Comment Period Extended For EU Imports Of Apples And Pears

Posted by Christina Herrick|April 26, 2016

USDA APHIS is extending the comment period on the proposed rule that would amend the regulations to allow the importation of fresh apple (Malus domestica) and pear fruit (Pyrus communis) from certain countries in the European Union into the continental U.S. This action will allow interested parties additional time to prepare and submit comments. The comment period is extended until May 5.

On Jan. 20, APHIS published in the Federal Register a proposal to amend the regulations to allow the importation of fresh apple and pear fruit from Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands into the continental U.S. provided that the fruit is produced in accordance with a systems approach. The proposed rule provides an alternative to importation under the current preclearance program. Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before March 21. At the request of many interested persons, APHIS has extended the comment period for 45 days to May 5.

APHIS will carefully review and consider all comments received before the close of the comment period and then make its decision regarding any change to the Agency’s import regulations for fresh apples and pears from Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2015-0073, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
Supporting documents and any comments on this docket may be viewed online or in the USDA reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.