The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing an interim rule to amend the regulations governing the importation of nursery stock to prohibit the importation of propagative seed of several Rutaceae (citrus family) genera from certain countries where citrus greening or citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is present.

APHIS is also requiring propagative seed of these genera imported from all other countries to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that neither citrus greening nor CVC are known to occur in the country where the seed was produced. Scientific evidence indicates that seed of certain genera of the family Rutaceae may be a pathway for the introduction of those diseases. This action is necessary in order to prevent the introduction of citrus greening and CVC into unaffected areas of the United States, APHIS declared.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before June 7.