Interstate transportation of animals and animal products (quarantine): Tuberculosis in cattle and bison State and area classifications,
[Federal Register: August 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 156)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43290-43291]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au98-3]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 77
[Docket No. 98-081-1]
Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State Designation; Michigan
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.
SUMMARY: We are amending the tuberculosis regulations concerning the interstate movement of cattle and bison by reducing the designation of Michigan from an accredited-free State to an accredited-free (suspended) State. We have determined that Michigan no longer meets the criteria for designation as an accredited-free State but meets the criteria for designation as an accredited-free (suspended) State. This change is necessary to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle and bison.
DATES: Interim rule effective August 13, 1998. Consideration will be given only to comments received on or before October 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to Docket No. 98-081-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-081-1. Comments received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Joseph VanTiem, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-7716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Bovine tuberculosis is the contagious, infectious, and communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The tuberculosis regulations contained in 9 CFR part 77 (referred to below as the regulations), regulate the interstate movement of cattle and bison because of tuberculosis. Cattle and bison not known to be affected with or exposed to tuberculosis are eligible for interstate movement without restriction if those cattle or bison are moved from jurisdictions designated as accredited-free States, accredited-free (suspended) States, or modified accredited States. The regulations restrict the interstate movement of cattle or bison not known to be affected with or exposed to tuberculosis if those cattle or bison are moved from jurisdictions designated as nonmodified accredited States.
The status of a State is based on its freedom from evidence of tuberculosis, the effectiveness of the State's tuberculosis eradication program, and the degree of the State's compliance with the standards contained in a document captioned ``Uniform Methods and Rules--Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication'' (UMR), which is incorporated by reference into the regulations.
An accredited-free State, as defined in 77.1 of the regulations, is a State that has no findings of tuberculosis in any cattle or bison in the State for at least 5 years. The State must also comply with all the provisions of the UMR regarding accredited-free States.
An accredited-free (suspended) State is defined as a State with accredited-free status in which tuberculosis has been detected in any cattle or bison in the State. A State with accredited-free (suspended) status is qualified for redesignation as an accredited-free State after the herd in which tuberculosis is detected has been quarantined, an epidemiological investigation has confirmed that the disease has not spread from the herd, and all reactor cattle and bison have been destroyed. However, if tuberculosis is detected in two or more herds in the State within 48 months, the State's accredited-free status is revoked.
[[Page 43291]]
Before publication of this interim rule, Michigan was designated in Sec. 77.1 of the regulations as an accredited-free State. However, because tuberculosis has recently been confirmed in one beef herd within the State, the Administrator has determined that Michigan no longer meets the criteria for designation as an accredited-free State, but instead meets the criteria for designation as an accredited-free (suspended) State. Therefore, we are amending the regulations by removing Michigan from the list of accredited-free States in Sec. 77.1 and adding it to the list of accredited-free (suspended) States in that section.
Immediate Action
The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that there is good cause for publishing this interim rule without prior opportunity for public comment. Immediate action is necessary to change the regulations so that they accurately reflect the current tuberculosis status of Michigan as an accredited-free (suspended) State. This will provide prospective cattle and bison buyers with accurate and up-to-date information.
Because prior notice and other public procedures with respect to this action are impracticable and contrary to the public interest under these conditions, we find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 to make it effective upon publication in the Federal Register. We will consider comments that are received within 60 days of publication of this rule in the Federal Register. After the comment period closes, we will publish another document in the Federal Register. It will include a discussion of any comments we receive and any amendments we are making to the rule as a result of the comments.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. For this action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review process required by Executive Order 12866.
This action amends the tuberculosis regulations concerning the interstate movement of cattle and bison by reducing the designation of Michigan from an accredited-free State to an accredited-free (suspended) State. We are taking this action because tuberculosis has recently been confirmed in one beef herd in Michigan. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in cattle and bison.
This emergency situation makes compliance with section 603 and timely compliance with section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) impracticable. If we determine that this rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, then we will discuss the issues raised by section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act in our Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.
Executive Order 12372
This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and regulations that are in conflict with this rule; (2) has no retroactive effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 77
Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Tuberculosis.
Accordingly, 9 CFR part 77 is amended as follows:
PART 77--TUBERCULOSIS
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The authority citation for part 77 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111, 114, 114a, 115-117, 120, 121, 134b, 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).
Sec. 77.1 [Amended]
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In Sec. 77.1, in the definition for Accredited-free state, paragraph (2) is amended by removing the word ``Michigan,''.
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In Sec. 77.1, in the definition for Accredited-free (suspended) State, paragraph (2) is amended by removing the word ``None'' and adding the word ``Michigan'' in its place.
Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of August 1998. Joan M. Arnoldi, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21763Filed8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
