[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 2132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00569]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0035]


Notice of Affirmation of Addition of Treatments for Aircraft for 
Certain Hitchhiking Pests

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are affirming our earlier determination that is was 
necessary to immediately add two new treatment schedules for aircraft 
for regulated pests to the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 
Treatment Manual. In a previous notice, we made available to the public 
for review and comment a treatment evaluation document that discussed 
the existing treatment schedules, described the new treatment 
schedules, and explained why these changes were immediately added to 
the PPQ Treatment Manual. Based on the treatment evaluation document 
and the comments we received, we are affirming the addition of those 
new treatments to the PPQ Treatment Manual.

DATES: The addition of the treatments is affirmed as of January 16, 
2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Balady, Senior Regulatory 
Policy Specialist, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 851-2240.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR chapter III are 
intended, among other things, to prevent the introduction or 
dissemination of plant pests and noxious weeds into or within the 
United States. Under the regulations, certain plants, fruits, 
vegetables, and other articles must be treated before they may be moved 
into the United States or interstate. The phytosanitary treatments 
regulations contained in part 305 of 7 CFR chapter III (referred to 
below as the regulations) set out standards for treatments required in 
parts 301, 318, and 319 of 7 CFR chapter III for fruits, vegetables, 
and other articles.
    In Sec.  305.2, paragraph (b) states that approved treatment 
schedules are set out in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 
Treatment Manual.\1\ Section 305.3 sets out the processes for adding, 
revising, or removing treatment schedules in the PPQ Treatment Manual. 
In that section, paragraph (b) sets out the process for adding, 
revising, or removing treatment schedules when there is an immediate 
need to make a change. The circumstances in which an immediate need 
exists are described in Sec.  305.3(b)(1). They are:
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    \1\ The PPQ Treatment Manual is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/index.shtml or by 
contacting the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant 
Protection and Quarantine, Manuals Unit, 92 Thomas Johnson Drive, 
Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21702.
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     PPQ has determined that an approved treatment schedule is 
ineffective at neutralizing the targeted plant pest(s).
     PPQ has determined that, in order to neutralize the 
targeted plant pest(s), the treatment schedule must be administered 
using a different process than was previously used.
     PPQ has determined that a new treatment schedule is 
effective, based on efficacy data, and that ongoing trade in a 
commodity or commodities may be adversely impacted unless the new 
treatment schedule is approved for use.
     The use of a treatment schedule is no longer authorized by 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or by any other Federal 
entity.
    In accordance with Sec.  305.3(b)(2), we published a notice \2\ in 
the Federal Register on August 8, 2017 (82 FR 37042-37043, Docket No. 
APHIS-2016-0035), in which we announced the availability, for review 
and comment, of a treatment evaluation document (TED) we prepared to 
discuss the existing treatment schedules, describe the new treatment 
schedules, and explain why certain changes were immediately necessary.
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    \2\ To view the notice, the TED, and the comments we received, 
go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2016-0035.
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    We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on October 
10, 2017. We received two comments by that date, from private citizens. 
Both commenters supported the addition of the treatment schedules.
    Therefore, in accordance with the regulations in Sec.  305.3(b)(3), 
we are affirming our addition of the two new treatment schedules (T409-
a and T409-b-3) for aircraft for regulated pests to the PPQ Treatment 
Manual. The treatment schedules will be listed in the PPQ Treatment 
Manual, which is available as described in footnote 1.

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

    Done in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2018.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-00569 Filed 1-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P