01-30600. Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Florida

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate movement of cattle by changing the classification of Florida from Class A to Class Free. The interim rule was based on our determination that Florida meets the standards for Class Free Status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Florida.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

The interim rule became effective on June 13, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Valerie Ragan, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In an interim rule effective June 13, 2001, and published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2001 (66 FR 32893-32894, Docket No. 01-020-1), we amended the brucellosis regulations in 9 CFR part 78 by removing Florida from the list of Class A States in paragraph (b) of § 78.41 and adding it to the list of Class Free States in paragraph (a) of that section.

Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before August 20, 2001. We did not receive any comments. 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 the review process required by 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

Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 78 and that was published at 66 FR 32893-32894 on June 19, 2001.

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-114a-1, 114g, 115, 117, 120, 121, 123-126, 134b, and 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of December 2001.

W. Ron DeHaven,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.