Search Results for agency_names:"Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service"

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has decided to allow the importation of fresh rosemary and tarragon leaves and stems from Ethiopia into the continental United States. This decision follows a review of pest risk analyses, which showed that specific phytosanitary measures will effectively reduce the risk of spreading plant pests and noxious weeds. The importation is set to begin on December 20, 2024, and will adhere to the measures specified in the USDA APHIS Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying a records system called the APHIS Veterinary Services User Fee System to be renamed as the APHIS User Fee System. This system helps track and process fees for services APHIS provides, such as inspections, through a user fee collection method. The modifications will include updating system management details, expanding covered categories, and enhancing security measures. Individuals affected by these changes must submit comments by May 12, 2025.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is planning to release an insect called Lilioceris egena to help control the invasive air potato plant, Dioscorea bulbifera, across the continental United States. After studying the potential environmental impact, APHIS believes that releasing this insect won't cause significant harm to the environment. They have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) document detailing their findings and are inviting the public to review and comment on this EA by February 8, 2021. This effort aims to manage the spread of air potato, which threatens native vegetation in several states, including Florida, where it's already widespread.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working on an environmental impact statement (EIS) to explore different approaches to managing predator damage in Oregon. They are seeking public comments to help outline various alternatives, environmental issues, and other concerns to be considered in the EIS. This effort includes cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and aims to replace existing environmental assessments with a more comprehensive analysis. The public is encouraged to submit comments and scientific data by February 22, 2021.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a delay in the implementation of a set of record exemptions related to the Privacy Act. Originally set to be effective from January 10, 2025, these exemptions will now be postponed until April 11, 2025, following a regulatory freeze directive from the President. The records pertain to the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance National Information Communication Activity System (SNICAS), which tracks activities to prevent illegal importation of commodities. The delay allows APHIS to further review the exemptions, which restrict public access to certain law enforcement records.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA is requesting permission to revise and extend an information collection related to preventing the spread of the gypsy moth from Canada to non-infested areas in the United States. This collection is needed to ensure compliance with regulations that require certain inspection and documentation for importing items like Christmas trees and logs. APHIS is asking for public comments on whether these information collection activities are necessary and useful, and if their burden on respondents can be minimized. They estimate that the collection applies to about 3,201 respondents and totals approximately 4,358 burden hours annually.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA has released a final supplemental environmental assessment and found no significant environmental impact in their response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in U.S. migratory bird flyways. This assessment updates an earlier one from September 2022 that only covered initial outbreaks in seven states. Since then, the virus has affected approximately 110 million birds across 49 states. Public comments, which raised concerns about consultation with other agencies and environmental effects, were considered, and the final documents reflect responses to those concerns.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding 33 new varieties of black stem rust-resistant barberry plants to the list of regulated articles. This change allows these plant varieties to be moved between states without restrictions, as they don't pose a risk of spreading the disease that affects crops like wheat and oats. The update follows the discovery that one variety, previously omitted, should be included as resistant to black stem rust, correcting earlier oversight. The announcement was published in the Federal Register, marking the official addition and correction of barberry plant classifications.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has added Nicaragua to its list of regions affected by screwworm, a pest that can harm animals. This action was taken after screwworm was confirmed in Nicaragua in March 2024. As a result, animals such as horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs coming from Nicaragua must comply with specific import restrictions to prevent the pest from entering the United States. These measures include inspection and treatment requirements detailed in federal regulations.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is sharing a pest risk analysis regarding the importation of fresh wasabi rhizomes from Indonesia into the United States. This analysis identifies potential plant pests and outlines phytosanitary measures to mitigate risk. Public feedback on this assessment is welcome until March 17, 2025. If feedback does not alter the current conclusions, APHIS will permit the import subject to specified requirements.