Eligibility of Namibia To Export Meat Products to the United States, 45225-45229 [2016-16546]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45225-45229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16546]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 45225]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 327

[Docket No. FSIS-2012-0028]
RIN 0583-AD51


Eligibility of Namibia To Export Meat Products to the United 
States

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending the 
Federal meat inspection regulations to add Namibia to the list of 
countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United 
States. FSIS has reviewed Namibia's laws, regulations, and inspection 
system as implemented, and has determined that they are equivalent to 
the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the regulations implementing 
this statute, and the United States food safety system for meat and 
meat products.
    Under this final rule, Namibia will only be able to export to the 
United States boneless (not ground) raw beef products, such as primal 
cuts, chuck, blade, and beef trimmings, processed in certified Namibian 
establishments, because FSIS only assessed Namibia's meat inspection 
system with respect to these products. Namibia would need to submit 
additional information for FSIS to review before FSIS would allow 
Namibia to export other beef product or product from other types of 
livestock to the United States. All products that Namibia exports to 
the United States will be subject to reinspection at United States 
ports-of-entry by FSIS inspectors.

DATES: Effective Date: September 12, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel L. Engeljohn, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Telephone: 
(202) 205-0495.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 18, 2015, FSIS published a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register (80 FR 56401) to add Namibia to the list of countries 
eligible to export meat products to the United States (9 CFR 327.2(b)). 
This final rule is consistent with the proposed rule.
    As is explained in the proposed rule, under the FMIA and 
implementing regulations, meat and meat products imported into the 
United States must be produced under standards for safety, 
wholesomeness, and labeling that are equivalent to those of the United 
States (21 U.S.C. 620). The FMIA also requires that the livestock from 
which such imports are produced be slaughtered and handled in 
connection with slaughter in a manner that is consistent with the 
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. 1901-1906).
    Section 327.2 of Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
sets out the procedures by which foreign countries may become eligible 
to export meat and meat products to the United States. Paragraph 
327.2(a) requires that a foreign country's meat inspection system 
provide standards equivalent to those of the United States and to 
provide legal authority for the inspection system and its implementing 
regulations that is equivalent to that of the United States. 
Specifically, a country's laws and regulations must impose requirements 
equivalent to those of the United States with respect to: (1) Ante-
mortem inspection, humane methods of slaughter and handling, and post-
mortem inspection by, or under the direct supervision of, a 
veterinarian; (2) official controls by the national government over 
establishment construction, facilities, and equipment; (3) direct and 
continuous official supervision of slaughtering and preparation of 
product by inspectors to ensure that product is not adulterated or 
misbranded; (4) complete separation of establishments certified to 
export from those not certified; (5) maintenance of a single standard 
of inspection and sanitation throughout certified establishments; (6) 
requirements for sanitation and for sanitary handling of product at 
establishments certified to export; (7) official controls over 
condemned product; (8) a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) system; and (9) any other requirements found in the FMIA and 
its implementing regulations (9 CFR 327.2(a)(2)(ii)).
    The country's inspection system must also impose requirements 
equivalent to those of the United States with respect to: (1) 
Organizational structure and staffing to ensure uniform enforcement of 
the requisite laws and regulations in all certified establishments; (2) 
national government control and supervision over the official 
activities of employees or licensees; (3) qualified inspectors; (4) 
enforcement and certification authority; (5) administrative and 
technical support; (6) inspection, sanitation, quality, species 
verification and residue standards; and (7) any other inspection 
requirements (9 CFR 327.2(a)(2)(i)).

Evaluation of the Namibian Meat Inspection System

    As explained in the proposed rule, in 2002 and again in 2005, the 
government of Namibia requested approval to export meat (beef) products 
to the United States. Namibia stated that, if approved, its immediate 
intent was to export boneless (not ground) raw beef products such as 
primal cuts, chuck, blade, and beef trimmings to the United States.
    In 2006, FSIS conducted a document review to evaluate the laws, 
regulations, and other documentation used by Namibia to execute its 
meat inspection program. FSIS examined the information submitted by 
Namibia to verify that the following equivalence components were 
addressed satisfactorily with respect to standards, activities, 
resources, and enforcement: (1) Government Oversight; (2) Statutory 
Authority and Food Safety Regulations; (3) Sanitation; (4) Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point Systems; (5) Chemical Residue 
Testing Programs; and (6) Microbiological Testing Programs. The 
document review was satisfactory to FSIS, and FSIS scheduled an on-site 
review to evaluate all aspects of Namibia's meat inspection program.
    In 2006, FSIS conducted an on-site audit of Namibia's meat 
inspection system and identified systemic deficiencies within the six 
equivalence components. In response to this audit, Namibia submitted a 
corrective action plan that addressed FSIS's findings. In

