Notice2026-07748
Importation of Fresh Leaves and Stems of Glasswort From Israel Into the United States
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Published
April 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Abstract
We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the importation of fresh leaves and stems of glasswort (Salicornia europaea L.) for consumption from Israel into the United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, 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 fresh leaves and stems of glasswort from Israel.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 21276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07748]
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Notices
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 76 / Tuesday, April 21, 2026 /
Notices
[[Page 21276]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2024-0047]
Importation of Fresh Leaves and Stems of Glasswort From Israel
Into the United States
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our decision to authorize the
importation of fresh leaves and stems of glasswort (Salicornia europaea
L.) for consumption from Israel into the United States. Based on the
findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public
for review and comment through a previous notice, 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 fresh
leaves and stems of glasswort from Israel.
DATES: Imports may be authorized beginning April 21, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gina Stiltner, Senior Regulatory
Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS,
500 New Karner Road, Suite 2, Albany, NY 12055; (518) 760-2468;
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#feb997909fd0b2d0ad8a97928a909b8cbeabadbabfd0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="44032d2a256a086a17302d28302a213604111700056a232b32">[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) of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture 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 and spread
within the United States.
Section 319.56-4 of the regulations contains a performance-based
process for approving the importation of commodities that, based on the
findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one
or more of the designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph
(b) of that section. Under this process, APHIS proposes to authorize
the importation of a fruit or vegetable into the United States if,
based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, we determine that the
measures can mitigate the plant pest risk associated with the
importation of that fruit or vegetable. APHIS then publishes a notice
in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the pest risk
analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of
that fruit or vegetable. Following the close of the 60-day comment
period, APHIS will issue a subsequent notice in the Federal Register
announcing whether or not we will authorize the importation of the
fruit or vegetable subject to the phytosanitary measures specified in
the notice.
In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the
Federal Register on April 11, 2025 (90 FR 15429-15429, Docket No.
APHIS-2024-0047), in which we announced the availability, for review
and comment, of a pest risk analysis that evaluated the risks
associated with the importation of fresh leaves and stems of glasswort
(Salicornia europaea L.) for consumption from Israel into the United
States. The pest risk analysis consisted of a risk assessment
identifying pests of quarantine significance that could follow the
pathway of importation of fresh leaves and stems of glasswort from
Israel and a risk management document (RMD) identifying phytosanitary
measures to be applied to that commodity to mitigate the pest risk.
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\1\ To view the notice, supporting documents, and the comments
we received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Enter APHIS-2024-0047 in the
Search field.
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We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending June 10,
2025. We received two comments from private citizens by that date. The
first commenter raised several issues beyond the scope of the docket,
asking for reevaluation of current United States policy regarding the
imposition of tariffs and non-engagement by the United States in the
ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The second commenter argued that glasswort should not be imported
under the category of fruits and vegetables for consumption because it
can be harmful to pets.
APHIS' processes for evaluating requests for market access for a
plant or plant product are specified in 7 CFR 319.5. In that subpart,
requests for market access must include the proposed end use of the
plant or plant product. In this case, the national plant protection
organization (NPPO) of Israel asked for market access for glasswort
intended for human consumption. Our analyses were predicated on this
intended end use, and glasswort from Israel manifested or otherwise
labeled for pet food use will be refused entry into the United States.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 319.56-4(c)(3)(iii), we are
announcing our decision to authorize the importation of fresh leaves
and stems of glasswort (Salicornia europaea L.) for consumption from
Israel into the United States subject to the phytosanitary measures
identified in the RMD that accompanied the initial notice. These
conditions will be listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's APHIS
Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database (<a href="https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/">https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/</a>). In addition to these specific measures, each
shipment must be subject to the general requirements listed in Sec.
319.56-3 that are applicable to the importation of all fruits and
vegetables.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), the recordkeeping and burden requirements associated
with this action are covered under the Office of Management and Budget
control number 0579-0049.
(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 17th day of April 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07748 Filed 4-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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