The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it is seeking public comments on a draft document outlining the risks associated with importing soybean products from countries affected by soybean rust, an air-borne, fungal pathogen not found in the continental United States.

The document, entitled "Status of Scientific Evidence on Risks Associated with the Introduction into the Continental United States of Phakopsora pachyrhizi with Imported Soybean Grain, Seed and Meal," informs researchers and decisionmakers about the biology of the disease; the probability of introduction via grain, seed or meal; the consequences of introduction; and the uncertainty associated with current information.

In addition to general comments, APHIS officials are seeking responses to the following questions:

1. What conditions at harvest and during cleaning, drying, storage or transport would change the risk of introducing Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Asian soybean rust, with imported soybean, grain, seed and meal?

2. Is there additional specific information on industry and agricultural practices that would affect the risk of introducing the soybean rust pathogen with imported soybean grain, seed and meal?

3. Are most soybeans grown in areas infested with soybean rust sprayed with fungicides? How effective is this control?

4. What other practical treatments could be used to address the risk of introducing the soybean rust pathogen in imported soybean grain, seed and meal?

5. Is there any other information APHIS should consider in determining the risk of introducing soybean rust with imported soybean grain, seed and meal?

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before April 12. Comments may be submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery, e-mail or via Internet. If postal mail or commercial delivery is used, send an original and three copies to Docket No. 04-019-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If e-mail is used, address comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Comments must be contained in the body the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the body of the message and use "Docket No. 04-019-1", on the subject line. To submit comments online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for locating this docket and submitting comments.

Comments may also be reviewed at USDA, South Building, Room 1141, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to view the documents are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room.

This notice is scheduled for publication in the March 12 Federal Register. 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.