related quarantine, foreign: Orchids in growing media; importation,

[Federal Register: October 29, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 209)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 57932]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29oc98-13]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 57932]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

7 CFR Part 319

[Docket No. 98-035-2]

Importation of Orchids in Growing Media

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are extending by 30 days the comment period for our proposed rule that would add orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis to the list of plants that may be imported in an approved growing medium subject to specified growing, inspection, and certification requirements. This extension will provide interested parties additional time to prepare their comments on the proposed rule.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments on Docket No. 98- 035-1 that are received on or before December 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to Docket No. 98-035-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-035-1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Peter M. Grosser, Senior Import Specialist, Phytosanitary Issues Management Team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-6799; fax (301) 734-5786; e-mail: Peter.M.Grosser@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On September 1, 1998, we published in the Federal Register (63 FR 46403-46406, Docket No. 98-035-1) a proposed rule to amend the regulations governing the importation of plants and plant products to add orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis to the list of plants that may be imported in an approved growing medium subject to specified growing, inspection, and certification requirements.

Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before November 2, 1998. However, in response to requests received following the publication of the proposed rule, we are extending by 30 days the comment period for the proposed rule. Therefore, we will consider all comments that are received on or before December 2, 1998.

Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of October, 1998. Joan M. Arnoldi, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 98-28997Filed10-28-98; 8:45 am]

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