[[Page 45226]]

2009, FSIS conducted a follow-up on-site audit to verify that all 
outstanding issues identified during the previous audit had been 
resolved and that Namibia had satisfactorily implemented all the laws, 
regulations, and instructions to the field that FSIS found to be 
equivalent during the document review and previous audit. Nonetheless, 
the new audit identified new systemic deficiencies within the 
equivalence components of government oversight, sanitation, HACCP, 
chemical residue, and microbiological testing programs.
    Following the 2009 on-site audit, Namibia again provided a 
comprehensive corrective action plan that addressed the findings 
identified. In 2013, FSIS proceeded with a follow-up on-site audit of 
Namibia's meat inspection system and verified that Namibia had 
satisfactorily implemented the corrective actions taken in response to 
the 2009 on-site audit. The 2013 audit identified new findings within 
the equivalence components of government oversight, statutory authority 
and food safety regulations, sanitation, and chemical residue testing 
programs.
    In response to the 2013 audit findings, Namibia implemented 
immediate corrective actions and submitted another corrective action 
plan that addressed the findings identified during the audit of its 
food safety system. FSIS conducted another on-site audit in 2014 to 
verify that Namibia had effectively implemented those corrective 
actions.
    FSIS concluded, on the basis of the 2014 audit, that Namibia had 
fully implemented the corrective action plan that it submitted in 
response to the 2013 audit. FSIS did not find any significant problems 
during the 2014 on-site audit. Furthermore, through the audit, FSIS 
found that Namibia had implemented a sampling and testing program for 
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that is equivalent to 
FSIS's program. Industry in Namibia is required to control for or 
address STEC so that it is at a non-detectable level, and government 
testing in Namibia verifies that industry has the necessary controls in 
place.
    For more detailed information on FSIS's evaluation of the Namibian 
meat inspection system, see the proposed rule (80 FR 56401) and for the 
full audit reports, go to: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/importing-products/eligible-countries-products-foreign-establishments/foreign-audit-reports.

Final Rule

    After considering the comments received on the proposed rule, 
discussed below, FSIS concludes that Namibia's meat inspection system 
is equivalent to the United States' inspection system for meat and meat 
products. Therefore, FSIS is amending its meat inspection regulations 
to add Namibia to the list of countries eligible to export meat and 
meat products to the United States (9 CFR 327.2(b)). Under FSIS's 
import regulations, the government of Namibia must certify to FSIS that 
those establishments that wish to export meat and meat products to the 
United States are operating under requirements equivalent to those of 
the United States (9 CFR 327.2(a)).
    FSIS will verify that the establishments certified by Namibia's 
government meet the United States requirements through periodic and 
regularly scheduled audits of Namibia's meat inspection system. In the 
future, if Namibia wants to export other beef products (e.g., ground 
beef) or other meat products to this country (e.g., pork products), it 
will need to notify FSIS and submit information about its requirements 
and inspection program for these products. FSIS would then review the 
information and determine whether the Agency needs to audit the 
operations in Namibia producing these products to determine whether the 
requirements and inspection program for these products is equivalent to 
those in the United States. Namibia would not be allowed to export 
additional products to the United States until FSIS determines that the 
country's requirements and inspection program for the products are 
equivalent to FSIS's system.
    Although a foreign country may be listed in FSIS's regulations as 
eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States, the 
exporting country's products must also comply with all other applicable 
requirements of the United States, including those of the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). These requirements include 
restrictions under 9 CFR part 94 of the APHIS regulations, which 
regulate the importation of meat and meat products from countries into 
the United States to control the spread of specific animal diseases. 
According to 9 CFR 94.1, APHIS listed Namibia as a country free of 
rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease (excluding the region north of 
the Veterinary Cordon Fence).
    Also, under this final rule, all meat and meat products exported to 
the United States from Namibia will be subject to reinspection by FSIS 
at United States ports of entry for, but not limited to, transportation 
damage, product and container defects, labeling, proper certification, 
general condition, and accurate count.
    FSIS will conduct other types of reinspection activities, such as 
incubation of canned products to ensure product safety and taking 
product samples for laboratory analysis to detect any drug or chemical 
residues or pathogens that may render the product unsafe or any species 
or product composition violations that would render the product 
economically adulterated. Products that pass reinspection will be 
stamped with the official mark of inspection and allowed to enter 
United States commerce. If they do not meet this country's 
requirements, they will be refused entry and within 45 days will have 
to be returned to the country of origin, destroyed, or converted to 
animal food (subject to approval of the Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA)), depending on the violation. The import reinspection activities 
can be found on the FSIS Web site at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/importing-products/port-of-entry-procedures.
    In addition, Namibian meat and meat products will be eligible for 
importation into the United States only if they are from animals 
slaughtered on or after the effective date of this final rule.

