The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on draft pest risk assessments for the importation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and melon (Cucumis melo) seeds for planting from all countries. 

APHIS prepared pest risk assessments for spinach and for melon seeds for planting to aid and inform APHIS’ Regulatory Framework for Seed Health (ReFreSH), as well as to assist entities participating in ReFreSH for these two crops. ReFreSH is a voluntary program developed by APHIS in collaboration with the seed industry, State and Federal officials, academia, and others to provide a more effective and efficient program for managing phytosanitary risks associated with the global trade of seed. Additional information on ReFreSH can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/refresh. APHIS will use these pest risk assessments to identify the pests for spinach and melon that must be addressed by entities participating in ReFreSH for these two crops. 

APHIS is seeking public comments on the draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have additional information that may lead us to revise our assessments. The draft pest risk assessments for spinach and for melon seeds for planting from all countries will be available for review and comment until May 4, 2023. To view the assessments or submit comments, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/risk-assessment-consultation.

Original source can be found here.