[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 14044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03789]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0075]


Notice of Decision To Authorize the Importation of Ugu Leaves 
(Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f.) From Nigeria Into the Continental 
United States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the 
importation of fresh Ugu leaves (Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f.) from 
Nigeria into the continental United States. Based on findings of a pest 
risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and 
comment through a previous notice, we have determined that the 
application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be 
sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant 
pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh Ugu leaves from 
Nigeria.

DATES: Imports may be authorized beginning February 26, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gina Stiltner, Senior Regulatory 
Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 
4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (518) 760-2468; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the regulations in ``Subpart L-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR 
319.56-1 through 319.56-12, referred to below as the regulations), the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or 
restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United 
States from certain parts of the world to prevent plant pests from 
being introduced into or disseminated within the United States.
    Section 319.56-4 contains a performance-based process for approving 
the importation of commodities that, based on the findings of a pest 
risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of the 
designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that 
section. Under that process, APHIS proposes to authorize the 
importation of a fruit or vegetable into the United States if, based on 
findings of a pest risk analysis, we determine that the measures can 
mitigate the plant pest risk associated with the importation of that 
fruit or vegetable. APHIS then publishes a notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the availability of the pest risk analysis that 
evaluates the risks associated with the importation of a particular 
fruit or vegetable. Following the close of the 60-day comment period, 
APHIS will issue a subsequent Federal Register notice announcing 
whether or not we will authorize the importation of the fruit or 
vegetable subject to the phytosanitary measures specified in the 
notice.
    In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the 
Federal Register on August 28, 2023 (88 FR 58542-58543, Docket No. 
APHIS-2021-0075) in which we announced the availability, for review and 
comment, of a pest risk analysis that evaluated the risks associated 
with the importation of fresh Ugu leaves (Telfairia occidentalis 
Hook.f.) from Nigeria into the continental United States. The pest risk 
analysis consisted of a risk assessment identifying pests of quarantine 
significance that could follow the pathway of the importation of fresh 
Ugu leaves (Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f.) from Nigeria into the 
continental United States and a risk management document (RMD) 
identifying phytosanitary measures to be applied to that commodity to 
mitigate the pest risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice and the supporting documents, go to 
www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2021-0075 in the Search field.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days, ending on October 
27, 2023. We received no comments by that date.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  319.56-4(c)(3)(iii), we are 
announcing our decision to authorize the importation into the 
continental United States of fresh Ugu leaves from Nigeria subject to 
the phytosanitary measures identified in the RMD that accompanied the 
initial notice.
    These conditions will be listed in the USDA, APHIS Agricultural 
Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database (https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/).\2\ In addition to these specific measures, 
each shipment must be subject to the general requirements listed in 
Sec.  319.56-3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and 
vegetables.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ On September 30, 2022, the APHIS Fruits and Vegetables 
Import Requirements (FAVIR) database was replaced by the ACIR 
database.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), the recordkeeping and burden requirements associated 
with this action are included under the Office of Management and Budget 
control number 0579-0049.

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 notice, please contact Mr. 
Joseph Moxey, APHIS' Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at (301) 851-
2483.

Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this action 
as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 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, this 20th day of February 2024.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03789 Filed 2-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P