Addition of the Dominican Republic to the List of Regions Affected With African Swine Fever, 73720-73721 [2021-28054]

Download as PDF 73720 Notices Federal Register Vol. 86, No. 246 Tuesday, December 28, 2021 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 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES December 22, 2021. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments are requested regarding; whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments regarding this information collection received by January 27, 2022 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:45 Dec 27, 2021 Jkt 256001 displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Specimen Submission. OMB Control Number: 0579–0090. Summary of Collection: The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 (AHPA) is the primary Federal law governing the protection of animal health. The law gives the Secretary of Agriculture broad authority to detect, control, or eradicate pests or diseases of livestock or poultry. Disease prevention is the most effective method for maintaining a healthy animal population and for enhancing the United States’ ability to globally compete in the trade of animals and animal products. VS Forms 10–4 and 10–4A, Specimen Submission are critical components of APHIS’ disease surveillance mission. They are used routinely when specimens (such as blood, milk, tissue, or urine) from any animal (including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry) are submitted to APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for disease testing. VS Form 5–38, Parasite Submission form, is completed by State veterinarians or other State representatives, accredited veterinarians, private laboratories, research institutions, and owners or producer. Need and Use of the Information: Using the Specimen Submission Form and Continuation Sheet (APHIS VS 10– 4 & 10–4A), State or Federal veterinarians, accredited veterinarians, or other State and Federal representatives will document the collection and submission of specimens for laboratory analysis. The form identifies the individual animal from which the specimen is taken as well as the animal’s herd or flock; the type of specimen submitted, and the purpose of submitting the specimen. Occasionally the time pressures exerted by or field conditions existing during a disease outbreak leave submitters no time to find or fill out the 10–4; thus, a Nonconforming Submission using whatever scrap of paper is handy. The National Tick Surveillance Program is based on the information submitted on the Parasite Submission Form (VS 5– 38), in addition to critical surveillance information needed for the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. This information identifies the individual PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 submitting the tick samples. Without the information APHIS would not have the critical information necessary to effectively operate a disease surveillance program. Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 1,871. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 10,390. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–28155 Filed 12–27–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2021–0065] Addition of the Dominican Republic to the List of Regions Affected With African Swine Fever Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we have added the Dominican Republic to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). We have taken this action because of confirmation of ASF in the Dominican Republic. DATES: The Dominican Republic was added to the APHIS list of regions considered affected with ASF on July 28, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael Ray, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, APHIS Veterinary Services, 920 Main Campus Drive, Venture II, Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (919) 855–7225; email: AskRegionalization@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to below as the regulations) govern the importation of specified animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into the United States of various animal diseases, including African swine fever (ASF). ASF is a highly contagious disease of wild and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 28, 2021 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES domestic swine that can spread rapidly in swine populations with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. A list of regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist is maintained on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animaland-animal-product-importinformation/animal-health-status-ofregions/. This list is referenced in § 94.8(a)(2) of the regulations. Section 94.8(a)(3) of the regulations state that APHIS will add a region to the list referenced in § 94.8(a)(2) upon determining ASF exists in the region, based on reports APHIS receives of outbreaks of the disease from veterinary officials of the exporting country, from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), or from other sources the Administrator determines to be reliable, or upon determining that there is reason to believe the disease exists in the region. Section 94.8(a)(1) of the regulations specifies the criteria on which the Administrator bases the reason to believe ASF exists in a region. Section 94.8(b) prohibits the importation of pork and pork products from regions listed in accordance with § 94.8 except if processed and treated in accordance with the provisions specified in that section or consigned to an APHIS-approved establishment for further processing. Section 96.2 restricts the importation of swine casings that originated in or were processed in a region where ASF exists, as listed under § 94.8(a). APHIS added the Dominican Republic to the list of regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist on July 28, 2021, following notification by the Dominican Republic of samples obtained from swine that had tested positive for ASF. On July 29, 2021, the veterinary authorities of the Dominican Republic reported to the OIE the occurrence of ASF in that country. This notice serves as an official record and public notification of the APHIS action. As a result, pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic, including casings, are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to mitigate the risk of ASF introduction into the United States, effective July 28, 2021. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this action as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772, 7781–7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:45 Dec 27, 2021 Jkt 256001 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of December 2021. Mark Davidson, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2021–28054 Filed 12–27–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. FSIS–2021–0001] Eligibility of Lithuania to Export Egg Products to the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it intends to list Lithuania as a country eligible to export egg products to the United States. FSIS has reviewed Lithuania’s laws, regulations, and documents concerning their egg products inspection system, audited the system as implemented, and determined that Lithuania’s egg products inspection system is equivalent to the system that the United States has established under the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) and its implementing regulations. Should FSIS make a final determination to list Lithuania as eligible to ship egg products to the United States, only egg products produced in certified Lithuanian establishments would be eligible for export to the United States. All such products would continue to be subject to re-inspection at U.S. pointsof-entry by FSIS inspectors. FSIS is requesting comment before it makes a final determination concerning Lithuania’s equivalence for egg products. FSIS will announce its final determination in a subsequent Federal Register notice. DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 28, 2022. ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. • Mail: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73721 and Inspection Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Washington, DC 20250–3700. • Hand- or Courier-Delivered Submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 350–E, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS– 2021–0001. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, call (202) 205–0495 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–3700. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Edelstein, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and Program Development, telephone (202) 205–0495. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background FSIS is announcing that it intends to list Lithuania as a country eligible to export egg products to the United States. Lithuania is currently eligible to export processed beef and pork to the United States. Statutory and Regulatory Basis for Action The EPIA prohibits the importation of egg products capable of use as human food into the United States unless they were processed under an approved inspection system of the government of the foreign country of origin and are labeled and packaged in accordance with, and otherwise comply with, the standards of the Act and regulations issued thereunder applicable to such articles within the United States (21 U.S.C. 1046(a)(2)). The regulatory requirements for foreign countries to become eligible to export egg products to the United States are provided in 9 CFR 590.910(a). Section 590.910(a) requires a foreign country’s inspection system to be authorized by a legal authority that imposes requirements equivalent to those of the United States, specifically with respect to labeling, packaging, sanitation, processing, facility requirements, and Government inspection. The foreign country’s inspection system must ensure that establishments preparing egg products for export to the United States comply E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73720-73721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28054]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2021-0065]