Summary of Comments and Responses

    FSIS received 92 comments on the proposed rule. Eighty-one of the 
comments were received from individuals; 10 of the comments were 
received from trade associations representing American cattlemen and 
the beef industry, pork producers, milk producers, and farmers; and one 
comment was from a consumer advocacy group. Of the 92 comments, 87 were 
against the proposed rule, including those from all of the trade 
associations. Four individuals and one advocate on the behalf of the 
Namibian Meat Board were in support of the proposed rule.
    The following is a discussion of the relevant issues raised in the 
comments.
    Comments: Almost all of the comments expressed concern about the 
recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the areas north of 
the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF), a fence separating Northern Namibia 
and neighboring countries from the central and southern parts of 
Namibia that is designed to contain FMD outbreaks north of the fence. 
The majority of the individuals and various trade associations stated 
that the prevalence of FMD in the region presents a threat to the 
security of U.S. cattle and food safety. The commenters stated that 
Namibia cannot guarantee that FMD-infected animals will stay out of the

[[Page 45227]]

region in Namibia south of the VCF. Several trade associations also 
expressed concern about deficiencies found in a 2013 European 
Commission audit of Namibia's animal health control system.\1\ One 
trade association concluded that these deficiencies would result in 
commingling of contaminated cattle with cattle from the FMD-free zone 
south of the VCF. A few commenters were also concerned that the 
proposed rule did not address what steps FSIS would take to ensure that 
such commingling does not occur.
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    \1\ Final Report of an audit, carried out in Namibia, from 19 
February to 01 March 2013, in order to evaluate the animal health 
control system in place, in particular relation to controls on foot-
and-mouth disease. The audit found insufficient implementation and 
documentation of actions following the incursion of FMD positive 
buffalo in the disease-free zone. An Audit conducted by the European 
Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate--General, September 7, 
2013.
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    Several trade associations also expressed concern in their comments 
about the future of the VCF. Commenters cited recent statements made by 
the Namibian Agricultural Minister who, according to the commenters, 
has expressed a desire to have the fence removed. Additional commenters 
pointed to the lack of structural integrity of the VCF. Those 
commenters stated that the VCF is frequently breached by the country's 
elephant and buffalo population, which raises the possibility of other 
wildlife traveling through carrying FMD.
    Furthermore, one trade association expressed concern over a 30-
kilometer section of the VCF dismantled by the authorities. The trade 
association argued that this places southern Namibia at risk of 
becoming re-infected with FMD, because it allows buffaloes and 
elephants to re-enter the FMD-free zone. Additionally, some commenters 
expressed concern about the lack of a recent APHIS audit, and requested 
that FSIS delay any further action on the proposed rule until APHIS 
conducts an audit and publishes a formal risk assessment.
    Response: Although Namibia may be listed in FSIS's regulations as 
eligible to export poultry products to the United States, the products 
must also comply with all other applicable requirements of the United 
States, including those of USDA's APHIS, before any products can enter 
the United States.
    APHIS is responsible for preventing the entry of foreign animal 
diseases into the livestock population of the United States. APHIS 
determines the animal health status of foreign countries or regions for 
certain diseases, and this process is outlined in Title 9 CFR part 92. 
These animal health status determinations help establish the import 
requirements for livestock and products derived from them.
    In 2006, APHIS recognized the region of Namibia south of the VCF as 
free of FMD and rinderpest (71 FR 62198). This regulation relieved 
certain restrictions due to FMD and rinderpest on the importation into 
the United States of certain live animals and animal products from all 
regions of Namibia except the region north of the VCF. APHIS is 
