Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Interstate Movement of Fresh Leaves and Rhizomes of Wasabi From Hawaii Into the Continental 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 interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) for consumption from Hawaii into the continental United States. The interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii into the continental United States is not currently authorized. Based on the findings of the pest risk 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 interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii. 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 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65717-65718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21223]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2025-0408]


Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Interstate 
Movement of Fresh Leaves and Rhizomes of Wasabi 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 that evaluates the risks associated with the interstate 
movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) for 
consumption from Hawaii into the continental United States. The 
interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii 
into the continental United States is not currently authorized. Based 
on the findings of the pest risk 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 interstate movement of fresh leaves and 
rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii. 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 
December 15, 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-

[[Page 65718]]

2025-0408 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-2025-0408, 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: Dr. Derek A. Woller, Senior Regulatory 
Policy Specialist, Pest Exclusion and Import Permits, Import 
Regulations and Manuals, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, 
APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705; (480) 490-6454; 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fbbf9e899e90d5bad5ac9497979e89bbaea8bfbad59c948d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2a687908789cca3ccb58d8e8e8790a2b7b1a6a3cc858d94">[email&#160;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 and the Territories that, based on the findings of a pest 
risk analysis, can be safely moved interstate subject to one or more of 
the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of 
that section.
    APHIS received a request from the State of Hawaii to allow the 
interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi (Eutrema 
japonicum) from Hawaii into the continental United States. As part of 
our evaluation of Hawaii's request, we have prepared a pest risk 
assessment to identify the pests of quarantine significance that could 
follow the pathway of the interstate movement of fresh leaves and 
rhizomes of wasabi into the continental United States from Hawaii. 
Based on the pest risk assessment, a risk management document (RMD) was 
prepared to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to 
the fresh leaves and rhizomes of wasabi to mitigate the pest risk.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  318.13-4(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 interstate movement of fresh leaves 
and rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii, 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 interstate movement status of fresh leaves and 
rhizomes of wasabi from Hawaii 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 interstate movement of fresh leaves and rhizomes 
of wasabi from Hawaii into the continental United States subject to the 
requirements 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 5th day of October 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21223 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P


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