Notice2026-04205
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Globe Artichoke From Sardinia, Italy Into the United States
Primary source
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Published
March 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Abstract
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of fresh, immature flower buds of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus, also known as spiny artichoke) from Sardinia, Italy into the United States. Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of globe artichoke from Sardinia, Italy into the United States. 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 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 10365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04205]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0006]
Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the
Importation of Globe Artichoke From Sardinia, Italy Into the 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 that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of
fresh, immature flower buds of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus,
also known as spiny artichoke) from Sardinia, Italy into the United
States. Based on the analysis, we have determined that the application
of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to
mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or
noxious weeds via the importation of globe artichoke from Sardinia,
Italy into the United States. 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 May
4, 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-2024-0006 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-2024-0006, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., #AP760, 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 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: Ms. Mafalda Santos, Senior Regulatory
Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS,
1400 Independence SW, Washington, DC 20250; (585) 300-3558;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8c5c9cec9c4ccc986dbc9c6dcc7dbe8fdfbece986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="177a7671767b737639647679637864574244535639707861">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under the regulations in ``Subpart L-Fruits and Vegetables'' (7 CFR
319.56-1 through 319.56-12, referred to below as the regulations), the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or
restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United
States from certain parts of the world to prevent plant pests from
being introduced into or disseminated within the United States.
Section 319.56-4 contains a performance-based process for approving
the importation of fruits and vegetables that, based on the findings of
a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of
the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of
that section.
APHIS received a request from the national plant protection
organization of Italy to allow the importation of fresh, immature
flower buds of globe artichoke \1\ (Cynara cardunculus) from Sardinia,
Italy into the United States. As part of our evaluation of Italy's
request, we have prepared a pest risk assessment to identify the pests
of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of the
importation of fresh, immature flower buds of globe artichoke into the
United States from Sardinia, Italy. Based on the pest risk assessment,
a risk management document (RMD) was prepared to identify phytosanitary
measures that could be applied to the globe artichokes to mitigate the
pest risk.
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\1\ Cynara cardunculus is known commonly both as globe artichoke
and spiny artichoke.
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Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 319.56-4(c), we are announcing
the availability of our pest risk assessment and RMD for public review
and comment. Those documents, as well as a description of the economic
considerations associated with the importation of fresh, immature
flower buds of globe artichoke from Sardinia, Italy, 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
assessment 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 the import status of fresh, immature flower buds of
globe artichoke from Sardinia, Italy 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 authorize the importation of globe artichoke
from Sardinia, Italy into the United States subject to the requirements
specified in the RMD.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136
and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.
Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of February 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04205 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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