developing a prioritization process for conducting reviews of countries 
or regions that have received animal health status recognition, such as 
the FMD freedom recognition granted to a region of Namibia. FSIS has 
provided the concerns identified in the comments on the proposed rule 
to APHIS, and APHIS will consider these as they finalize and implement 
their prioritization process. Therefore, at this time, APHIS rules 
allow beef from the region of Namibia south of the VCF to be exported 
to the United States.
    FSIS and APHIS work closely together to ensure that all meat and 
meat products imported into the United States comply with the 
regulatory requirements of both agencies. In 1985, FSIS and APHIS 
signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in which both agencies 
agreed to cooperate in meeting their respective needs relative to 
information exchange of disease surveillance, diagnostic testing, 
investigations, trace backs, and animal and public health emergencies 
to achieve their related objectives of reducing the spread of animal 
diseases, and of providing a wholesome and economical food supply. The 
MOU is updated periodically to ensure that it addresses matters of 
importance to both agencies. The MOU was last updated November 20, 
2014. In accord with this MOU, FSIS and APHIS established procedures 
for communication between the two agencies regarding the inspection, 
handling, and disposition of imported meat products. APHIS and FSIS 
communicate regularly to ensure that products APHIS has restricted from 
entering the United States because of animal disease concerns are not 
imported into the United States.
    Comments: A majority of the trade associations and the consumer 
advocacy group comments expressed concern about the deficiencies found 
in the 2006, 2009, and 2013 FSIS audits, particularly with respect to 
problems FSIS found in the Namibian food-safety system, the lack of 
collaboration FSIS found between the Namibian ministries, and staffing 
problems FSIS identified in the ministries.
    Response: FSIS assesses a country's food regulatory system in terms 
of six equivalence components and uses its findings from the assessment 
in deciding whether or not to grant eligibility to the country for the 
importation of its meat or meat food products into the United States. 
On the basis of the 2014 follow-up on-site audit, FSIS determined that 
Namibia fully met the criteria within those six equivalence components, 
in accordance with 9 CFR 327.2. Specifically, FSIS found that Namibia 
had a system in place to verify and enforce HACCP requirements. FSIS 
also found that Namibia had an effective strategy for implementing 
sample collection for chemical residue monitoring. Regarding staffing 
problems found during the 2009 on-site audit within the government 
oversight component, Namibia implemented corrective action plans for 
relief inspection personnel. FSIS concluded that Namibia had 
satisfactorily addressed the findings in this component. FSIS found 
Namibia to have remedied all deficiencies regarding the components that 
the Agency had uncovered in past audits, and determined that, as 
implemented, Namibia's inspection system (slaughter and processing) for 
beef is equivalent to the United States' meat inspection system. The 
details of Namibia's compliance with those components can all be found 
on the FSIS Web site at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/importing-products/eligible-countries-products-foreign-establishments/foreign-audit-reports.
    Additionally, regarding deficiencies noted during past FSIS audits 
of the Namibian food-safety system, the history, background and 
verification of corrective actions are documented in the 2009, 2013, 
and 2014 final audit reports.
    Namibia has established its equivalence and when this final rule is 
effective, Namibia will be eligible to export certain beef products to 
the United States. FSIS ensures that countries maintain equivalence 
through a three-part process, involving: (1) Recurring equivalence 
reviews (e.g., through use of the country Self Reporting Tool or other 
documentation from the Central Competent Authority) of the exporting 
country's applicable laws and regulations; (2) periodic on-site 
equivalence verification audits in the exporting country; and (3) 
ongoing point-of-entry (POE) re-inspection of shipments received from 
the exporting country. These POE activities include examination of 
products for defects,

