Irradiation Comment Period Extended

August 7, 2000

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the comment period on a proposal to allow irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for fruits and vegetables imported into the United States.

"In consideration of public interest and because of technical problems receiving public comment electronically, we are reopening and extending the comment period for an additional 15 days," said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator of plant protection and quarantine with APHIS, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs area.

APHIS is proposing regulations that would allow the use of irradiation to control 10 species of fruit flies in imported fruits and vegetables. Irradiation would provide an alternative to current control methods, such as fumigation as well as cold and heat treatments. Fruit flies, one of many invasive species APHIS is trying to keep out of the United States, could cause severe damage to American agriculture. Notice of this actions was scheduled for publication in the Aug. 4 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.

Interested parties are invited to comment on this proposed regulation. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Aug. 21. Send an original and three copies to Docket No. 98-030-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. Comments may be reviewed at USDA, South Building, Room 1141, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Persons who want to review comments should call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room. For more information, contact Donna L. West, import specialist, phytosanitary issues management team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1236, telephone (301) 734-6799. For technical irradiation issues, contact Arnold Foudin, assistant director, scientific services, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1237, telephone (301) 734-7710. # Note: USDA news releases.