New Fields for Karnal Bunt Proposed

April 25, 2001

USDA is proposing to add new fields to the list of areas regulated for Karnal bunt following the detection of bunted kernels in grain harvested from these fields. At the same time, USDA is proposing to remove certain fields from the list of regulated areas in instances where wheat is no longer grown in the fields or where the wheat has tested negative for Karnal bunt.

The proposals would help prevent the spread of Karnal bunt into noninfested areas of the United States while at the same time removing restrictions where they no longer appear to be warranted, USDA said. Certain areas in the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas are currently regulated for Karnal bunt by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat that is spread through the planting of infected seed. Failure to prevent the spread of this fungal disease could have a significant impact on the United States' ability to export wheat to international markets.

For more information, contact Vedpal S. Malik, import specialist, national Karnal bunt coordinator, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 134, Riverdale, Md. 20737, (301) 734-6774. Notice of this action is published in the April 20 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before June 19. Send an original and three copies to Docket No. 00-088-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holiday. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 720-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.