[[Page 45228]]

container examinations, and laboratory analysis of product samples.
    For all these reasons, therefore, concerns about deficiencies found 
in past FSIS audits are unwarranted. The deficiencies have been 
remedied and the Namibian inspection system will be subject to ongoing 
verification to ensure that it continues to maintain standards 
equivalent to those of the United States.
    Comments: Some comments from individuals and trade associations 
expressed concern over the economic effect that the rule would have on 
American ranchers. These commenters stated that the importation of 
Namibian beef would lower the price of beef overall and cause a decline 
in sales and job loss for the American beef industry. Two individuals 
supported the proposed rule and agreed with FSIS's economic analysis.
    Response: FSIS estimates that the expected amount of imported 
Namibian beef is only 0.008 \2\ to 0.05 percent of the United States 
beef production; therefore, there will be no significant impact on 
sales and the United States economy.
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    \2\ In the proposed rule, FSIS used 2012-2014 U.S. beef 
production data to estimate the expected amount of imported Namibian 
beef would be .007 to .05 percent of the United States beef 
production. In the final rule, FSIS used U.S. beef production data 
from 2012-2015 to update the estimated expected amount of imported 
Namibian beef to be .008 to .05 percent of the United States beef 
production.
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    Comment: The one trade association that disputed FSIS's economic 
analysis specifically stated that applying multipliers from a paper by 
VanSickle,\3\ Namibia's beef import of 1.9 million pound in the first 
year (after the rule is finalized) and 12.5 million pounds in the 5th 
year will likely result in a negative impact on the United States 
economy of $14.9 million and $96 million, respectively; and the United 
States will suffer 127 job losses in the first year and 837.5 job 
losses in the 5th year.
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    \3\ The VanSickle paper is a comment paper submitted to APHIS in 
2004 by John VanSickle on the economic analysis in the APHIS 
proposed rule for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy: Minimal Risk 
Regions and Importation of Commodities. The commenter attached a 
copy of the paper.
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    Response: The multipliers the commenter used, i.e. $3.87 impact on 
total United States economic output per $1 decline in sales for the 
cattle ranching and farming sector and 67 United States job losses per 
1 million pounds of additional beef imports, are from a paper that has 
not been peer-reviewed. The multipliers in the VanSickle paper were 
results from an input-output model (I-O model) named IMPLAN. However, 
the paper did not describe the model or the input data, nor specify the 
assumptions of the model. Therefore, there is no way to validate the 
model's accuracy in depicting the linkage from beef imports to total 
economic output and job loss. As a consequence, the credibility of the 
multipliers lacks support. All economic projection models and 
estimations are based on assumptions. To properly interpret a model's 
projections, it is important to understand and evaluate the accuracy of 
its assumptions every step of the way. Neither the VanSickle paper nor 
the commenter ever addressed any of these issues.
    In fact, the use of an I-O model such as IMPLAN has been considered 
problematic in economic research. In addition to the lack of 
transparency inherent in the software-generated calculations, peer-
reviewed journal articles have also suggested that inaccurate 
production functions are one of IMPLAN's weakest links, and that an I-O 
model has the potential to over-calculate impact.\4\ In addition, in a 
review of several studies that used methodology similar to IMPLAN, 
Kinnaman (2011) found the studies to be based on questionable 
assumptions that likely overstate the economic impact.\5\ Furthermore, 
Brown and Munasib & Rickman (2014) also found studies using I-O models 
over-estimated actual economic impact of natural gas extraction. 
Because of the difficulty in using the I-O model appropriately and 
correctly, there are hardly any relevant studies based on such models 
for agriculture imports that have gone through the peer review process 
of an economic journal.\6\
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    \4\ Lazarus, W.F., D.E. Platas, and G.W. Morse, 2002. IMPLAN's 
Weakest Link: Production Functions or Regional Purchase 
Coefficients? Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, 32 (2002): 
33-48.; Brown, J.P., Goetz, S.J., Ahearn, M.C., & Liang, C. (2014) 
Linkages between Community-Focused Agriculture, Farm Sales, and 
Regional Growth. Economic Development Quarterly, 28(1), 5-16.
    \5\ Kinnaman, T.C., 2011. The Economic Impact of Shale Gas 
Extraction: A Review of Existing Studies. Ecol. Econ. 70: 1243-1249.
    \6\ Brown, J.P., Goetz, S.J., Ahearn, M.C., & Liang, C. (2014) 
Linkages between Community-Focused Agriculture, Farm Sales, and 
Regional Growth. Economic Development Quarterly, 28(1), 5-16; 
Munasib, A. and D.S. Rickman, 2015. Regional Economic Impacts of the 
Shale Gas and Tight Oil Boom: A Synthetic Control Analysis. Regional 
Science and Urban Economics, 50:1-17.
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    There are other economic impact models that are more comprehensive 
and more robust than I-O models, such as econometric simulation models 
(ESMs) or computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. It is quite an 
undertaking to use these models, for modelers have to collect data and 
adjust assumptions in the models before running estimations. It is only 
sensible to use these models when the size of expected imports is 
significant. Because the projected amount of beef imports from Namibia 
is very small, only 0.07 to 0.44 percent of total United States 
imports, FSIS believes it does not need a model to tell that it is very 
unlikely to have a noticeable impact on beef prices and other economic 
measures.

