7 CFR §319.7-3

1. (a)APHIS may deny an application for a permit to import a regulated article into the United States. A denial, including the reason for the denial, will be provided in writing, including by electronic methods, to the applicant as promptly as circumstances permit. The denial of a permit may be appealed in accordance with § 319.7-5.
2. (b)APHIS may deny an application for a permit to import a regulated article:
   1. (1)If APHIS determines that the applicant is not likely to abide by permit conditions. Factors that may lead to such a determination include, but are not limited to, the following:
      1. (i)The applicant, or a partnership, firm, corporation, or other legal entity in which the applicant has a substantial interest, financial or otherwise, has not complied with any permit that was previously issued by APHIS;
      2. (ii)APHIS determines that issuing the permit would circumvent any order revoking or denying a permit under the Plant Protection Act;
      3. (iii)APHIS determines that the applicant has previously failed to comply with any APHIS regulation;
      4. (iv)APHIS determines that the applicant has previously failed to comply with any Federal, State, or local law, regulation, or instruction concerning the importation of prohibited or restricted foreign agricultural products;
      5. (v)APHIS determines that the applicant has failed to comply with the laws or regulations of a national plant protection organization or equivalent body, as these pertain to plant health;
      6. (vi)APHIS determines that the applicant has made false or fraudulent statements or provided false or fraudulent records to APHIS; or
      7. (vii)The applicant has been convicted or has pled nolo contendere to any crime involving fraud, bribery, extortion, or any other crime involving a lack of integrity.
   2. (2)If the application for a permit contains information that is found to be materially false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misrepresentative;
   3. (3)If APHIS concludes that the actions proposed under the permit would present an unacceptable risk to plants and plant products because of the potential for introduction or dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the United States;
   4. (4)If the importation is adverse to the conduct of an eradication, suppression, control, or phytosanitary program of APHIS or a program recognized by APHIS;
   5. (5)If the importation is not in compliance with any applicable import regulations or any administrative instructions or measures, including, but not limited to, all the requirements of this part; or
   6. (6)If a State executive official, or a State plant protection official authorized to do so, objects to the movement in writing and provides specific, detailed information that there is a risk the movement will result in the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed into the State, and APHIS determines that such plant pest risk cannot be adequately addressed or mitigated.