Department of Agriculture October 10, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the regulations to recognize Minnesota for split-State status for tuberculosis. The entire State of Minnesota has been classified as modified accredited; however, all its affected herds are located in portions of four counties in the northwest corner of the State. We have determined that Minnesota meets our requirements for zone classification. Therefore, we are removing Minnesota from the list of modified accredited States, adding an area in the northwest corner to the list of modified accredited zones, and adding the remainder of the State to the list of modified accredited advanced zones. This action relieves restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from areas of Minnesota other than the modified accredited zone in the northwest corner.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing this notice to initiate a public process to review its policies regarding the approval of animal raising claims in the labeling of meat and poultry products. FSIS evaluates animal raising claims by considering information on animal production practices submitted by companies as part of their label approval requests. The Agency approves these claims if the animal production information submitted with the label application supports the claims being made and the claim is truthful and not misleading. The Agency's recent experience with labeling claims related to the raising of poultry have led FSIS to initiate a review of its evaluation and approval process for labels of meat and poultry products that contain animal raising claims. The Agency is publishing this notice to solicit public input and to announce that FSIS and the Agricultural Marketing Service will jointly hold a public meeting to discuss these issues.

The Willamette National Forest is seeking nominees for six positions on the Opal Creek Advisory Council. The Council was originally established in June 2000 with 13 members. About half of the current members will remain on the Council to provide continuity for new members. The Advisory Council makes recommendations to the Detroit District Ranger on matters relating to the management of the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA). The Advisory Council is composed of a diverse group of citizens, which allows for sharing of technical knowledge and personal experience. Members represent interests including, but not limited to: Timber industry; environmental organizations; mining industry; SRA land in-holders within the Opal Creek Wilderness and SRA; economic development interests; and Indian tribes. Other members serving on the Council as required by the Act represent Marion County, communities within a 25 mile radius of the SRA, State of Oregon, and City of Salem. Positions to be filled are from timber industry, SRA in-holders, environmental organizations, mining industry and two at-large members. Examples of ``at-large'' members who may be interested in serving on this Council include recreation interests, adjacent landowner, educators and researchers. Nominees must be United States citizens, at least 18 years old. Willamette officials will recommend nominees' appointments to the Secretary of Agriculture based on criteria which includes long-time familiarity with the Opal Creek SRA, knowledge and understanding of other cultures, ability to actively participate in diverse team settings, and respect and credibility in local communities. Nominations are due November 12, 2008. People interested in more information or a nomination packet should contact the Detroit Ranger District at 503-854-3366. The nomination packet can also be downloaded from the Opal Creek Advisory Council section of the Willamette National Forest Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/manage/opalcreek/ advisorycouncil.html.

This final rule adjusts representation on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board), established under the Beef Promotion and Research Act (Act) of 1985, to reflect changes in cattle inventories and cattle and beef imports that have occurred since the most recent Board reapportionment rule became effective in February of 2005. These adjustments are required by the Beef Promotion and Research Order (Order) and will result in an increase in Board membership from 104 to 106, effective with the Department of Agriculture's (Department) appointments for terms beginning early in the year 2009.

The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board, acting in its capacity as the Black Hills National Forest Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC), will meet in Rapid City, SD. The purpose of the meeting is for the Committee to consider recommending special recreation permit fees to use the Black Hills National Forest's designated, motorized, off-highway vehicle trail system. Fees would include a $20.00 weekly permit, a $40.00 annual permit, and a $100.00 commercial vehicle annual permit. The fees would be established pursuant to Public Law 108-447 (H.R. 48 118), September 8, 2004, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Title Vill-Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Section 803 Recreation Fee Authority, (h) Special Recreation Permit Fee.

We are amending the regulations to establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions. Under the program, we will certify pork production sites that follow prescribed good production practices that reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of exposure of swine to zoonotic parasites of the genus Trichinella. Such a program should enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products to overseas markets. This program has been developed as a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Pork Board, and the pork processing industry. This program will include those producers who choose to participate in the program, as well as slaughter facilities and other persons that handle or process swine from pork production sites that have been certified under the program.