[Federal Register: February 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 31)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 7839]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16fe05-1]                         


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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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[[Page 7839]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 78

[Docket No. 04-103-2]

 
Brucellosis in Swine; Add Arkansas, Louisiana, and Michigan to 
List of Validated Brucellosis Free States

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate 
movement of swine by adding Arkansas, Louisiana, and Michigan to the 
list of validated brucellosis-free States. That action was necessary to 
relieve certain restrictions on the interstate movement of breeding 
swine from Arkansas and Louisiana and to confirm Michigan's status as a 
validated brucellosis-free State.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on November 18, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Korslund, Staff Veterinarian 
(Swine Health), Eradication and Surveillance Team, National Center for 
Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-5914.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria of the genus 
Brucella. The disease mainly affects cattle, bison, and swine, but 
goats, sheep, horses, and even humans are susceptible. In its principal 
animal hosts, it causes loss of young through spontaneous abortion or 
birth of weak offspring, reduced milk production, and infertility. 
There is no economically feasible treatment for brucellosis in 
livestock. In humans, brucellosis initially causes flu-like symptoms, 
but the disease may develop into a variety of chronic conditions, 
including arthritis. Humans can be treated for brucellosis with 
antibiotics.
    The brucellosis regulations in 9 CFR part 78 (referred to below as 
the regulations) contain specific provisions for cattle, bison, and 
swine. Under the regulations, States, herds, and individual animals are 
classified according to their brucellosis status. Interstate movement 
requirements for animals are based upon the disease status of the 
individual animals or the herd or State from which the animal 
originates.
    In an interim rule effective and published in the Federal Register 
on November 18, 2004 (69 FR 67501-67503, Docket No. 04-103-1), we 
amended Sec.  78.43 of the regulations by adding Arkansas, Louisiana, 
and Michigan to the list of validated brucellosis-free States.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before January 18, 2005. We received one comment by that date, from a 
private citizen. The commenter stated that all interstate movement of 
swine should be banned and that if living conditions for swine were 
raised, swine would be more resistant to diseases such as brucellosis. 
The commenter further objected to the use of taxpayer funds for the 
brucellosis program and to the use of the term ``depopulated.'' As this 
comment has no bearing on the action taken in the interim rule (i.e., 
the addition of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Michigan to the list of 
validated swine brucellosis-free States), no changes to the interim 
rule are indicated.
    Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule and in this 
document, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule without 
change.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived its review under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 78

    Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Hogs, Quarantine, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 78--BRUCELLOSIS

0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 78 and that was published at 69 FR 
67501-67503 on November 18, 2004.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of February 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2967 Filed 2-15-05; 8:45 am]

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