[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7816-7822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3866]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 17, 1999 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 94
[Docket No. 98-029-1]
Change in Disease Status of the Republic of South Africa Because
of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: We are proposing to declare the Republic of South Africa,
except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth
disease controlled area, free of foot-and-mouth disease. We are also
proposing to declare all of the Republic of South Africa free of
rinderpest. These proposed actions appear to be appropriate because
there have been no outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the Republic
of South Africa, except in Kruger National Park and the remainder of
the foot-and-mouth disease controlled area, since 1957, and there have
been no outbreaks of rinderpest in the Republic of South Africa since
1903. These proposed actions would relieve certain restrictions due to
foot-and-mouth disease and rinderpest on the importation into the
United States of certain live animals and animal products from all
regions of the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park
and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth disease controlled area.
However, because we consider the Republic of South Africa to be
affected with hog cholera, African swine fever, and swine vesicular
disease, and because the Republic of South Africa has certain trade
practices regarding animals and animal products that are less
restrictive than are acceptable for importation into the United States,
the importation of live swine, and meat and other products from
ruminants and swine, into the United States from the Republic of South
Africa would continue to be subject to certain restrictions.
DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or
before April 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to
Docket No. 98-029-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,
suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please
state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-029-1. Comments
received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th
Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to
inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202)690-2817 to
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Glen I. Garris, Supervisory Staff
Officer, Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff, National Center for
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD
20737-1231, (301) 734-8364.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to below as the
regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animals
and animal products into the United States to help prevent the
introduction of various diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease
(FMD) and rinderpest. FMD and rinderpest are highly contagious and
destructive diseases of ruminants and swine.
Section 94.1(a) of the regulations provides that rinderpest or FMD
exists in all regions of the world except those listed in
Sec. 94.1(a)(2) as free of both of those diseases and those listed in
Sec. 94.1(a)(3) as free of rinderpest. The regulations in Sec. 94.1(b)
prohibit, with certain exceptions, the importation into the United
States of any ruminant or swine, or any fresh (chilled or frozen) meat
of any ruminant or swine, that originates from any region where
rinderpest or FMD exists, or that has entered a port in or otherwise
transited a region where rinderpest or FMD exists. Also, the
regulations in Sec. 94.2 restrict the importation of fresh (chilled or
frozen) products, other than meat, and milk and milk products of
ruminants or swine that originate in or transit a region where
rinderpest or FMD exists. Additionally, the importation of organs,
glands, extracts, and secretions of ruminants or swine originating in a
region where rinderpest or FMD exists is restricted under the
regulations in Sec. 94.3, and the importation of cured or cooked meat
from a region where rinderpest or FMD exists is restricted under the
regulations in Sec. 94.4. Finally, the regulations in 9 CFR part 98
restrict the importation of ruminant and swine embryos and animal semen
from a region where rinderpest or FMD exists.
The Government of the Republic of South Africa has requested that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognize the Republic of
South Africa as free of rinderpest. They have also requested that USDA
recognize the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and
the remainder of the FMD-controlled area, as free of FMD.
We will consider declaring a region free of rinderpest and FMD if,
among other things, no cases of those diseases have been reported in
the region for at least the previous 1-year period and no vaccinations
for rinderpest or FMD have been administered to ruminants or swine in
that region for at least the previous 1-year period. Rinderpest has not
been diagnosed in the Republic of South Africa since 1903, and
vaccination for rinderpest has never occurred. The last diagnosed case
of FMD, outside Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-
controlled area, occurred in 1957, and vaccination outside of Kruger
National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled area is not
allowed.
