This interim rule is effective June 1. Comments can be submitted by July 31 to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the drop-down menu.

ISPM 15 is an international standard for wood packaging material established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Under ISPM 15 and U.S. regulations, all regulated wood packaging material must be appropriately treated and marked under an official program developed and overseen by the national plant protection organization of the country of export.

One of the allowed treatments is fumigation with methyl bromide. The interim rule is updating the methyl bromide treatment schedule in the regulations to reflect modifications adopted by IPPC members in April 2006. These modifications changed the exposure time from 16 to 24 hours and adjusted the concentration readings per cubic meter accordingly; however, the dosage rate of methyl bromide remains the same. APHIS therefore believes the changes will have only a small effect on foreign exporters of goods shipped to the U.S. using wood packaging materials and does not anticipate any measurable impact on the flow of trade.

The changes to the treatment schedule do not increase the application rate for methyl bromide but they do increase the length of time for the fumigation. The increase in time to 24 hours does not require more usage of methyl bromide if the fumigation enclosure is sealed well and the fumigation is conducted properly. The decrease in required concentrations over time within the fumigation enclosure in the revised treatment schedule makes allowance for additional adsorption of methyl bromide to the wood that occurs over the extended time period.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mr. Hesham Abuelnaga, Import Specialist at (301) 734-0627.