Addition of the Dominican Republic to the List of Regions 
Affected With African Swine Fever

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have added the Dominican 
Republic to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service considers to be affected with African swine fever 
(ASF). We have taken this action because of confirmation of ASF in the 
Dominican Republic.

DATES: The Dominican Republic was added to the APHIS list of regions 
considered affected with ASF on July 28, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael Ray, Regionalization 
Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, APHIS Veterinary Services, 
920 Main Campus Drive, Venture II, Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (919) 855-
7225; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred 
to below as the regulations) govern the importation of specified 
animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into the United 
States of various animal diseases, including African swine fever (ASF). 
ASF is a highly contagious disease of wild and

[[Page 73721]]

domestic swine that can spread rapidly in swine populations with 
extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. A list of regions 
where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist is maintained on 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website at 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/animal-health-status-of-regions/. 
This list is referenced in Sec.  94.8(a)(2) of the regulations.
    Section 94.8(a)(3) of the regulations state that APHIS will add a 
region to the list referenced in Sec.  94.8(a)(2) upon determining ASF 
exists in the region, based on reports APHIS receives of outbreaks of 
the disease from veterinary officials of the exporting country, from 
the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), or from other sources 
the Administrator determines to be reliable, or upon determining that 
there is reason to believe the disease exists in the region. Section 
94.8(a)(1) of the regulations specifies the criteria on which the 
Administrator bases the reason to believe ASF exists in a region. 
Section 94.8(b) prohibits the importation of pork and pork products 
from regions listed in accordance with Sec.  94.8 except if processed 
and treated in accordance with the provisions specified in that section 
or consigned to an APHIS-approved establishment for further processing. 
Section 96.2 restricts the importation of swine casings that originated 
in or were processed in a region where ASF exists, as listed under 
Sec.  94.8(a).
    APHIS added the Dominican Republic to the list of regions where ASF 
exists or is reasonably believed to exist on July 28, 2021, following 
notification by the Dominican Republic of samples obtained from swine 
that had tested positive for ASF. On July 29, 2021, the veterinary 
authorities of the Dominican Republic reported to the OIE the 
occurrence of ASF in that country. This notice serves as an official 
record and public notification of the APHIS action.
    As a result, pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic, 
including casings, are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to 
mitigate the risk of ASF introduction into the United States, effective 
July 28, 2021.

Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this action 
as not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 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 21st day of December 2021.
Mark Davidson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-28054 Filed 12-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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