Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Coconut Fruit From Belize Into the United States

Issuing agencies

Abstract

We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of fresh coconut fruit from Belize 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 fresh coconut fruit from Belize. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.

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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 58838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19044]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 179 / Thursday, September 17, 2026 / 
Notices

[[Page 58838]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2022-0072]


Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the 
Importation of Fresh Coconut Fruit From Belize 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 coconut fruit from Belize 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 fresh coconut fruit from Belize. 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 
November 16, 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-2022-0072 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-2022-0072, 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: Mr. Zachary Schultzhaus, Regulatory 
Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705; (301) 851-4022; 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#247e45474c45565d0a77474c5148505e4c45515764515740450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="277d46444f46555e0974444f524b535d4f465254675254434609404851">[email&#160;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 Belize to allow the importation of fresh (green, 
unhusked) coconut (Cocos nucifera) fruit from Belize into the United 
States. As part of our evaluation of Belize'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 coconut fruit 
into the United States from Belize. Based on the pest risk assessment, 
a risk management document (RMD) was prepared to identify phytosanitary 
measures that could be applied to the fresh coconut to mitigate the 
pest risk.
    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 coconut from 
Belize, 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 coconut fruit from Belize 
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 fresh coconut fruit from Belize 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 11th day of September 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19044 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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