[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 12800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6227]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 49 / Monday, March 15, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 12800]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 98-115-1]
Declaration of Emergency Because of Classical Swine Fever (Hog
Cholera) in the Dominican Republic and Haiti
A serious outbreak of classical swine fever (CSF), commonly known
as hog cholera in the United States, is occurring in the Dominican
Republic and Haiti. CSF was confirmed in Haiti in October 1996, and in
the Dominican Republic in June 1997.
CSF, a highly contagious viral disease of swine, was eradicated
from the United States in 1978 after a 16-year effort by industry and
Federal and State Governments. If a similar eradication effort were
attempted today, the estimated cost would exceed $500 million. While
CSF does not cause illness in people, the more virulent strains can
cause high morbidity and mortality in pigs. The less virulent strains
can typically cause diarrhea, severe growth retardation, and
reproductive losses. CSF is currently found in 36 countries in Europe,
Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. The reintroduction of this
disease into the United States could devastate the U.S. pork industry.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S.
pork industry have recently determined that CSF in the Dominican
Republic and Haiti poses a risk to the U.S. swine population. The
primary risk to U.S. swine is through the illegal movement of swine and
meat products, such as sausage, by airline passengers coming into the
United States from the Dominican Republic. The CSF virus can survive
for several months in pickled meat and for several years in smoked and
frozen meat.
To protect the multi-billion dollar U.S. pork industry, including
600,000 jobs, and to maintain the Nation's food security and the pork
and pork product export market valued at more than $1 billion, APHIS
has already begun to respond to the CSF risk. The Agency has provided
technical assistance to both the Dominican Republic and Haiti; enhanced
passenger and baggage inspections on flights arriving from these two
countries; and increased inspections of garbage feeders in Puerto Rico.
APHIS needs an additional $5.3 million to take adequate precautions
against the introduction of CSF into the United States. Activities that
would be funded by the additional money include an inspection program
in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, a veterinarian stationed on the
Island of Hispaniola, and enhanced surveillance of swine herds in the
United States.
Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of
September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there is
an emergency which threatens the swine population of the United States
and hereby authorize the transfer and use of such funds as may be
necessary from appropriations or other funds available to the agencies
or corporations of the United States Department of Agriculture for the
conduct of a program to enhance surveillance activities and prevent the
introduction of CSF into the United States.
Effective date: This declaration of emergency shall become effective
March 9, 1999.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 99-6227 Filed 3-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
