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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
Notice of availability.
We are advising the public that we have prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the interstate movement of fresh turmeric rhizomes ( Curcuma longa L.) for consumption from Puerto Rico into the continental 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 interstate movement of fresh turmeric rhizomes from Puerto Rico. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 25, 2026.
You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at www.regulations.gov 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.
Dr. Derek A. Woller, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, Pest Exclusion and Import Permits, Import Regulations and Manuals, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, PPQ, APHIS, 1400 Independence SW, Washington, DC 20250; (480) 490-6454; Derek.A.Woller@USDA.gov.
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 government of Puerto Rico to allow the interstate movement of fresh rhizomes of turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) (Zingiberaceae) for consumption from Puerto Rico into the continental United States. As part of our evaluation of the 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 rhizomes of turmeric into the continental United States from Puerto Rico. Based on the pest risk assessment, a risk management document (RMD) was prepared to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the turmeric to mitigate the pest risk.
Therefore, in accordance with § 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 turmeric rhizomes from Puerto Rico, may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov 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 turmeric rhizomes from Puerto Rico 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 turmeric rhizomes for consumption from Puerto Rico 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 20th day of July 2026.
Kelly Moore,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15092 Filed 7-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
This document has a comment period that ends in 17 days. (09/25/2026) Submit a public comment