Words used in the singular form in the regulations in this part shall be deemed to impart the plural and vice versa, as the case may demand. For the purposes of this part, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall be construed, respectively, to mean:

Administrative instructions. Published documents relating to the enforcement of the regulations in this part, issued under authority of such regulations by the Deputy Administrator.

Administrator. The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department, or any officer or employee of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to whom authority has heretofore been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his/her stead.

Continental United States. The 49 States located on the continent of North America and the District of Columbia.

Customs. The Bureau of Customs, U.S. Treasury Department, or, with reference to Guam, the Customs office of the Government of Guam.

Department. The U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Deputy Administrator. The Deputy Administrator of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department, or any officer or employee of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs to whom authority has heretofore been delegated or may hereafter be delegated to act in his stead.

Earth. The softer matter composing part of the surface of the globe, in distinction from the firm rock, and including the soil and subsoil, as well as finely divided rock and other soil formation materials down to the rock layer.

Garbage. That material designated as “garbage” in § 330.400(b).

Inspector. A properly identified employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or other person authorized by the Department to enforce the provisions of the Plant Protection Act and related legislation, quarantines, and regulations.

Interstate. From one State, Territory or possession or the District of Columbia into or through any other State, Territory or possession, or the District of Columbia. This term includes movements, within its provisions, to a port in the United States for export.

Means of conveyance. Automobiles, trucks, animal-drawn vehicles, railway cars, aircraft, boats, and other means of transportation.

Move (moved and movement). “Move” means ship, deposit for transmission in the mail, otherwise offer for shipment, offer for entry, import, receive for transportation, carry, or otherwise transport or move, or allow to be moved, by mail or otherwise. “Moved” and “movement” shall be construed accordingly.

Owner. The owner, or his agent (including a carrier), having responsible custody of a plant pest, means of conveyance, product or article subject to the regulations in this part.

Permit. An authorization allowing the movement into or through the United States, or interstate, of a plant pest, or a regulated product, article, or means of conveyance in accordance with the provisions in this part.

Person. Any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.

Plant pest. (1) Except for §§ 330.200 through 330.212, “plant pest” means any living stage of any insects, mites, nematodes, slugs, snails, protozoa, or other invertebrate animals, bacteria, fungi, other parasitic plants or reproductive parts thereof, viruses, or any organisms similar to or allied with any of the foregoing, or any infectious substances which can directly or indirectly injure or cause disease or damage in any plants or parts thereof, or any processed, manufactured, or other products of plants.

For purposes of §§ 330.200 through 330.212, plant pest means any living stage of insects, mites, nematodes, slugs, snails, protozoa, or other invertebrate animals, bacteria, fungi, other parasitic plants or reproductive parts thereof, viruses, or any organisms similar to or allied with any of the foregoing, or any infectious substances of the aforementioned which are not genetically engineered as defined in 7 CFR 340.1 which can directly or indirectly injure or cause disease or damage in any plants or parts thereof, or any processed, manufactured, or other products of plants.

Plant Protection Act. Title IV of Public Law 106-224, 114 Stat. 438, 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772, which was enacted June 20, 2000.

Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs. The Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs, Animal and Plant Inspection Health Service of the Department.

Regulated garbage. That material designated as “regulated garbage” in § 330.400(c) and § 330.400(d).

Shelf-stable. The condition achieved in a product, by application of heat, alone or in combination with other ingredients and/or other treatments, of being rendered free of microorganisms capable of growing in the product at nonrefrigerated conditions (over 50 °F. or 10 °C.).

Soil. The loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow, in most cases consisting of disintegrated rock with an admixture of organic material and soluble salts.

State. Any of the several States of the United States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, or any other territory or possession of the United States.

Territories or possessions. Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

Through the United States. From and to places outside the United States.

United States. All of the States.