In the documentation submitted by the Government of the Republic of
South Africa and information obtained during the APHIS on-site
evaluation (described later in this document), Kruger National Park and
the remainder of the FMD-controlled area are described. Kruger National
Park is surrounded by a barbed-wire fence that is approximately 6 feet
high and patrolled by employees of the Republic of South Africa's
agriculture department. One employee is stationed every 10 kilometers
(km). At this time, the barbed-wire fence is being replaced by an
electrified fence that is approximately 8 feet high. Beyond the
[[Page 7817]]
fence, the FMD-controlled area continues. The FMD-controlled area
consists of the ``enzootic area,'' a ``surveillance area,'' and the
rest of the controlled area (which forms a third buffer between
infected areas and the free zone). The enzootic area is the innermost
area of the FMD-controlled area and is approximately 10 to 20 km wide.
Kruger National Park is within the enzootic area. The enzootic area
extends along the national boundaries of the Republic of South Africa
and Kruger National Park (see map below). Cattle and small stock
(goats, sheep, and pigs) can be found in the enzootic area. Under the
Republic of South Africa's regulations, cattle are inspected for signs
of FMD every 7 days, and goats and sheep are similarly inspected every
28 days. In the portion of the enzootic area that is outside of and
that borders Kruger National Park, all cattle, sheep, and goats are
vaccinated against FMD every 6 months. Pigs are not vaccinated or
examined in the enzootic area. However, there is no known commercial
activity involving pigs in the enzootic area. The small stock people
raise in this area are sheep and goats, and not pigs. If any pigs are
present, they are raised for personal consumption and are not likely to
be moved out of the area. Movement of animals susceptible to FMD from
the enzootic area to the rest of the controlled area or the proposed
FMD-free area of the Republic of South Africa requires written
approval, except for direct movement to slaughter. In addition,
movement of animals from the enzootic area to the surveillance area is
allowed under permit after a 14-day quarantine. Also, written approval
may be necessary under certain circumstances. Cattle moved from the
enzootic area to the surveillance area are required to be permanently
branded, except in the case of direct movement to slaughter.
The surveillance area is approximately 10 to 50 km wide; it borders
the enzootic area that adjoins Kruger National Park. Under the Republic
of South Africa's regulations, cattle in the surveillance area are
inspected for signs of FMD every 14 days, and goats and sheep are
similarly inspected every 28 days. Vaccination against FMD is not
permitted in the surveillance area. The movement of animals from the
surveillance area to the rest of the FMD-controlled area or to the
proposed FMD-free area is allowed only after a 14-day quarantine,
issuance of a permit, and written approval, in some cases. Negative
serology is also required under certain circumstances. No branded
cattle are allowed to leave the surveillance area, except for direct
movement to slaughter. However, branded cattle that are in the rest of
the controlled area or the proposed FMD-free area are subject to permit
control and may be moved only after written approval from the proper
authorities.
The rest of the controlled area is approximately 10 to 20 km wide.
This area separates the surveillance area from the rest of the Republic
of South Africa. Under the Republic of South Africa's regulations,
cattle in this area must be inspected for signs of FMD every 28 days.
Vaccination against FMD is not permitted.
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
[[Page 7818]]
Map of the FMD-Controlled Area, Including Zones
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17FE99.005
BILLING CODE 3410-34-C
[[Page 7819]]
The Republic of South Africa also provided information about its
surveillance system within the region under consideration for FMD-free
status. The Republic of South Africa has primarily a passive
surveillance system in which all cases of vesicular disease are
investigated. Control measures are followed to prevent the introduction
of FMD from Kruger National Park and bordering countries. If a case of
FMD is discovered within the region under consideration for FMD-free
status, the affected herd will be depopulated.
APHIS Review of Information
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reviewed
the documentation submitted by the Government of the Republic of South
Africa in support of its request, and a team of APHIS officials
traveled to the Republic of South Africa in May 1998 to conduct an on-
site evaluation of the Republic of South Africa's animal health program
with regard to rinderpest and FMD. The on-site evaluation consisted of
a review of the Republic of South Africa's veterinary services,
laboratory and diagnostic procedures, disease surveillance system, and
vaccination practices, and its administration of laws and regulations
to ensure that rinderpest and FMD are not introduced through the
importation of live animals, meat, and other animal products from other
regions, including Kruger National Park and the remaining FMD-
controlled area.
