Notice2026-01649
Notice of Proposed Revision to Requirements for the Movement of Fresh Persian Lime Fruit for Consumption From Hawaii Into the Continental United States
Primary source
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Published
January 28, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Abstract
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis relative to the interstate movement of fresh Persian lime fruit (Citrus latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka) for consumption into the continental United States. The interstate movement of fresh Persian lime fruit from Hawaii into the continental United States is currently authorized, provided that the limes are either subject to forced hot air treatment or irradiation. Based on the findings of the risk analysis, we are also proposing to authorize the interstate movement of fresh Persian lime fruit for consumption from Hawaii under a systems approach as an alternative to the current mitigation structures. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3705-3706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01649]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2025-0034]
Notice of Proposed Revision to Requirements for the Movement of
Fresh Persian Lime Fruit for Consumption From Hawaii Into the
Continental United States
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk
analysis relative to the interstate movement of fresh Persian lime
fruit (Citrus latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka) for consumption into the
continental United States. The interstate movement of fresh Persian
lime fruit from Hawaii into the continental United States is currently
authorized, provided that the limes are either subject to forced hot
air treatment or irradiation. Based on the findings of the risk
analysis, we are also proposing to authorize the interstate movement of
fresh Persian lime fruit for consumption from Hawaii under a systems
approach as an alternative to the current mitigation structures. We are
making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and
comment.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March
30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Enter APHIS-2025-0034 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab,
then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
<bullet> Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS-2025-0034, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> or in our reading room, which is
located in room 1620 of the USDA South
[[Page 3706]]
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC.
Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Derek A. Woller, Senior Regulatory
Policy Specialist, Pest Exclusion and Import Permits, Import
Regulations and Manuals, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ,
APHIS, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250, (480) 490-6454;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a9edccdbccc287e887fec6c5c5ccdbe9fcfaede887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7f3d2c5d2dc99f699e0d8dbdbd2c5f7e2e4f3f699d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under the regulations in ``Subpart A-Regulated Articles From Hawaii
and the Territories'' (7 CFR 318.13-1 through 318.13-17, referred to
below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the movement in interstate
commerce of any plant or plant product from Hawaii and the Territories
to prevent plant pests or noxious weeds from being introduced into or
disseminated within the United States.
Section 318.13-4 contains a performance-based process for
authorizing the interstate movement of certain fruits and vegetables
from Hawaii or the Territories, as well as revising the requirements
for interstate movement of fruits and vegetables from Hawaii or the
Territories. Paragraph (c)(1) of Sec. 318.13-4 provides that the name
and origin of all fruits and vegetables authorized for interstate
movement may be found at <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/complete-list-of-electronic-manuals">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/complete-list-of-electronic-manuals</a>. This web address
provides access to a list of APHIS manuals governing the movement of
articles from Hawaii and the Territories.
Paragraph (c)(4) of Sec. 318.13-4 provides that, if the
Administrator of APHIS determines that any of the phytosanitary
measures required for the interstate movement of a particular fruit or
vegetable are no longer necessary to reasonably mitigate the plant pest
risk posed by the fruit or vegetable, APHIS will publish a notice in
the Federal Register making its pest risk documentation and
determination available for public comment.
Currently, the interstate movement of fresh Persian lime fruit
(Citrus latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka) for consumption from Hawaii is
listed in the Hawaii Manual found at <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/complete-list-of-electronic-manuals">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/complete-list-of-electronic-manuals</a> as authorized
interstate movement into the continental United States, provided that
the limes are treated with forced hot air treatment in accordance with
APHIS treatment schedule T103-b-1 or irradiation treatment in
accordance with treatment schedule T105-a-1.
The State of Hawaii has requested whether a systems approach could
be used as an alternative to the current mitigation structures. Based
on this request, APHIS prepared a pest risk assessment that evaluated
the pest risk associated with the interstate movement of fresh Persian
lime fruit for consumption from Hawaii into the continental United
States. APHIS made this initial pest risk assessment available for
stakeholder review from December 3, 2024, to January 17, 2025,
providing an informal opportunity for comment. Based on the conclusions
of this pest risk assessment and stakeholder consultation, APHIS
prepared a supplemental pest-specific risk assessment to determine the
pest risk potential for Bactocera dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly, or OFF)
on fresh Persian lime fruit for consumption from Hawaii. This latter
assessment concludes that there is no evidence that undamaged,
commercially produced Persian lime is a host of OFF. Based on these two
risk assessments, a risk management document (RMD) was prepared to
identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the Persian
limes to mitigate the pest risk.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 318.13-4(c), we are announcing
the availability of our pest risk assessments and RMD for public review
and comment. Those documents, as well as a description of the economic
considerations associated with the interstate movement of Persian limes
for consumption from Hawaii under the terms of the systems approach,
may be viewed on the <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> website or in our reading room
(see ADDRESSES above for a link to <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> and information on
the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper
copies of the pest risk assessments and RMD by calling or writing to
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer
to the subject of the analysis you wish to review when requesting
copies.
After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our
decision regarding whether to revise the requirements for the
interstate movement of Persian limes for consumption from Hawaii into
the continental United States to provide an alternative to the current
mitigation structures in a subsequent notice. If the overall
conclusions of our analysis and the Administrator's determination of
risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then
we will revise the requirements for the interstate movement of Persian
limes for consumption from Hawaii to authorize the systems approach
specified in the RMD.
Authority:7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and
371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of January 2026.
Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01649 Filed 1-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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