U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

       WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION

 

NUMBER:

DR 1043-031

 

SUBJECT:

Reestablishment of Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases

 

DATE: August 7, 2007

 

 

OPI:     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 

 

 

1.         PURPOSE

 

a.          This regulation reestablishes the Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases (Committee).  The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on means to prevent, suppress, control, or eradicate an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or other destructive foreign animal or poultry diseases in the event such diseases should enter the United States.

 

            b.         The reestablishment of this Committee is in the public interest and provides an essential function concerning duties and responsibilities imposed on the

                        U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

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            b.         Departmental Regulation No. 1043-31 dated May 10, 2005, is hereby superseded.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 (APHIS) will serve as Executive Secretary and will provide the necessary staff support for the Committee.  Members of the Committee will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.

 

b.         Equal opportunity practices in line with USDA policies, will be followed in all appointments to the Committee.  Membership will be composed of persons representing a broad spectrum of farmers, scientists, trade association representatives, the university community, and other related interests.  To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, 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 advising and counseling USDA on:  (a) plans and recommendations for regulatory actions in the event of a foreign animal or poultry disease outbreak; (b) problems associated with control and/or eradication measures to cope with an outbreak of a foreign animal or poultry disease; (c) changing practices in the production and marketing of livestock, poultry, and recent developments in research and regulatory veterinary medicine; (d) developing effective measures for informing livestock and poultry producers concerning the handling and treatment of unusual or suspicious animal or poultry disease problems; and (e) regulations pertaining to imports of animals, poultry, and their products.

 

5.         ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS

 

            The annual costs are estimated at $20,913 and .13 staff years.

 

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 APHIS will provide the necessary staff support for the Committee.

 

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