USDA changes phytosanitary regulations

USDA changes phytosanitary regulations    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has amended its phytosanitary treatment regulations by removing the lists of approved treatments and treatment schedules from the regulations, while keeping the general requirements for performing treatment and certifying or approving treatment activities.
   Approved treatment schedules will instead be found in the agency's Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, which is available on the Internet.
   The agency is also creating a new process to provide the public with notice and the opportunity to comment on changes to treatment schedules.
   In addition, APHIS is harmonizing and combining the requirements for performing irradiation treatment for imported articles, articles moved interstate from Hawaii and U.S. territories, and articles moved interstate from an area quarantined for fruit flies.
   'These changes will simplify and expedite the processes for adding, changing and removing treatment schedules while continuing to provide for public participation in the process,' APHIS said.
   The regulation changes become effective Feb. 25. View the Federal Register notice here.