[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6946]
Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 59 / Monday, March 28, 1994 /
[Federal Register: March 28, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 59
Monday, March 28, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 78
[Docket No. 94-008-1]
Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Texas
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are amending the brucellosis regulations concerning the
interstate movement of cattle by changing the classification of Texas
from Class B to Class A. We have determined that Texas meets the
standards for Class A status. This action relieves certain restrictions
on the interstate movement of cattle from Texas.
DATES: Interim rule effective March 28, 1994. Consideration will be
given only to comments received on or before May 27, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to
Chief, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, USDA, room 804,
Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Please
state that your comments refer to Docket No. 94-008-1. 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. Michael J. Gilsdorf, Senior Staff
Veterinarian, Cattle Diseases and Surveillance Staff, Veterinary
Services, APHIS, USDA, room 729, