Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service July 27, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This is a notice to inform the public that the comment period for the submission of stakeholder concerns related to the implementation of the National Animal Identification System will be closing on August 3, 2009. The comment period opened on May 1, 2009, with the publication of our first notice announcing public meetings on the subject. The last meeting was held on June 30, 2009, and it was our intention to continue to provide the public with the option of submitting written comments for at least 30 days following that final meeting.

We are advising the public that we have received a request from the Government of the Republic of South Africa to recognize 16 additional magisterial districts in 3 provinces as pest-free areas for citrus black spot. After reviewing the documentation submitted in support of this request, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that these areas meet the criteria in our regulations for recognition as pest-free areas. We are making that determination, as well as an evaluation document we have prepared in connection with this action, available for review and comment.