APHIS Reopens Comment Period For Proposed Rule on the Importation of Nursery Stock
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing that it has reopened its comment period until March 31, 2006, for a proposed rule to amend its regulations regarding the importation of nursery stock.
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This proposed rule would make several amendments to the nursery stock regulations including the following changes (partial list):
- Require that phytosanitary certificates include the genus and species names of the restricted articles they accompany;
- Allow restricted articles not required to be imported under written permit, to be imported or offered for importation at any designated CBP port of entry indicated in APHIS' regulations;
- Add or amend definitions in APHIS' regulations including the definitions of: preclearance, from, regulated plant, and restricted article;
- Eliminate various restrictions on the importation of plants in vitro and kenaf seed;
- Reduce the postentry quarantine growing period for Hydrangea spp. and for certain chrysanthemums; and
- Update the list of ports of entry and Federal plant inspection stations.
APHIS' proposed rule also proposed several other changes to update and clarify its regulations and improve their effectiveness, including changes to regulations on the following plants and/or plant products imported from various countries:
| Blueberry plants | Hydrangea spp. | Plants in growing media |
| Bulbs | New wooden baskets | Rubus spp. |
| Certain Seeds | Pelargonium plants | Unused clay pots |
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/13/06 news, 06011320, for BP summary of this proposed rule.)
- written comments are now due by March 31, 2006 (from February 13, 2006).
APHIS Contact - Dr. Arnold T. Tschanz (301) 734-5306
APHIS Notice (D/N 03-002-2, FR Pub 02/28/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2773.pdf