[Federal Register: January 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 2)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 247]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ja07-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 247]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 77
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0145]
Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations;
Texas
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 bovine tuberculosis regulations regarding State
and zone classifications by raising the designation of Texas from
modified accredited advanced to accredited-free. The interim rule was
based on our determination that Texas met the criteria for designation
as an accredited-free State.
DATES: Effective on January 4, 2007, we are adopting as a final rule
the interim rule published at 71 FR 58252-58254 on October 3, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kathy Orloski, Epidemiologist,
National Tuberculosis Eradication Program, National Center for Animal
Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, M/S 3E20,
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117, (970) 494-7221.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In an interim rule \1\ effective on September 29, 2006, and
published in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006 (71 FR 58252-
58254, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0145), we amended the bovine tuberculosis
regulations regarding State and zone classifications in 9 CFR part 77
by raising the designation of Texas from modified accredited advanced
to accredited-free. The interim rule was based on our determination
that Texas met the criteria for designation as an accredited-free
State.
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\1\ To view the interim rule and the comment we received, go to
http://www.regulations.gov, click on the ``Advanced Search'' tab,
and select ``Docket Search.'' In the Docket ID field, enter APHIS-
2006-0145, then click ``Submit.'' Clicking on the Docket ID link in
the search results page will produce a list of all documents in the
docket.
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Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or
before December 4, 2006. We received one comment by that date, from a
private citizen. The commenter stated his belief that if his herd of
cattle is tested, then all neighboring herds should be tested to ensure
that all cattle in the area are free of tuberculosis. We noted in the
interim rule that State animal health authorities in Texas have
demonstrated to us that the State meets the criteria for accredited-
free status set forth in the definition of accredited-free State or
zone in Sec. 77.5 of the tuberculosis regulations. Those criteria
include a requirement for zero percent prevalence of affected cattle or
bison herds.
Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are
adopting the interim rule as a final rule.
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 77
Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Tuberculosis.
PART 77--TUBERCULOSIS
0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the
interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 77 and that was published at 71 FR
58252-58254 on October 3, 2006.
Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of December 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22545 Filed 1-3-07; 8:45 am]
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