Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan, 48050-48051 [2017-22382]

Download as PDF 48050 Notices Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 198 Monday, October 16, 2017 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2016–0053] Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we are recognizing Japan as being free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. This recognition is based on a risk evaluation we prepared and made available for public review and comment. DATES: This change of disease status will be recognized on October 16, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Regionalization Evaluation Services, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; Kelly.Rhodes@aphis.usda.gov; (301) 851–3315. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to below as the regulations) govern the importation of certain animals and animal products into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of various animal diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease. Within part 94, § 94.6 contains requirements governing the importation of carcasses, meat, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, or other birds from regions where HPAI and Newcastle disease is considered to exist. In accordance with § 94.6(a)(1)(i), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a list of regions in which Newcastle disease is ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Oct 13, 2017 Jkt 244001 not considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(1)(ii) states that APHIS will add a region to this list after it conducts an evaluation of the region and finds that Newcastle disease is not likely to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations. In accordance with § 94.6(a)(2)(i), APHIS maintains a list of regions in which HPAI is considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(2)(ii) states that APHIS will remove a region from this list only after it conducts an evaluation of the region and finds that HPAI is not likely to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations. In 9 CFR part 92, § 92.2 contains requirements for requesting the recognition of the animal health status of a region (as well as for the approval of the export of a particular type of animal or animal product to the United States from a foreign region). If, after review and evaluation of the information submitted in support of the request, APHIS believes the request can be safely granted, APHIS will make its evaluation available for public comment through a document published in the Federal Register. In accordance with that process, we published a notice 1 in the Federal Register on June 30, 2017 (82 FR 29822– 29823, Docket No. APHIS–2016–0053) announcing the availability for review and comment of our evaluation of the HPAI and Newcastle disease status of Japan. Based on this evaluation, we determined that Japan is free of both HPAI and Newcastle disease. We solicited comments on the notice for 30 days ending July 31, 2017. We received two comments by that date, both from private citizens. One commenter supported the action. The second commenter stated that our assessment did not seem to include the most recent occurrence of HPAI in Japan and requested that we explain why we made the determination that no HPAI has occurred when HPAI was reported in Japan in early 2017. The risk evaluation that we made available for public review and comment explained that seven outbreaks of HPAI occurred in November and December of 2016, 1 To view the notice, risk evaluation, environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, and the comments we received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2016-0053. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 followed by five outbreaks from January through May 2017. The risk evaluation examined the biosecurity and surveillance measures that Japan employs to prevent and detect HPAI outbreaks, respectively. There was no evidence that HPAI virus is circulating in domestic poultry in Japan. Each HPAI outbreak appeared to be a point source introduction from infected wild birds, with no other epidemiological connections. These findings support our conclusion that Japan is free of HPAI. Although infection in migratory wild birds presents an ongoing risk of introduction, Japan has effective systems in place to detect and investigate potential HPAI outbreaks and a highly successful rapid response scheme. Based on the evaluation and the reasons given in this document in response to comments, we are recognizing Japan as being free of HPAI and Newcastle disease and will add Japan to the Web-based list of regions in which Newcastle disease is not considered to exist and remove Japan from the web-based list of regions in which HPAI is considered to exist. These lists are available on the APHIS Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animaland-animal-product-importinformation/ct_animal_disease_status. An environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) have been prepared for this action. Based on the FONSI, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared. The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public inspection at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM 16OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2017 / Notices and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect copies are requested to call ahead on (202) 799–7039 to facilitate entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be obtained by writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, 7781– 7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of October 2017. Michael C. Gregoire, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–22382 Filed 10–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meetings of the Kansas Advisory Committee to Discuss Next Steps in the Committee’s Study of Civil Rights and School Funding in Kansas U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Kansas Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold meetings on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 3 p.m. Central time. The Committee will continue discussion and preparations to hold a public hearing as part of their current study on civil rights and school funding in the state. DATES: The meeting will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 3 p.m. Central time. Public Call Information: • Thursday October 26, 2017: Dial: 800– 263–8506, Conference ID: 5951050 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agenda Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at Welcome and Roll Call mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– 8311. Civil Rights in Kansas: School funding SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Future Plans and Actions of the public can listen to these Public Comment discussions. These meetings are Adjournment available to the public through the above call in numbers. Any interested Dated: October 10, 2017. member of the public may call this David Mussatt, number and listen to the meeting. An Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. open comment period will be provided [FR Doc. 2017–22265 Filed 10–13–17; 8:45 am] to allow members of the public to make BILLING CODE P a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization SUMMARY: ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Regional Programs Unit, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 55 W. Monroe St., Suite 410, Chicago, IL 60615. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (312) 353–8324, or emailed to Corrine Sanders at csanders@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (312) 353– 8311. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Kansas Advisory Committee link (https:// www.facadatabase.gov/committee/ meetings.aspx?cid=249). Click on ‘‘meeting details’’ and then ‘‘documents’’ to download. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s Web site, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Oct 13, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48051 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) has received requests to conduct administrative reviews of various antidumping and countervailing duty orders and findings with August anniversary dates. In accordance with the Department’s regulations, we are initiating those administrative reviews. DATES: Applicable October 16, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda E. Waters, Office of AD/CVD Operations, Customs Liaison Unit, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482–4735. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background The Department has received timely requests, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b), for administrative reviews of various antidumping and countervailing duty orders and findings with August anniversary dates. All deadlines for the submission of various types of information, certifications, or comments or actions by the Department discussed below refer to the number of calendar days from the applicable starting time. Notice of No Sales If a producer or exporter named in this notice of initiation had no exports, sales, or entries during the period of review (POR), it must notify the Department within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. All submissions must be filed electronically at https://access.trade.gov in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303.1 Such submissions are subject to verification in accordance with section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Further, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303(f)(1)(i), a copy must be served on every party on the Department’s service list. Respondent Selection In the event the Department limits the number of respondents for individual 1 See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011). E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM 16OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48050-48051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22382]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 48050]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0053]


Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 
and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are recognizing Japan as 
being free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. 
This recognition is based on a risk evaluation we prepared and made 
available for public review and comment.

DATES: This change of disease status will be recognized on October 16, 
2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Regionalization Evaluation Services, National Import 
Export Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1231; Kelly.Rhodes@aphis.usda.gov; (301) 851-3315.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred 
to below as the regulations) govern the importation of certain animals 
and animal products into the United States in order to prevent the 
introduction of various animal diseases, including highly pathogenic 
avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease. Within part 94, Sec.  
94.6 contains requirements governing the importation of carcasses, 
meat, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching 
eggs) of poultry, game birds, or other birds from regions where HPAI 
and Newcastle disease is considered to exist.
    In accordance with Sec.  94.6(a)(1)(i), the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a list of regions in which 
Newcastle disease is not considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
states that APHIS will add a region to this list after it conducts an 
evaluation of the region and finds that Newcastle disease is not likely 
to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations.
    In accordance with Sec.  94.6(a)(2)(i), APHIS maintains a list of 
regions in which HPAI is considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(2)(ii) 
states that APHIS will remove a region from this list only after it 
conducts an evaluation of the region and finds that HPAI is not likely 
to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations.
    In 9 CFR part 92, Sec.  92.2 contains requirements for requesting 
the recognition of the animal health status of a region (as well as for 
the approval of the export of a particular type of animal or animal 
product to the United States from a foreign region). If, after review 
and evaluation of the information submitted in support of the request, 
APHIS believes the request can be safely granted, APHIS will make its 
evaluation available for public comment through a document published in 
the Federal Register.
    In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the 
Federal Register on June 30, 2017 (82 FR 29822-29823, Docket No. APHIS-
2016-0053) announcing the availability for review and comment of our 
evaluation of the HPAI and Newcastle disease status of Japan. Based on 
this evaluation, we determined that Japan is free of both HPAI and 
Newcastle disease.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, risk evaluation, environmental 
assessment, finding of no significant impact, and the comments we 
received, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-
2016-0053.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 30 days ending July 31, 
2017. We received two comments by that date, both from private 
citizens. One commenter supported the action. The second commenter 
stated that our assessment did not seem to include the most recent 
occurrence of HPAI in Japan and requested that we explain why we made 
the determination that no HPAI has occurred when HPAI was reported in 
Japan in early 2017.
    The risk evaluation that we made available for public review and 
comment explained that seven outbreaks of HPAI occurred in November and 
December of 2016, followed by five outbreaks from January through May 
2017. The risk evaluation examined the biosecurity and surveillance 
measures that Japan employs to prevent and detect HPAI outbreaks, 
respectively. There was no evidence that HPAI virus is circulating in 
domestic poultry in Japan. Each HPAI outbreak appeared to be a point 
source introduction from infected wild birds, with no other 
epidemiological connections. These findings support our conclusion that 
Japan is free of HPAI. Although infection in migratory wild birds 
presents an ongoing risk of introduction, Japan has effective systems 
in place to detect and investigate potential HPAI outbreaks and a 
highly successful rapid response scheme.
    Based on the evaluation and the reasons given in this document in 
response to comments, we are recognizing Japan as being free of HPAI 
and Newcastle disease and will add Japan to the Web-based list of 
regions in which Newcastle disease is not considered to exist and 
remove Japan from the web-based list of regions in which HPAI is 
considered to exist. These lists are available on the APHIS Web site at 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/ct_animal_disease_status.
    An environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant 
impact (FONSI) have been prepared for this action. Based on the FONSI, 
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has 
determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
    The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for 
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) 
APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public 
inspection at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m.

[[Page 48051]]

and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing 
to inspect copies are requested to call ahead on (202) 799-7039 to 
facilitate entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be 
obtained by writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-8317; 
21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of October 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22382 Filed 10-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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