APHIS Publishes Final Rule to Establish Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid Regulated Areas and Interstate Movement Restrictions

FOR INFORMATION
DA-2012-44
October 19, 2012

SUBJECT:  APHIS Publishes Final Rule to Establish Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid Regulated Areas and Interstate Movement Restrictions

TO:  STATE AND TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY OFFICIALS

On October 1, 2012, APHIS adopted a final rule that established regulated areas due to the presence of citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and restrictions on interstate movement of regulated articles from these areas.  To improve clarity and facilitate regulatory compliance, the final rule incorporates several non-substantive editorial amendments to the existing interim rule.  These changes, which become effective on October 31, include: 

• clarification of labeling requirements for regulated nursery stock;
• addition of the alternative name” Huanglongbing” to the definition of citrus greening; and
• clarification of treatment policies related to methyl bromide and irradiation.

The rule also provides notice that effective October 1, APHIS expanded the ACP regulated area to include American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and portions of California and added portions of Texas and California to the citrus greening regulated area.  The updated list of areas regulated for citrus greening and ACP is attached to this notice and is also available at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/citrus_greening/index.shtml

For additional information regarding this program, please contact Dr. Prakash Hebbar, National Citrus Health Response Program Coordinator, at (301) 851-2228 or Lynn Evans-Goldner, National Policy Manager for citrus disease Programs, at (301) 851-2286.

    /s/ Osama A. El-Lissy   /for

Rebecca A. Bech
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine