The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has revised its domestic Karnal bunt regulations to improve their clarity and effectiveness.

The amendments include clarifying APHIS' method for determining Karnal bunt infestation and the circumstances under which an area would be regulated or deregulated.  The amendments also modify the restrictions surrounding the planting of wheat, durum wheat and triticale seed originating in regulated areas and modify the cleaning and disinfection requirements for certain equipment and storage facilities.

Karnal bunt is a fungal disease of wheat, durum wheat and triticale. These regulatory amendments are necessary to prevent the spread of Karnal bunt in the United States and to protect wheat exports to international markets.

Notice of this final rule is published in the Feb. 23 Federal Register and becomes effective March 24. 

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.