APHIS petitioned to deregulate LBAM

APHIS published its draft response to two petitions requesting the agency reclassify the light brown apple moth (LBAM) as a nonactionable pest. Based on a thorough evaluation of the petitions, including an independent review of the agency’s evaluation by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC), APHIS will continue to regulate LBAM as a quarantine pest.
Acting on the NRC’s recommendations, APHIS reviewed additional economic and scientific information and reevaluated its analysis on LBAM. Following this additional review and analysis, APHIS reached the same conclusion and will continue to regulate LBAM as a quarantine pest.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before May 14.