FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2020-04
February 4, 2020To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the Karnal bunt regulated areas in La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties in Arizona. Following a review of the results of the 2019 survey of Karnal bunt-regulated areas, APHIS is reducing the regulated area by 38,547 field acres in accordance with the criteria listed in 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 301.89-3(f). Therefore, there will be no more restrictions on the interstate movement of Karnal bunt-regulated articles from these areas. Specifically, APHIS is removing 2,167 field acres from La Paz County, 29,353 field acres from Maricopa County, and 7,027 field acres from Pinal County from the list of regulated areas. The field acres removed in La Paz County are part of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation that is home to the Chemehuevi, Mohave, Hopi, and Navajo Tribes. In addition, APHIS is adding one field (seven field acres) in the Palo Verde area of Maricopa County to the list of regulated areas. APHIS is adding this formerly abandoned field, not because we detected Karnal bunt, but because it is now productive agricultural land and is located within a regulated area. We have determined that this field meets the criteria for regulation outlined in 7 CFR § 301.89-3(e). This field is not on Tribal land. APHIS is taking this regulatory action to prevent the spread of Karnal bunt from Arizona. Karnal bunt is a pest that affects wheat quality. APHIS regulates this plant disease because many trading partners require that U.S. wheat be certified as grown in areas free of Karnal bunt. APHIS will follow this emergency action with the publication of an interim rule in the Federal Register. More information on Karnal bunt is available at the following website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/kb For additional information about the Karnal bunt program, please call National Policy Manager, Lynn Evans-Goldner, at 301-851-2286. /s/Osama A. El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
