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USDA/APHIS RIN: 0579-AE05 Publication ID: Fall 2016 
Title: ●Mexican Hass Avocado Import Program 
Abstract:

Commercial consignments of Hass avocado fruit are currently authorized entry into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico from the Mexican State of Michoacán under a systems approach to mitigate against quarantine pests of concern. We are amending the regulations to allow the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico from all of Mexico, provided individual Mexican States meet the requirements set out in the regulations and the operational work plan. Initially, this action would only apply to the Mexican State of Jalisco. With the exception of a clarification of the language concerning when sealed, insect-proof containers would be required to be used in shipping and the removal of mandatory fruit cutting at land and maritime borders, the current systems approach will not change. The current systems approach, which includes requirements for orchard certification, traceback labeling, pre-harvest orchard surveys, orchard sanitation, post-harvest safeguards, fruit cutting and inspection at the packinghouse, port-of-arrival inspection, and clearance activities, will be required for importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from all approved areas of Mexico. The fruit will also be required to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of Mexico with an additional declaration stating that the consignment was produced in accordance with the systems approach described in the operational work plan. This final rule will allow for the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Mexico while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 7 CFR 319   
Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450    7 U.S.C. 7701 to 7772    7 U.S.C. 7781 to 7786    21 U.S.C. 136 and 136(a)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/18/2015  80 FR 8561   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/20/2015 
Final Rule  05/27/2016  81 FR 33581   
Final Rule Effective  06/27/2016 
Additional Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
David B. Lamb
Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, IRM, PPQ
Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road, Unit 133,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Phone:301 851-2103