USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON SOLID WOOD PACKING RISK ASSESSMENT DRAFT

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON SOLID WOOD PACKING RISK ASSESSMENT DRAFT    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is requesting comments from the industry regarding a draft report of its solid-wood packing risk assessment.
   The agency is considering to amend its regulations on the importation of solid-wood packing materials, such as crates, dunnage, pallets, spools and packing blocks. APHIS said the rules are needed to reduce the risks of introducing exotic pests into the United States.
   “This draft pest risk assessment will help us determine the level of risk associated with these importations and if a change to our regulations is needed,” said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator for plant protection and quarantine at APHIS.
   The draft assessment is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pra/swpm . Comments may be submitted to the agency through Feb. 14.