Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service October 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 15 of 15
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia; Interstate Movement and Import Restrictions on Certain Live Fish
On September 9, 2008, we published an interim rule in the Federal Register (73 FR 52173-52189) to restrict the interstate movement and importation into the United States of live fish that are susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a highly contagious disease of certain freshwater and saltwater fish. That interim rule was scheduled to become effective on November 10, 2008. We are delaying the effective date of the interim rule until January 9, 2009. This delay will provide APHIS with time to consider all comments and make some adjustments to the interim rule that may be necessary in order to successfully implement it.
General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Meeting
We are giving notice of a meeting of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Special Need Requests Under the Plant Protection Act
We are amending our domestic quarantine regulations to establish a process by which a State or political subdivision of a State could request approval to impose prohibitions or restrictions on the movement in interstate commerce of specific articles that are in addition to the prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Plant Protection Act provides that States or political subdivisions of States may make such special need requests, but there are currently no procedures in place for their submission or consideration. This action establishes a process by which States may make a special need request.
Handling of Animals; Contingency Plans
We are proposing to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations to add requirements for contingency planning and training of personnel by research facilities and by dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers. We are proposing these requirements because we believe all licensees and registrants should develop a contingency plan for all animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act in an effort to better prepare for potential disasters. This action would heighten the awareness of licensees and registrants regarding their responsibilities and help ensure a timely and appropriate response should an emergency or disaster occur.
Sirex Woodwasp; Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
We are advising the public that a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to a proposed biological control program for Sirex woodwasp. The environmental assessment documents our review and analysis of environmental impacts associated with the proposed biological control program. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002; Biennial Review and Republication of the Select Agent and Toxin List
In accordance with the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002, we are amending and republishing the list of select agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products. The Act requires the biennial review and republication of the list of select agents and toxins and the revision of the list as necessary. This action implements the findings of the second biennial review of the list.
Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for the Importation of Guavas From Mexico Into the United States
We are advising the public of our decision to begin issuing permits for the importation into the United States of fresh guava fruit from Mexico. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, we believe that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of guavas from Mexico.
Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations; Minnesota
We are amending the regulations to recognize Minnesota for split-State status for tuberculosis. The entire State of Minnesota has been classified as modified accredited; however, all its affected herds are located in portions of four counties in the northwest corner of the State. We have determined that Minnesota meets our requirements for zone classification. Therefore, we are removing Minnesota from the list of modified accredited States, adding an area in the northwest corner to the list of modified accredited zones, and adding the remainder of the State to the list of modified accredited advanced zones. This action relieves restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from areas of Minnesota other than the modified accredited zone in the northwest corner.
Trichinae Certification Program
We are amending the regulations to establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions. Under the program, we will certify pork production sites that follow prescribed good production practices that reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of exposure of swine to zoonotic parasites of the genus Trichinella. Such a program should enhance the ability of producers to export pork and pork products to overseas markets. This program has been developed as a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Pork Board, and the pork processing industry. This program will include those producers who choose to participate in the program, as well as slaughter facilities and other persons that handle or process swine from pork production sites that have been certified under the program.
Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms
We propose to revise our regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms in order to bring the regulations into alignment with provisions of the Plant Protection Act. The revisions would also update the regulations in response to advances in genetic science and technology and our accumulated experience in implementing the current regulations. This is the first comprehensive review and revision of the regulations since they were established in 1987. This rule would affect persons involved in the importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of genetically engineered plants and certain other genetically engineered organisms.
Implementation of Revised Lacey Act Provisions
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. The declaration requirements of the Lacey Act become effective on December 15, 2008. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public about the new Lacey Act provisions, particularly the declaration requirements and the Federal Government's plan to implement and enforce the declaration requirements.
General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Intent To Renew
We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (Committee) for a 2-year period. The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the Committee is necessary and in the public interest.
Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Enforcement Operations Survey
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to initiate a new information collection for a survey by APHIS' Investigative and Enforcement Services unit.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
