1. (a) Certificates. An inspector ¹ or person operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of a regulated article if the inspector determines that the regulated article satisfies the general requirements for a certificate in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and any requirements that may apply to the regulated article under paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(7) of this section.

   1. (1) Certification requirements for all regulated articles. The regulated article must be moved in compliance with any additional emergency conditions the Administrator may impose under section 414 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714) ² to prevent the spread of the pale cyst nematode. In addition, the regulated article must be eligible for unrestricted movement under all other Federal domestic plant quarantines and regulations applicable to the regulated article.
   2. (2) Certification requirements for nursery stock—(i) Potatoes. Potatoes intended for use as nursery stock (i.e., seed potatoes) are prohibited from being moved interstate from the quarantined area.

   3. (ii) Nursery stock of other host crops. An inspector may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of nursery stock of pale cyst nematode host crops other than potatoes, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), if the nursery stock was grown in a field that meets the following requirements:

      1. (A) The field has been surveyed by an inspector for pale cyst nematode at least once in the last 3 years;
      2. (B) The pale cyst nematode has not been found in the field; and
      3. (C) No more than one pale cyst nematode host crop, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), has been grown in the last 3 years.

   4. (iii) Nursery stock of non-host crops—(A) With soil. An inspector may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of nursery stock of non-host crops moved with soil if the nursery stock was grown in a field that meets the following requirements:

      (1) The field has been surveyed by an inspector for pale cyst nematode at least once in the last 3 years;

      (2) The pale cyst nematode has not been found in the field; and

      (3) No more than one pale cyst nematode host crop, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), has been grown in the field in the last 3 years.

   5. (B) Without soil (bare-rooted). An inspector may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of nursery stock of non-host crops moved without soil if the inspector finds the nursery stock to be free of soil on its roots and on all other parts of the plant.

   6. (3) Certification requirements for potatoes for consumption, root crops for consumption, garden or dry beans, and peas. An inspector may issue a certificate for the movement of potatoes intended for consumption, root crops intended for consumption, garden or dry beans, or peas from the quarantined area only if the field in which the potatoes, root crops, garden or dry beans, or peas were grown meets the following requirements:

      1. (i) The field has been surveyed by an inspector for pale cyst nematode at least once in the last 3 years and prior to the planting of the potatoes or root crops;
      2. (ii) Pale cyst nematode has not been found in the field; and
      3. (iii) No more than one pale cyst nematode host crop, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), has been grown in the field in the last 3 years.

   7. (4) Certification requirements for soil and associated products. An inspector may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of a regulated article listed in § 301.86-2(e) only if the article originated in a field that meets the following requirements:

      1. (i) The field has been surveyed by an inspector for pale cyst nematode at least once in the last 3 years;
      2. (ii) The pale cyst nematode has not been found in the field; and
      3. (iii) No more than one pale cyst nematode host crop, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), has been grown in the last 3 years.

   8. (5) Certification requirements for hay, straw, and fodder. An inspector may issue a certificate for the movement of hay, straw, or fodder from the quarantined area only if:

      1. (i) The field where the hay, straw, or fodder was produced meets the following requirements:

         1. (A) The field has been surveyed by an inspector for pale cyst nematode at least once in the last 3 years;
         2. (B) The pale cyst nematode has not been found in the field; and
         3. (C) No more than one pale cyst nematode host crop, as listed in § 301.86-2(b), has been grown in the field in the last 3 years; or
      2. (ii) The hay, straw, or fodder is produced according to procedures judged by an inspector to be sufficient to isolate it from soil throughout its production.
   9. (6) Certification requirements for equipment used in infested or associated fields. An inspector may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of equipment that has been used in an infested or associated field and that can carry soil if moved out of the field only after the equipment has been pressure-washed under the supervision of an inspector to remove all soil or steam-treated in accordance with part 305 of this chapter.

2. (b) Limited permits—(1) General conditions. An inspector ³ may issue a limited permit for the interstate movement of a regulated article if the inspector determines that:

   1. (i) The regulated article is to be moved interstate to a specified destination for specified handling, processing, or utilization (the destination and other conditions to be listed in the limited permit), and this interstate movement will not result in the spread of the pale cyst nematode because life stages of the pale cyst nematode will be destroyed by the specified handling, processing, or utilization;
   2. (ii) The regulated article is to be moved in compliance with any additional emergency conditions the Administrator may impose under section 414 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714) to prevent the spread of the pale cyst nematode; and
   3. (iii) The regulated article is eligible for interstate movement under all other Federal domestic plant quarantines and regulations applicable to the regulated article.

   4. (2) Specific conditions for potatoes for consumption. An inspector may issue a limited permit to allow the interstate movement of potatoes from the quarantined area for processing or packing only if:

      1. (i) The potatoes are transported in a manner that prevents the potatoes and soil attached to the potatoes from coming into contact with agricultural premises outside the quarantined area; and
      2. (ii) The potatoes are processed or packed at facilities that handle potatoes, waste, and waste water in a manner approved by APHIS to prevent the spread of pale cyst nematode.
3. (c) Certificates and limited permits for the interstate movement of regulated articles may be issued by an inspector or person operating under a compliance agreement. A person operating under a compliance agreement may issue a certificate for the interstate movement of a regulated article after an inspector has determined that the regulated article is eligible for a certificate in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section. A person operating under a compliance agreement may issue a limited permit for interstate movement of a regulated article after an inspector has determined that the regulated article is eligible for a limited permit in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.

4. (d) Any certificate or limited permit that has been issued may be withdrawn, either orally or in writing, by an inspector if he or she determines that the holder of the certificate or limited permit has not complied with all provisions in this subpart for the use of the certificate or limited permit or has not complied with all the conditions contained in the certificate or limited permit. If the withdrawal is oral, the withdrawal and the reasons for the withdrawal will be confirmed in writing as promptly as circumstances allow. Any person whose certificate or limited permit has been withdrawn may appeal the decision in writing to the Administrator within 10 days after receiving the written notification of the withdrawal. The appeal must state all of the facts and reasons upon which the person relies to show that the certificate or limited permit was wrongfully withdrawn. As promptly as circumstances allow, the Administrator will grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the decision. A hearing will be held to resolve any conflict as to any material fact. Rules of practice concerning a hearing will be adopted by the Administrator.

   (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0579-0322)

¹ Inspectors are assigned to local offices of APHIS, which are listed in local telephone directories. Information concerning such local offices may also be obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Domestic and Emergency Operations, 4700 River Road Unit 134, Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1236.

² Section 414 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7714) provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may, under certain conditions, hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to destroy or otherwise dispose of any plant, plant pest, plant product, article, or means of conveyance that is moving, or has moved into or through the United States or interstate if the Secretary has reason to believe the article is a plant pest or is infested with a plant pest at the time of movement.

³ See footnote 1 of this section.

[72 FR 51984, Sept. 12, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 19381, Apr. 29, 2009; 87 FR 80015, Dec. 29, 2022]