Livestock Demographics
The on-site evaluation also included a review of the livestock
demographics within the FMD-controlled area. Currently, cattle and
small stock are raised in the FMD-controlled area, and farmers in the
FMD-controlled area typically raise a dozen or so cattle for their
personal use and consumption and market one or more of the animals if
cash is needed. However, cattle in the FMD-controlled area are not
generally raised for commercial purposes. There are approximately
90,000 cattle in the enzootic area, and approximately 120,000 small
stock, which consists primarily of goats but also includes some sheep.
Pigs are uncommon. Small stock are raised for consumption by the owners
and not for commercial purposes.
Movement of Meat and Other Products
There are approximately 10 approved slaughter facilities within the
FMD-controlled area, and essentially all meat produced in these
facilities is consumed within the FMD-controlled area. However, the
Republic of South Africa's regulations allow cooked and cured meat,
hides, and other products prepared in the FMD-controlled area to enter
the proposed FMD-free area. Also, the Republic of South Africa's
regulations allow carcasses, meats, hides, and skins prepared in
approved slaughter facilities in the FMD-controlled area to enter the
proposed FMD-free area. In addition, carcasses and offal that do not
originate from approved slaughter facilities may be moved from the
enzootic area to the surveillance area for a person's own consumption
if the herd of origin has been inspected within the preceding 7 days
(cattle) or 28 days (small stock) or the whole carcass, head, and feet
have been inspected. Hides and skins not originating from approved
slaughter facilities may be moved from the enzootic area to any
destination under permit, and hides and skins originating from approved
slaughter facilities may be moved from the enzootic area to any
destination without a permit.
Barriers Between Regions
APHIS officials also evaluated whether the region under
consideration for FMD-free status was separated adequately by physical
or other barriers from adjacent regions of higher risk. APHIS officials
observed that the outer limits of the FMD-controlled area around Kruger
National Park, previously described in this document, are delineated by
a range of high mountains that virtually encircle the park. In
addition, the Republic of South Africa's northern boundary is rugged
and mountainous. With the exception of its border with the southernmost
portion of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa's borders are
protected by almost 3,000 km of fencing that is electrified in some
areas and topped with barbed wire. Also, some areas of the fence
consist of two or more parallel fences with coils of electrified razor
wire that run between the outer fences. The fences are maintained and
patrolled by the country's army. The portion of its boundary with
Namibia that is not fenced is too mountainous to erect a fence.
Proposed Action
Based on the documentation provided by the Government of the
Republic of South Africa and the data gathered during the on-site visit
by APHIS officials,1 we are proposing to recognize all of
the Republic of South Africa as free of rinderpest and all of the
Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the remainder
of the FMD-controlled area, as free of FMD. Accordingly, we would add
the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the
remainder of the FMD-controlled area, to Sec. 94.1(a)(2) as a region
free of rinderpest and FMD. We would also amend Sec. 94.1(a)(3) by
listing the Republic of South Africa as a region free of rinderpest.
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\1\ A risk assessment has been prepared for this action and is
available upon written request from the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
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These proposed actions would remove: (1) The rinderpest-based
prohibitions on the importation of live ruminants and swine and fresh
(chilled or frozen) meat from ruminants and swine from the Republic of
South Africa, and the FMD-based prohibitions on such importations from
the Republic of South Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the
remainder of the FMD-controlled area; (2) the rinderpest-based
restrictions on the importation of milk and milk products from
ruminants and swine from the Republic of South Africa, and the FMD-
based restrictions on such importations from the Republic of South
Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-
controlled area; (3) the rinderpest-based restrictions on the
importation of organs, glands, extracts, and secretions from ruminants
and swine from the Republic of South Africa, and the FMD-based
restrictions on such importations from the Republic of South Africa,
except for Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled
area; and (4) the rinderpest-based restrictions on the importation of
semen and embryos from ruminants and swine from the Republic of South
Africa, and the FMD-based restrictions on such importations from the
Republic of South Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the
remainder of the FMD-controlled area.
