Interstate transportation of animals and animal products (quarantine): Scrapie in sheep and goats; movement restrictions and indemnity program,

[Federal Register: January 7, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 5)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 1074]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07ja00-11]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 1074]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 54 and 79

[Docket No. 97-093-3]

Scrapie in Sheep and Goats; Interstate Movement Restrictions and Indemnity Program

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reopening and extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: We are reopening and extending the comment period for our proposed rule to restrict the interstate movement of sheep and goats from States that do not follow effective flock management practices for scrapie, to require animal identification for sheep and goats moving interstate, and to reinstate a scrapie indemnity program to compensate owners of certain animals destroyed due to scrapie. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: We invite you to comment on Docket No. 97-093-2. We will consider all comments that we receive by January 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 97- 093-2, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 97-093-2.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Diane Sutton, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs Staff, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1235; (301) 734-4363.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On November 30, 1999, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 66791-66812, Docket No. 97-093-2) a proposal to amend the regulations in 9 CFR parts 54 and 79 to restrict the interstate movement of sheep and goats from States that do not follow effective flock management practices for scrapie. This proposed rule would also require animal identification for sheep and goats moving interstate and reinstate a scrapie indemnity program to compensate owners of certain animals destroyed due to scrapie.

Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or before December 30, 1999. Some commenters have indicated that it will be difficult for them to complete and submit comments during this period due to events of the holiday season. We are reopening and extending the comment period on Docket No. 97-093-2 for 15 days to January 14, 2000. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Internet Access

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

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111, 114, 114a, and 134a-134h; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).

Done in Washington, DC, this 29th day of December 1999. A.B. Cielo, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 00-303Filed1-6-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P