Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards; Virtual Public Meetings, 44252-44253 [2023-14689]

Download as PDF 44252 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 12, 2023 / Notices what emissions estimation gap would use of these data address, and how would these data best be obtained? 2. The Federal Government plans to improve process representations as well as calibration and validation of livestock models and methods. What models or improvements would significantly improve emissions estimates from livestock? 3. As the Federal Government looks to establish research networks to synthesize findings on GHG emissions from the livestock sector, what existing networks exist and could be leveraged as part of this effort? Croplands 1. What technologies or methods not currently used by the Federal Government could reduce the costs and improve reliability of in situ and remote sensing relevant to soil carbon measurements for use in the proposed soil carbon monitoring network? 2. What data should be reported from the soil carbon monitoring network? How will the data be useful to you? 3. Are there existing soil testing sampling methods USDA should be looking to synchronize with? What improvements or adjustments to existing technologies or methods used by the Federal Government could help improve data collection and integration into program delivery? Forestry 1. What technologies and methods have demonstrated success in improving annual GHG estimation of forest carbon, including forest product life cycle assessments and associated long-term carbon implications, and could, with modest additional effort, be transitioned to more sustained use or scaled up? 2. What technologies and methods have demonstrated success in improving GHG estimation for urban forestry? For respondents in the urban forestry sector that rely on Federal GHG inventory information and methods, how could the Federal Government’s efforts be improved to meet your needs? lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Data and Data Sharing 1. What approaches should the Federal Government consider to expand access to GHG-related data and methods for GHG quantification/estimation? This includes aggregating proprietary or survey data for higher-level analysis and sharing. 2. What key gaps in data on GHG emissions from management and production methods should USDA prioritize when quantifying emissions VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:29 Jul 11, 2023 Jkt 259001 from manure management, rice cultivation, or fertilizer application? Responses should be limited to 4 pages maximum. USDA Non-Discrimination Policy In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 or 844–433– 2774 (toll-free nationwide). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– 3027, found online at https:// www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-aprogram-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA, and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632–9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or email: OAC@ usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Seth Meyer, Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, United States Department of Agriculture. [FR Doc. 2023–14158 Filed 7–11–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–GL–P PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2023–0042] Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards; Virtual Public Meetings Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold five virtual listening sessions to receive public input on topics related to updates and improvements to the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards. SUMMARY: The virtual listening sessions will be held via webinar on July 27, 2023, at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); August 10, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT; August 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. EDT; August 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. EDT; and September 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT. ADDRESSES: These will be virtual listening sessions. Participants will be required to register in advance to participate in the listening sessions. For more information about registration, providing comments, and accessibility for the meetings, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Hillary A. McManama, Veterinary Medical Officer, Cervid Health Staff, Strategy and Policy, Veterinary Services, APHIS; c/o Ms. Melanie Rouse, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737; email: CWD@usda.gov; phone: (608) 381–2529. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Background Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids (members of Cervidae, the deer family). Species currently known to be susceptible to CWD include elk, mule deer, moose, white-tailed deer, sika deer, muntjac, reindeer, and black-tailed deer. In 2014, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) implemented the National CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP), a voluntary Federal-State-industry cooperative program administered by APHIS and implemented by participating States. States and herd owners choosing to participate must comply with the provisions of 9 CFR parts 55 and 81 (referred to below as the regulations), E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 12, 2023 / Notices which include requirements for animal identification, interstate movement, fencing, recordkeeping, herd inspections and inventories, animal mortality testing, and response to any findings of CWD-exposed, -suspect, or -positive herds. APHIS monitors the approved State HCPs to ensure consistency