However, because APHIS considers the Republic of South Africa to be
affected with hog cholera, African swine fever, and swine vesicular
disease, pork and pork products from all regions of the Republic of
South Africa would remain subject to the restrictions in Sec. 94.8 for
African swine fever, Sec. 94.9 for hog cholera, and Sec. 94.12 for
swine vesicular disease. Similarly, dry cured pork products would only
be allowed importation from the Republic of South Africa in accordance
with Sec. 94.17. In addition, because of the presence of these swine
diseases, we would continue to prohibit the importation of live swine
into the United States from any part of the Republic of South Africa,
except as provided in 9 CFR part 93 for wild swine. Finally, the
importation of ruminant and swine embryos and semen
[[Page 7820]]
from the Republic of South Africa would be restricted as provided in
subparts B and C of 9 CFR part 98 due to the presence of other ruminant
and swine diseases.
We are also proposing to add the proposed FMD-free area of the
Republic of South Africa to the list in Sec. 94.11(a) of regions
declared free of rinderpest and FMD but are subject to special
restrictions on the importation of their meat and other animal products
into the United States. The regions listed in Sec. 94.11(a) are subject
to these special restrictions because they: (1) Supplement their
national meat supply by importing fresh (chilled or frozen) meat of
ruminants or swine from regions that are designated in Sec. 94.1(a) as
regions where rinderpest or FMD exists; or (2) have a common land
border with regions where rinderpest or FMD exists; or (3) import
ruminants or swine from regions where rinderpest or FMD exists under
conditions less restrictive than would be acceptable for importation
into the United States.
The Republic of South Africa supplements its national meat supply
by importing fresh (chilled or frozen) meat of ruminants and swine from
regions designated in Sec. 94.1(a)(1) as regions in which rinderpest or
FMD exists. In addition, the Republic of South Africa shares common
land borders with regions designated in Sec. 94.1(a)(1) as regions in
which rinderpest or FMD exists. Furthermore, the Republic of South
Africa imports live ruminants and swine from regions not recognized as
free of rinderpest or FMD under conditions less restrictive than would
be acceptable for importation into the United States. As a result,
there is some risk that the meat and other animal products produced by
the Republic of South Africa could be commingled with the fresh
(chilled or frozen) meat of animals from a region in which rinderpest
and FMD exists and present an undue risk of introducing rinderpest or
FMD into the United States if imported without restriction.
Under Sec. 94.11, meat and other animal products of ruminants and
swine, including ship stores, airplane meals, and baggage containing
these meat or animal products, may not be imported into the United
States except in accordance with Sec. 94.11 and applicable requirements
of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service at 9 CFR chapter III.
Section 94.11 generally requires that the meat and other animal
products of ruminants and swine be: (1) Prepared in an inspected
establishment that is eligible to have its products imported into the
United States under the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and (2)
accompanied by an additional certificate, issued by a full-time
salaried veterinary official of the national government of the
exporting region, assuring that the meat or other animal products have
not been commingled with or exposed to meat or other animal products
originating in, imported from, transported through, or that have
otherwise been in a region where rinderpest or FMD exists.
On October 28, 1997, we published a final rule and policy statement
in the Federal Register that established procedures for recognizing
regions, rather than only countries, for the purpose of importing
animals and animal products into the United States, and that
established procedures by which regions may request permission to
export animals and animal products to the United States under specified
conditions, based on the regions' disease status (see 62 FR 56000-
56033, Dockets 94-106-8 and 94-106-9). The final rule was effective on
November 28, 1997. The request from the Republic of South Africa
addressed by this proposed rule is a request to be recognized as two
regions with respect to FMD. The Republic of South Africa provided
documentation to support that the entire country is free of rinderpest.
