[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 12058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7217]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 58 / Monday, March 25, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 12058]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 96-016-1]
Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency Because of Karnal Bunt
An exotic fungal disease, Karnal bunt, has been detected in the
United States. The disease was detected in Arizona, and potentially
contaminated seed was sent to New Mexico and Texas. The disease had not
previously been detected in the United States.
Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) is a serious disease of wheat, durum
wheat, and triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye. The disease affects
both yield and grain quality. It adversely affects the color, odor, and
palatability of flour and other foodstuffs made from wheat. It does not
present a risk to human health.
If Karnal bunt is allowed to spread, the overall crop loss and
impact on quality may be significant. The disease could affect United
States grain exports. The United States is the world's leading wheat
exporter, accounting for one-third of the world wheat exports. Wheat
exports from the United States were valued at $4.9 billion in Fiscal
Year 1995. At least 21 countries are known to regulate or prohibit
grain movement on the basis of Karnal bunt.
Control and eradication of Karnal bunt is difficult. Management of
the disease is through quarantine and containment of regulated
articles. Initial emergency action was taken by the Arizona Department
of Agriculture (ADA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS). APHIS and ADA have instituted emergency quarantines on the
infected premises and are regulating the movement of seed, farm
equipment, and soil associated with the infected wheat.
This infection of Karnal bunt represents a threat to United States
wheat crops. It constitutes a real danger to the national economy and
seriously burdens interstate and foreign commerce. Therefore, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (the Department) has determined that an
extraordinary emergency exists because of the existence of Karnal bunt
in Arizona and possibly New Mexico and Texas.
The Department has reviewed the measures being taken by the States
of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to survey, regulate, and control
Karnal bunt and has consulted with the Governors of Arizona, New
Mexico, and Texas. Based on such review and consultation, the
Department has determined that measures being taken by the States of
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are inadequate because these States are
unable to take all of the measures required to obtain and maintain the
cooperation of the owners of wheat crops necessary to effectively and
efficiently control Karnal bunt.
Therefore, in accordance with 7 U.S.C. 150dd, this declaration of
extraordinary emergency authorizes the Secretary to: (1) seize,
quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or
otherwise dispose of, in such manner as the Secretary deems
appropriate, any product or article of any character whatsoever, or
means of conveyance that the Secretary has reason to believe is
infected by or contains Karnal bunt; (2) quarantine, treat, or apply
other remedial measures to, in such manner as the Secretary deems
appropriate, any premises, including articles on such premises, that
the Secretary has reason to believe are infected by Karnal bunt. The
Governors of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas have been informed of these
facts.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This declaration of extraordinary emergency shall
become effective March 20, 1996.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 96-7217 Filed 3-21-96; 9:27 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
