. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/145
3 February 1999
(99-0411)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:   Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Unmanufactured wood articles and solid wood packing material
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Importation of Unmanufactured
Wood Articles;  Solid Wood Packing Material
5. Description of content:  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
soliciting public comment on how to amend the regulations on the importation of logs,
lumber, and other unmanufactured wood articles to decrease the risk of solid wood packing
material (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, packing blocks) introducing exoticplant pests into the United States.  Introductions of exotic plant pests such as the pine shoot
beetle and the Asian longhorned beetle have been linked to the importation of solid wood
packing material. These and other plant pests that could be carried by imported solid wood
packing material pose a serious threat to US agriculture and to natural cultivated, and urban
forests.
6. Objective and rationale:  Plant  health
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:   APHIS  is taking this action in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 1
of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available: 64 FR 3049,
20 January 1999 (Available in English, 4 pages);  7 CFR Part 319
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  To be determined.G/SPS/N/USA/145
Page 2
11. Final date for comments:  22 March  1999
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:   Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:   
United States SPS Enquiry Point:
USDA/FAS/FSTSD
Attn: Carolyn F. Wilson
Room 5545 South Agriculture Building
Stop 1027
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone:  (202) 720-2239Fax:  (202) 690-0677
E-mail: ofsts@fas.usda.gov