That Government also provided documentation to support that the
Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the remainder
of the FMD-controlled area, is free of FMD. Therefore, we have handled
and evaluated this request in the traditional framework of recognizing
a region as free or not free of a specified disease. This action does
not involve establishment of any additional restrictions on animals or
animal products from the Republic of South Africa.
Miscellaneous
In Sec. 94.1(b)(1), reference is made to part 92 for the
importation of ruminants and swine. In Docket No. 94-106-9, referenced
previously in this document, we redesignated part 92 as part 93. This
citation was not redesignated at that time due to our oversight. We are
proposing to correct that oversight in this document.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866.
This rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget.
This proposed rule would declare all of the Republic of South
Africa free of rinderpest and the Republic of South Africa, except
Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled area, free
of FMD. This proposed rule would not relieve restrictions imposed on
the importation of swine and pork or pork products because APHIS
considers the Republic of South Africa as affected with hog cholera,
African swine fever, and swine vesicular disease. In addition, since
the Republic of South Africa shares land borders and maintains trading
relationships with FMD-affected regions, ruminant meat and other
products imported into the United States from the Republic of South
Africa would still be subject to certain restrictions under this
proposed rule.
The cattle industry in the Republic of South Africa is small
relative to the cattle industry in the United States. In 1997, there
were more than 101 million head of cattle in the United States,
compared to more than 13 million in the Republic of South Africa. Of
the 2 million head of cattle that were imported into the United States
in 1996, more than 99 percent were from Canada and Mexico. Sheep and
goat inventories are much larger in the Republic of South Africa than
in the United States. In 1997, there were more than 35 million sheep
and goats in the Republic of South Africa, compared to more than 7
million sheep and goats in the United States. Of the sheep that the
United States imports, more than 99 percent are from Canada and Mexico
(``World Trade Atlas,'' June 1997). In 1995, the United States imported
460 goats and sheep from the Republic of South Africa; however, since
1995, the United States has not imported any live goats and sheep from
the Republic of South Africa. We do not believe that adoption of this
proposed rule would result in any significant increase in the number of
live ruminants imported into the United States from the Republic of
South Africa because the United States imports ruminants primarily from
Canada and Mexico.
We also do not believe that adoption of this proposed rule would
result in any significant increase in the amount of ruminant meat
(beef, veal, mutton, and goat meat) and meat products imported into the
United States from the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of South
Africa's production of ruminant meat in 1997 was 1,542 million pounds,
compared to 26,089 million pounds of ruminant meat produced in the
United States. In 1997, the Republic of South Africa imported 196
million pounds of ruminant meat
[[Page 7821]]
and exported 44 million pounds of ruminant meat. The Republic of South
Africa primarily trades with the European Union, Middle East, Japan,
Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and neighboring African countries. The
United States obtains more than 85 percent of its imports of ruminant
meat and meat products from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Any
effect on domestic supplies of ruminant meat and meat products would be
negligible because we believe that it is unlikely that the Republic of
South Africa would redirect a significant portion of its ruminant meat
production for export exclusively to the United States if this proposed
rule is adopted, given that restrictions would remain in place for
imports into the United States.
The importation of dairy products from the Republic of South Africa
into the United States should also be minimally affected by this rule.
In 1997, U.S. exports and imports of dairy products were valued at $727
million and $1,274 million, respectively. In 1997, the United States
exported $3,391,000 worth of dairy products to the Republic of South
Africa and imported only $2,000 worth of dairy products from the
Republic of South Africa. We believe that it is highly unlikely that
the United States would import a significant amount of dairy products
from the Republic of South Africa because the United States is a
significant net exporter of those products to the Republic of South
Africa. Therefore, the impact on domestic dairy producers should be
minimal.