with Federal standards by means of annual State reporting and onsite and/or virtual program reviews as needed. With each year of successful surveillance, participating herds will advance in status. After 5 years of compliance with the program requirements with no evidence of CWD, APHIS will certify the herd as being low risk for CWD. Only captive cervids (deer, elk, and moose) from enrolled herds certified as low risk for CWD may move interstate. APHIS has issued a CWD Program Standards document 1 to provide detailed guidance on how to meet the requirements of the regulations referred to above. Section 603 of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill enacted the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act (H.R. 5608, the CWD Research and Management Act). Under the terms of the CWD Research and Management Act, APHIS must ‘‘solicit public feedback on potential updates and improvements’’ to the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards. Pursuant to the CWD Research and Management Act, APHIS is publishing this notice soliciting public feedback on potential updates and improvements to the CWD Program Standards. Specifically, we are scheduling a series of virtual listening sessions to gather information that will help us in evaluating and potentially amending the program standards consistent with the CWD Research and Management Act. The listening sessions will be conducted virtually, by webinar. Registration: The listening sessions will be held on July 27, 2023, at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); August 10, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT; August 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. EDT; August 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. EDT; and September 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT. Topics for discussion on July 27th, at 12 p.m. EDT will be: • The overall direction of the program. • Increasing herd certification program participation. • Biosecurity. • Prevention of contact between farmed and wild cervids. • Prevention of CWD not including genetics. Topics for discussion on August 10th, at 3 p.m. EDT will be: • Inspection and inventory, including: Æ animal identification (ID); Æ electronic ID; and Æ annual and physical inspections. Topics for discussion on August 17th, at 2 p.m. EDT will be: • Surveillance. • Use of ante-mortem tests. • Postmortem sampling. • Penalties for HCP non-compliance. Topic for discussion on August 24th, at 1 p.m. EDT will be: • Disease response, including use of predictive genetics to manage CWD positive, suspect and exposed herds. Topics for discussion on September 14th, at 3 p.m. EDT will be: • Indemnity approach, including role of indemnity in predictive genetics herd management; and • Use of predictive genetics to prevent CWD within the HCP. Topics needing additional discussion may be added to a listening session and will be announced at least 2 weeks prior to the session on the Cervid Health Program website at https://www.aphis. usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ animal-disease-information/cervid/ cervids-cwd/cervids-voluntary-hcp. Participants will need to register in advance to participate in the listening sessions. The deadline to register to speak at the first listening session is July 20, 2023. The deadline to register for the remaining sessions will be one week prior to each session. Comments will be limited to a maximum of 3 to 5 minutes depending on the number of requests to speak. Registration instructions and updated session information can be accessed on the Cervid Health Program website. Public comment: You may provide written comments at the meetings by using the meeting chat function or file written comments before, during, or after the meetings by emailing or mailing to the Agency contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Written comments by attendees or other interested stakeholders will be welcomed for the public record up to close of business Monday, November 13, 2023. Please refer to Docket No. APHIS–2023–0042 when submitting your comments. We also encourage interested persons to subscribe to APHIS’ Stakeholder Registry 2 to receive updated 1 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ animal_diseases/cwd/downloads/cwd-programstandards.pdf. 2 To subscribe to the APHIS Stakeholder Registry, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:29 Jul 11, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44253 information by email about the upcoming listening sessions. Accessibility: If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, please contact CWD@usda.gov. Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of July 2023. Michael Watson, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2023–14689 Filed 7–11–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Reasons for UnderRedemption of the WIC Cash-Value Benefit Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Department of Agriculture (USDA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a NEW information collection. This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about the reasons behind under-redemption of the cash-value benefit (CVB) issued to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 11, 2023. SUMMARY: Comments may be sent to Summer Weber, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of Summer Weber at 815–319–5697 or via email at summer.weber@usda.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Summer Weber at ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44252-44253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14689]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0042]


Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards; 
Virtual Public Meetings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service will hold five virtual listening sessions to receive 
public input on topics related to updates and improvements to the 
Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards.

DATES: The virtual listening sessions will be held via webinar on July 
27, 2023, at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); August 10, 2023, at 3 
p.m. EDT; August 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. EDT; August 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. 
EDT; and September 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: These will be virtual listening sessions. Participants will 
be required to register in advance to participate in the listening 
sessions. For more information about registration, providing comments, 
and accessibility for the meetings, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Hillary A. McManama, Veterinary 
Medical Officer, Cervid Health Staff, Strategy and Policy, Veterinary 
Services, APHIS; c/o Ms. Melanie Rouse, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, 
Riverdale, MD 20737; email: [email protected]; phone: (608) 381-2529.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform 
encephalopathy of cervids (members of Cervidae, the deer family). 
Species currently known to be susceptible to CWD include elk, mule 
deer, moose, white-tailed deer, sika deer, muntjac, reindeer, and 
black-tailed deer.
    In 2014, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
implemented the National CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP), a 
voluntary Federal-State-industry cooperative program administered by 
APHIS and implemented by participating States. States and herd owners 
choosing to participate must comply with the provisions of 9 CFR parts 
55 and 81 (referred to below as the regulations),

[[Page 44253]]

which include requirements for animal identification, interstate 
movement, fencing, recordkeeping, herd inspections and inventories, 
animal mortality testing, and response to any findings of CWD-exposed, 
-suspect, or -positive herds. APHIS monitors the approved State HCPs to 
ensure consistency with Federal standards by means of annual State 
reporting and onsite and/or virtual program reviews as needed. With 
each year of successful surveillance, participating herds will advance 
in status. After 5 years of compliance with the program requirements 
with no evidence of CWD, APHIS will certify the herd as being low risk 
for CWD. Only captive cervids (deer, elk, and moose) from enrolled 
herds certified as low risk for CWD may move interstate. APHIS has 
issued a CWD Program Standards document \1\ to provide detailed 
guidance on how to meet the requirements of the regulations referred to 
above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/cwd/downloads/cwd-program-standards.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 603 of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill 
enacted the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act (H.R. 
5608, the CWD Research and Management Act). Under the terms of the CWD 
Research and Management Act, APHIS must ``solicit public feedback on 
potential updates and improvements'' to the Chronic Wasting Disease 
Herd Certification Program Standards.
    Pursuant to the CWD Research and Management Act, APHIS is 
publishing this notice soliciting public feedback on potential updates 
and improvements to the CWD Program Standards. Specifically, we are 
scheduling a series of virtual listening sessions to gather information 
that will help us in evaluating and potentially amending the program 
standards consistent with the CWD Research and Management Act. The 
listening sessions will be conducted virtually, by webinar.
    Registration: The listening sessions will be held on July 27, 2023, 
at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); August 10, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT; 
August 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. EDT; August 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. EDT; and 
September 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. EDT.
    Topics for discussion on July 27th, at 12 p.m. EDT will be:
     The overall direction of the program.
     Increasing herd certification program participation.
     Biosecurity.
     Prevention of contact between farmed and wild cervids.
     Prevention of CWD not including genetics.
    Topics for discussion on August 10th, at 3 p.m. EDT will be:
     Inspection and inventory, including:
    [cir] animal identification (ID);
    [cir] electronic ID; and
    [cir] annual and physical inspections.
    Topics for discussion on August 17th, at 2 p.m. EDT will be:
     Surveillance.
     Use of ante-mortem tests.
     Postmortem sampling.
     Penalties for HCP non-compliance.
    Topic for discussion on August 24th, at 1 p.m. EDT will be:
     Disease response, including use of predictive genetics to 
manage CWD positive, suspect and exposed herds.
    Topics for discussion on September 14th, at 3 p.m. EDT will be:
     Indemnity approach, including role of indemnity in 
predictive genetics herd management; and
     Use of predictive genetics to prevent CWD within the HCP.
    Topics needing additional discussion may be added to a listening 
session and will be announced at least 2 weeks prior to the session on 
the Cervid Health Program website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cervid/cervids-cwd/cervids-voluntary-hcp.
    Participants will need to register in advance to participate in the 
listening sessions. The deadline to register to speak at the first 
listening session is July 20, 2023. The deadline to register for the 
remaining sessions will be one week prior to each session. Comments 
will be limited to a maximum of 3 to 5 minutes depending on the number 
of requests to speak. Registration instructions and updated session 
information can be accessed on the Cervid Health Program website.
    Public comment: You may provide written comments at the meetings by 
using the meeting chat function or file written comments before, 
during, or after the meetings by emailing or mailing to the Agency 
contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Written comments 
by attendees or other interested stakeholders will be welcomed for the 
public record up to close of business Monday, November 13, 2023. Please 
refer to Docket No. APHIS-2023-0042 when submitting your comments. We 
also encourage interested persons to subscribe to APHIS' Stakeholder 
Registry \2\ to receive updated information by email about the upcoming 
listening sessions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ To subscribe to the APHIS Stakeholder Registry, go to 
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accessibility: If you require special accommodations, such as a 
sign language interpreter, please contact [email protected].

    Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of July 2023.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14689 Filed 7-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.