.
    7. Phytosanitary Alert System: Manage the NAPPO pest reporting 
system (Phytosanitary Alert System-PAS). Meet reporting obligations 
under the IPPC and facilitate awareness, detection, prevention, and 
management of exotic plant pest species within North America.

[[Page 81724]]

    8. Advancing key phytosanitary concepts: Prepare a discussion 
document on diversion from intended use. Clearly organize the concepts 
of diversion from intended use into a discussion document to serve as 
future reference. The reference document was presented to the NAPPO 
Executive Committee on October 31, 2016.
    Provide guidance on assessing the likelihood of establishment 
component of a pest risk analysis (PRA) for quarantine pests. Assess 
feasibility of developing harmonized regional guidance to assess the 
likelihood of pest establishment when developing a PRA. The results are 
aimed to refocus the application of risk management measures on only 
those pests that are likely to cause harm. During the first half of 
2016, upon thorough assessment of relevant standards and existing 
guidance, the expert group determined that existing guidance was 
adequate. Therefore, the expert group proposed a change in project 
scope, approved by the NAPPO Executive Committee in July 6, 2016, to 
instead develop a NAPPO discussion paper on interpretation of existing 
guidance in standards for the evaluation of the likelihood of 
establishment in PRAs.
    Organize an international symposium on inspection sampling to 
support proper and harmonized implementation of ISPMs 23 (Guidelines 
for Inspection) and 31 (Methodologies for sampling of consignments) in 
the NAPPO region and internationally. The international symposium on 
risk-based sampling, targeted to take place in the summer of 2017, will 
examine the relevant scientific and statistical concepts associated 
with inspection sampling, the operational and regulatory challenges of 
implementation, the outreach/in-reach efforts needed for acceptance and 
capacity building, and opportunities for harmonization. The purpose of 
the symposium is to bring together government agencies, researchers and 
analysts, industries and international organizations to collaborate in 
the development and implementation of risk based sampling methods for 
phytosanitary inspection. Symposium proceedings will be created as an 
enduring reference.
    9. Potato: Revise the pest list for RSPM 3, Movement of potatoes 
into a NAPPO member country. Undertake the annual revision of the pest 
list.
    Work to finalize the review of the existing RSPM 3, Movement of 
potatoes into a NAPPO member country, to align it with ISPM 33, Pest 
free potato (Solanum sp.) micropropagative material and minitubers for 
international trade, and discuss any adjustments required by NAPPO 
member countries. Review comments received from the country 
consultation of the draft revision and make adjustments as required.
    Revise Annex 6, Pre-shipment testing for PVY\N\, while undertaking 
a full 5-year review of RSPM 3, Movement of potatoes into a NAPPO 
member country. Update the current Annex 6 of RSPM 3, based on the PVY 
TAG Science and Technology document finalized in 2013, while 
undertaking the 5-year review of RSPM 3.
    10. Seeds: Develop harmonized criteria for evaluating phytosanitary 
seed treatments. Develop a discussion document providing a list of 
criteria for evaluating phytosanitary seed treatments, as well as the 
identification of data gaps and research needs where they may exist.
    11. Foundational/Procedural documents: Revision/update of various 
foundational or procedural documents. In 2016, NAPPO's Advisory and 
Management Committee has been working to update various NAPPO 
foundational and procedural documents. On July 6, 2016, NAPPO's 
Executive Committee approved an updated version of NAPPO's Constitution 
and By-Laws as well as the 2016-2020 NAPPO Strategic Plan. Edits in the 
Constitution and By-Laws were minor in nature to update terms and 
practices and to streamline the document. The new Strategic Plan 
outlines how NAPPO will be guided by regional priorities, core goals, 
and focus over the next 5 years. The documents were signed during the 
2016 NAPPO Annual Meeting.
    The PPQ Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to 
NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant 
health standards and projects, 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 under development or consideration. 
For updates on meeting times and for information on the expert groups 
that may become available following publication of this notice, visit 
the NAPPO Web site or contact Ms. Patricia Abad (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 Ms. Abad. 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 Ms. Abad.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of November 2016.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27791 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P