USDA ISSUES DETERMINATION OF PEST-FREE AREAS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a request from the government of the Republic of Chile to recognize additional areas as pest-free areas for Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in the Republic of Chile. After reviewing the documentation submitted in support of this request, the APHIS Administrator has determined that these areas meet the criteria for recognition as pest-free areas. The determination, as well as an evaluation document, is now available for public review and comment. After reviewing the comments received, APHIS will announce its decision regarding the pest-free status of Chile.

This notice is published in today's Feb. 1 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before April 2. You may submit comments by either of the following methods.

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Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetailandd=APHIS-2009-0082 to submit or view comments.

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Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0082, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0082.

Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and also can be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please call (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

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