./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/121
8 May 1998
(98-1837)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
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):
Rhododendron from Europe.
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Importation of Rhododendron
Established in Growing Media.
5. Description of content:  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection  Service (APHIS) is
reopening and extending the comment period on a proposal to allow the importation of
Rhododendron established in growing media, originally published in the Federal Register 7
September 1993.  Final action on that proposal had been deferred to allow consultation
regarding the action with the United States Fish  and Wildlife Service, in accordance with the
Endangered Wildlife Service, in accordance  with the Endangered Species Act.  That
consultation has been completed, and, as a result, the proposed action has been limited to
Rhododendron imported from Europe.  The orig inal publication in 1993 proposed to allow
the importation of five genera of plants established in growing media.  In a final rule
published in the Federal register on 13 January 1995, APHIS finalized provisions for
importation of Alstroemeris, Ananas, Anthurium ,  and Nidularium .  The final rule postponed
action on Rhododendron established in growing media.  The consultations on Rhododendron
are now completed, in compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.  That
consultation revealed that if Rhododendron  in growing media is imported from Europe in
accordance with the requirements proposed by APHIS, such importation is not likely to
adversely affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats.  However theconsultation also revealed that insufficient data has been assembled to conclusively
demonstrate that importing Rhododendron  in growing media from areas other than Europe
would not adversely affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats.  Therefore, we
are modifying the provisions of the proposed rule that apply to Rhododendron , to apply only
to Rhododendron  from Europe.  This reopening of the comment period will allow interested
parties an opportunity to comment on this change to the original proposal.
6. Objective and rationale:   Plant health.G/SPS/N/USA/121
Page 2
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [ X ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  63 FR 23683,
30 April 1998 (Available in English, 3 pages);  7 CFR Part 319.
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  The effective date will be given upon publication of the
Final Rule in the Federal Register.
11. Final date for comments:   1 June 1998.
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:
USDA/FAS/FSTSD
ATTN: Carolyn F. Wilson
Room 5545 South Agriculture BuildingStop 1027
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone (202) 720-2239
Fax (202) 690-0677
     E-mail Address:  ofsts@fas.usda.gov