DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION

Number:

1043-008

SUBJECT:

Renewal of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan

DATE:

October 2, 2008

OPI:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

1. PURPOSE

a. This regulation renews the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The purpose of this Committee is to maintain and ensure industry involvement and advice in Federal administration in matters pertaining to poultry health and to the administration of the NPIP.

b. The renewal of this Committee is in the public interest in connection with the duties and responsibilities of the Department to deal with matters of poultry health. The Committee, representing cooperating State agencies and poultry industry members, provides an essential function by acting as liaison between the poultry industry and the Department.

2. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/CANCELLATIONS

a. The purpose of the Committee could not be accomplished in less than 2 years. This regulation will terminate 2 years from the date of filing.

b. Departmental Regulation No. 1043-8, dated September 26, 2006, is hereby superseded.

3. OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP

a. The Committee Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the Committee from among its members. A representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will serve as Executive Secretary and will provide the necessary staff support for the Committee.

One member from each of six geographic areas of the United States and a member-at-large will be designated by an elective process prescribed in the provisions of the Plan (presently contained in 9 CFR 147.43(b)).

b. Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be followed in the nomination and subsequent election of persons to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership should include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

4. DUTIES

The duties of the Committee involve assisting the Department in planning, organizing, and conducting the NPIP Conference.

During the interim between Plan Conferences, the Committee will represent the cooperating States in (a) advising the Department on administrative procedures and interpretations of the Plan provisions as contained in 9 CFR; (b) assisting the Department in evaluating comments received from interested persons concerning proposed amendments to the Plan provisions; (c) recommending to the Secretary any changes in the provisions of the Plan when postponement until the next Plan Conference would seriously impair the operation of the program; and (d) serving as a forum for the study of problems relating to poultry health.

5. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATION COSTS

a. The annual costs are estimated at $11,300 and .07 staff years.

b. Since the Committee meets at the time and place of the biennial National Plan Conference during even-numbered years, the expenses during those years are usually considerably higher than during the odd-numbered years when the meetings are generally held in Atlanta, GA. The estimated cost in 2008 is $25,000.

6. NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

Meetings will be held annually or as the Secretary of Agriculture deems necessary.

7. REPORTS/SUPPORT

The Committee will report to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs. A representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will provide the necessary staff support for the Committee.

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