The importation of ruminant embryos and semen from the Republic of
South Africa into the United States should also be minimally affected
by this rule. The United States is a net exporter of both bovine semen
and cattle embryos. In 1996, the value of U.S. bovine semen and cattle
embryo imports was $7.7 million and $701,000, respectively, while the
value of U.S. exports of bovine semen and cattle embryos was $63.1
million and $12.6 million, respectively (``World Trade Atlas,'' June
1997). Due to the trade balance and the size differences between the
cattle industries of the United States and the Republic of South
Africa, the amount of embryos and semen imported will likely be minimal
and have a minimal impact on small domestic cattle producers.
The entities most likely to be affected by this proposed rule are
those entities engaged in the production of live ruminants and ruminant
meat and meat products. The Small Business Administration's (SBA's)
definition of a small cattle farm is one whose total sales is less than
$0.5 million annually. In 1992, 97.8 percent of cattle and calf farms
in the United States would have been considered small entities.
The SBA's guidelines state that a small producer of pork and
ruminant products (part of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
2011 or 2013, meat packing plants) is one employing fewer than 500
workers. In 1992, 97 percent of the 1,367 meat packing establishments
in SIC 2011 were considered small entities. These small establishments
accounted for approximately 40 percent of the total value of shipments
of the industry, or $50.4 billion. In 1992, 98 percent of the 1,264
establishments in SIC 2013 were considered small entities. These
producers accounted for 84 percent of the total value of shipments of
the industry, or $19.97 billion.
Although the majority of the domestic entities potentially affected
by this proposed rule are small, there should be only a minimal change
in the level of imports that may compete with the production of these
small entities, and thus there would be a minimal impact on any
domestic producer of these products, whether small or large.
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,
Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State
and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule
will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this
rule; and (3) administrative proceedings will not be required before
parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.
National Environmental Policy Act
An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact
have been prepared for this proposed rule. The assessment provides a
basis for the conclusion that the importation of certain live animals
and animal products from all regions of the Republic of South Africa,
except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth
disease controlled area, would not present a significant risk of
introducing or disseminating FMD or rinderpest disease agents into the
United States and would not have a significant impact on the quality of
the human environment. Based on the finding of no significant impact,
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has
determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact
were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2)
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing
the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA
regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no
significant impact are available for public inspection at USDA, room
1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect copies are requested to
call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room.
In addition, copies may be obtained by writing to the individual listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule contains no new information collection or
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 94
Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock, Meat and meat products, Milk,
Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, we are proposing to amend 9 CFR part 94 as follows:
PART 94--RINDERPEST, FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE, FOWL PEST (FOWL
PLAGUE), EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE, AFRICAN SWINE FEVER, HOG
CHOLERA, AND BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY: PROHIBITED AND
RESTRICTED IMPORTATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 94 would continue to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162, 450; 19 U.S.C. 1306;
21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31
U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331 and 4332; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and
371.2(d).
Sec. 94.1 [Amended]
2. Section 94.1 would be amended as follows:
a. In paragraph (a)(2), by adding the words ``Republic of South
Africa (except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-
mouth disease controlled area that separates the foot-and-mouth
[[Page 7822]]
disease free area of the Republic of South Africa from Kruger National
Park and the regions along the Republic of South Africa's northern
border),'' immediately after ``Republic of Korea,''.
b. In paragraph (a)(3), by adding the words ``and the Republic of
South Africa'' immediately after ``Greece''.
c. In paragraph (b)(1), the reference ``part 92'' would be removed
and the reference ``part 93'' would be added in its place.
Sec. 94.11 [Amended]
3. In Sec. 94.11, paragraph (a) would be amended by adding, in the
first sentence, the words ``Republic of South Africa (except Kruger
National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth disease
controlled area that separates the foot-and-mouth disease free area of
the Republic of South Africa from Kruger National Park and the regions
along the Republic of South Africa's northern border),'' immediately
after ``Republic of Korea,''.
Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of February 1999.
Craig A. Reed,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3866 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P