. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/134
9 September 1998
(98-3422)
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):   Orchids
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Importation of Orchids in Growing
Media
5. Description of content:  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of plants and plant products
to add orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis  to the list of plants that may be imported in an
approved growing medium subject to specif ied growing, inspection and certification
requirements.  We have assessed the pest risks associated with the importation of
Phalaenopsis  spp. orchids established in growing media and have determined that the
degree of pest risk is no greater than the pest risk associated with the importation of bare-
rooted Phalaenopsis  spp. orchids, which may already be imported under the regulations.
This proposed rule would allow Phalaenopsis  spp. orchids established in growing media to
be imported into the United States under certain conditions.
6. Objective and rationale: Expansion of types of plants already allowed in under nursery
stock quarantine while maintaining strict plant health safeguards.
7. An international standard, guideline or  recommendation does not exist [  ]  APHIS is
taking this action in accordance with Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC).
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 46403, 1 September 1998 (Available in English, 4 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.G/SPS/N/USA/134
Page 2
11. Final date for comments:  2 November 1998
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:   
United States SPS Enquiry Point
USDA/FAS/FSTSDAttn:  Carolyn F. Wilson
Room 5545 South Agriculture Building
Stop 1027
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone:  (202) 720-2239
Fax:  (202) 690-0677E-mail:  ofsts@fas.usda.gov