Executive Order 12866 and 13563, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This final rule was designated a ``non-significant'' regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly, this rule was not 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.

Economic Impact Analysis for Namibia Export Equivalence

    This final rule adds Namibia to the list of countries eligible to 
export meat products into the United States. The government of Namibia 
intends to certify only one Namibian establishment as eligible to 
export boneless raw beef products to the United States. Given this 
establishment's beef production capacity and the projected export 
volume, FSIS projects that this final rule will not have a significant 
impact on the United States economy. The annual boneless beef 
production of this establishment averaged 21.4 million pounds from 2008 
to 2014. The projected volume of exports to the United States is about 
1.9 million pounds in the first year, increasing to about 12.5 million 
pounds in five years.\7\ The average annual United States domestic beef 
production in 2012-2015 was 24.9 billion pounds, projected to be 24.6 
billion pounds in 2016.\8\ The total United States import of beef 
averages 2.70 billion pounds per year for 2012-2015, projected to be 
2.85

[[Page 45229]]

billion pounds in 2016.\9\ Therefore, the projected Namibian beef 
imports in the first year would only be about 0.008 percent of total 
United States production, and 0.07 percent of total United States 
imports. If Namibia achieves the projected export goal in five years, 
and assuming that United States beef production and import volume stay 
about the same, the projected beef imports from Namibia would still 
only be about 0.05 percent of total United States production, and 0.44 
percent of total United States imports.
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    \7\ According to Namibia, this is the ``optimistic'' projection 
they wish to achieve. Market conditions will affect actual results.
    \8\ https://www.ers.usda.gov/media/2009937/ldp-m-260.pdf, 
accessed on April 7, 2016; part of Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry 
Outlook by Economic Research Service, USDA.
    \9\ Ibid.
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    Although Namibia indicates that, for now, it is seeking to export 
boneless beef products only, this final rule would not preclude their 
exporting other meat products in the future, if the products meet all 
other applicable requirements of the United States, including those of 
USDA's APHIS, and any additional requirements that FSIS might have in 
place with regard to the products. Therefore, the long-term economic 
impact could be larger than what FSIS can assess right now.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Assessment

    The FSIS Administrator certifies that, for the purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-602), this final rule will not 
have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities in 
the United States. As mentioned above, the expected trade volume is 
very small. Therefore, the action should have no significant impact on 
small entities that produce beef products domestically.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. Under this rule: (1) All State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2) 
no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) no 
administrative proceedings will be required before parties may file 
suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    No new paperwork requirements are associated with this rule. 
Foreign countries wanting to export meat and meat products to the 
United States are required to provide information to FSIS certifying 
that their inspection systems provide standards equivalent to those of 
the United States, and that the legal authority for the system and 
their implementing regulations are equivalent to those of the United 
States. This information collection was approved under OMB number 0583-
0153. The rule contains no other paperwork requirements.

E-Government Act

    FSIS and USDA are committed to achieving the purposes of the E-
Government Act (44 U.S.C. 3601, et seq.) by, among other things, 
promoting the use of the Internet and other information technologies 
and providing increased opportunities for citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will officially notify the World Trade Organization's 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO/SPS Committee) in 
Geneva, Switzerland, of this rule and will announce it online through 
the FSIS Web page located at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/interim-and-final-rules.
    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS Web page located at: 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS also will make copies of this publication available through 
the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that 
could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the 
Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more 
diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription 
service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food 
safety news and information. This service is available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export 
information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or 
delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password 
protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 327

    Food labeling, Food packaging, Imports, Meat inspection.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, FSIS amends 9 CFR part 327 
as follows:

PART 327--IMPORTED PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 327 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601-695; 7 CFR 2.18, 2.53.


Sec.  327.2  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  327.2(b) by adding ``Namibia'' in alphabetical order to 
the list of countries.

    Done at Washington, DC, on July 1, 2016.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-16546 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P