Mexican Avocado Import Program

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 7 CFR Part 319 [Docket No. 03-022-5] RIN 0579-AB81 AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are amending the regulations governing the importation of fruits and vegetables to expand the number of States in which fresh Hass avocado fruit grown in approved orchards in approved municipalities in Michoacan, Mexico, may be distributed. We are also allowing the distribution of the avocados during all months of the year. For the first 2 years following the effective date of this rule, those avocados may be distributed in all States except California, Florida, and Hawaii; after 2 years, the avocados may be distributed in all States. We are taking this action in response to a request from the Government of Mexico and based on our finding that the phytosanitary measures described in this final rule will reduce the risk of introducing plant pests associated with Mexican Hass avocados into the United States. DATES: Effective Date: January 31, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Bedigian, Import Specialist, Phytosanitary Issues Management Team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-6799. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The regulations in “Subpart—Fruits and Vegetables” ( 7 CFR 319.56 through 319.56-8 ) prohibit or restrict the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain pa…