Addition of Singapore to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever, 83378-83379 [2023-26234]

Download as PDF 83378 Notices Federal Register Vol. 88, No. 228 Wednesday, November 29, 2023 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 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request 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 December 29, 2023 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 17:26 Nov 28, 2023 Jkt 262001 displays a currently valid OMB control number. Food and Nutrition Service Title: Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P–EBT). OMB Control Number: 0584–0660. Summary of Collection: This is a revision of the currently approved information collection for activities related to the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P–EBT). The P–EBT is part of the U.S. Government response to the COVID–19 pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to administer, through State agencies, the PEBT programs. States are required to submit an operational plan to FNS Regional Office for approval. With the expiration of the COVID–19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, States will not receive approval for operational plans submitted after Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023 (i.e., September 30, 2023), although States may issue some benefits retroactively to households after September 30, 2023, based on prior plan approvals. However, FNS proposes an extension for limited elements of the currently approved information collection to facilitate the orderly winddown and close-out of the P–EBT program. Need and Use of the Information: This information collection is necessary to determine eligibility and benefit levels for P–EBT. The information collected will used to determine the benefit levels children are eligible to receive, which will vary depending on the FY of the approved plan. Additionally, during the summer months all children eligible for free or reduced price meals that are enrolled in schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program are considered eligible for P–EBT. This requires all schools to provide the State agency with a list of children who have been determined eligible for free and reduced price meals. FNS will provide funding to each State’s SNAP State agency for 100% of P–EBT-related school level administrative costs. Such funding will be available for the necessary, allowable, and reasonable State agency PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 costs associated with the administration of P–EBT incurred during FY 2020– 2023. In order to receive this funding, schools must report to their State agency on the school level costs incurred to administer P–EBT. Description of Respondents: State agencies, private sector (business-not-for profit), individuals and households. Number of Respondents: 114,337. Frequency of Responses: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 20,087. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2023–26219 Filed 11–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2023–0070] Addition of Singapore to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we have added Singapore to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) list maintained on the APHIS website of regions considered to be affected with African swine fever (ASF). We have taken this action because of the confirmation of ASF in Singapore. DATES: Singapore was added to the APHIS list of regions considered affected with ASF effective February 16, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Amber Kerk, Staff Officer, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 920 Main Campus Drive, Venture II, 3rd Floor, Raleigh, NC 27606; phone: (608) 662–0625; 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 29, 2023 / Notices ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine that can spread rapidly 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 states that APHIS will add a region to the list referenced in § 94.8(a)(2) upon determining ASF exists in the region or having reason to believe the disease 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 (WOAH),1 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). On February 9, 2023, the veterinary authorities of Singapore reported to WOAH the occurrence of ASF in that country. In response to that report, on February 16, 2023, APHIS added Singapore to the list of regions where ASF exists or the Administrator has reason to believe that ASF exists, in compliance with § 94.8(a)(3). This notice serves as an official record and public notification of that action. As a result, pork and pork products from Singapore, including casings, are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to mitigate the risk of ASF introduction into the United States. Congressional Review Act Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Office of 1 The World Organization for Animal Health internationally follows a British English spelling of ‘‘organisation’’ in its name; also, it was formerly the Office International des Epizooties, or OIE, but on May 28, 2022, the Organization announced that the acronym was changed from OIE to WOAH. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:26 Nov 28, 2023 Jkt 262001 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 24th day of November 2023. Michael Watson, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2023–26234 Filed 11–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2023–0047] Addition of Bolivia to the List of Regions Affected With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that we added Bolivia to the list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service considers to be affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This action follows our imposition of HPAI-related restrictions on the importation of avian commodities originating from or transiting Bolivia as a result of the confirmation of HPAI in that country. DATES: Bolivia was added to the list of regions APHIS considers to be affected with HPAI, effective on February 2, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. La’Toya Lane, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, VS, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737; phone: (301) 550–1671; email: AskRegionalization@usda.gov. 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 to prevent the introduction of various animal diseases, including Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from regions where these diseases are considered to exist. Section 94.6 of the regulations contains requirements governing the importation into the United States of carcasses, meat, parts or products of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 83379 carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, or other birds from regions of the world where HPAI exists or is reasonably believed to exist. HPAI is an extremely infectious and potentially fatal form of avian influenza in birds and poultry that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a list of restricted regions it considers to be affected with HPAI of any subtype on the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-andanimal-product-import-information/ animal-health-status-of-regions. APHIS receives notice of HPAI outbreaks from veterinary officials of the exporting country, from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) 1 or from other sources the Administrator determines to be reliable. On January 31, 2023, the veterinary authorities of Bolivia reported to WOAH an HPAI occurrence in that country. On February 2, 2023, after confirming that HPAI occurred in commercial birds or poultry, APHIS added Bolivia to the list of regions where HPAI exists. On that same day, APHIS issued an import alert notifying stakeholders that APHIS imposed restrictions on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry commodities from Bolivia to mitigate risk of HPAI introduction into the United States. With the publication of this notice, we are informing the public that we added Bolivia to the list of regions APHIS considers to be affected with HPAI of any subtype, effective February 2, 2023. This notice serves as an official record and public notification of this action. 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. 1 The World Organization for Animal Health internationally follows a British English spelling of ‘‘organization’’ in its name; also, it was formerly the Office International des Epizooties, or OIE, but on May 28, 2022, the Organization announced that the acronym was changed from OIE to WOAH. E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83378-83379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26234]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2023-0070]


Addition of Singapore to the List of Regions Affected by African 
Swine Fever

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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

DATES: Singapore was added to the APHIS list of regions considered 
affected with ASF effective February 16, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Amber Kerk, Staff Officer, 
Regionalization Evaluation Services, Strategy and Policy, Veterinary 
Services, APHIS, 920 Main Campus Drive, Venture II, 3rd Floor, Raleigh, 
NC 27606; phone: (608) 662-0625; 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

[[Page 83379]]

highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine that can spread 
rapidly 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 states that APHIS will add a 
region to the list referenced in Sec.  94.8(a)(2) upon determining ASF 
exists in the region or having reason to believe the disease 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 (WOAH),\1\ 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The World Organization for Animal Health internationally 
follows a British English spelling of ``organisation'' in its name; 
also, it was formerly the Office International des Epizooties, or 
OIE, but on May 28, 2022, the Organization announced that the 
acronym was changed from OIE to WOAH.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On February 9, 2023, the veterinary authorities of Singapore 
reported to WOAH the occurrence of ASF in that country. In response to 
that report, on February 16, 2023, APHIS added Singapore to the list of 
regions where ASF exists or the Administrator has reason to believe 
that ASF exists, in compliance with Sec.  94.8(a)(3). This notice 
serves as an official record and public notification of that action.
    As a result, pork and pork products from Singapore, including 
casings, are subject to APHIS import restrictions designed to mitigate 
the risk of ASF introduction into the United States.

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 24th day of November 2023.
Michael Watson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-26234 Filed 11-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

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