The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to adopt a notice-based process for changes to the import requirements for cut flowers. This will quicken response time to emerging or changing pest situations regarding their importation. APHIS would list import requirements for cut flowers in the U.S. Department of Agriculture database called the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR). Any updates to these requirements would occur through a noticed-based process rather than rulemaking.

APHIS is also proposing to remove entirely any restrictions on the importation of cut flowers of the genera Chrysanthemum, Leucanthemella, and Nipponanthemum from countries in which chrysanthemum white rust (Puccinia horiana P. Henn., CWR) is known to exist. APHIS has prepared an analysis, which we are making available for public review and comment, that evaluates the effectiveness of the current regulatory requirements in addressing the spread of CWR and examines possible economic impacts associated with removing these requirements.

We will consider all comments that we receive on these matters on or before June 16, 2023. To comment, go to www.regulations.gov and enter APHIS-2019-0024 in the Search field.

Original source can be found here