[Federal Register: August 25, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 165)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49933]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au08-1]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
[[Page 49933]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 78
[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0003]
Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Texas
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim
rule that amended the brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate
movement of cattle by changing the classification of Texas from Class A
to Class Free. We determined that Texas meets the standards for Class
Free status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the
interstate movement of cattle from Texas.
DATES: Effective on August 25, 2008, we are adopting as a final rule
the interim rule published at 73 FR 6007-6008 on February 1, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Debbi A. Donch, National
Brucellosis Epidemiologist, Ruminant Health Programs Staff, National
Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5952.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting animals and humans,
caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella.
The brucellosis regulations, contained in 9 CFR part 78 (referred
to below as the regulations), provide a system for classifying States
or portions of States according to the rate of Brucella infection
present and the general effectiveness of a brucellosis control and
eradication program. The classifications are Class Free, Class A, Class
B, and Class C. States or areas that do not meet the minimum standards
for Class C are required to be placed under Federal quarantine.
In an interim rule \1\ effective and published in the Federal
Register on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6007-6008, Docket No. APHIS-2008-
0003), we amended the regulations by changing the classification of the
State of Texas from Class A to Class Free. That action relieved certain
restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Texas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ To view the interim rule and the comment we received, go to
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2008-0003.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or
before April 1, 2008. We received one comment by that date, from an
industry organization. The commenter supported the action taken in the
interim rule to classify Texas as a Class Free State. Therefore, for
the reasons given in the interim rule and in this document, we are
adopting the interim rule as a final rule without change.
This action also affirms the information contained in the interim
rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has
waived its review under Executive Order 12866.
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 78
Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Hogs, Quarantine, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
PART 78--BRUCELLOSIS
0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the
interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 78 and that was published at 73 FR
6007-6008 on February 1, 2008.
Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of August 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19624 Filed 8-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P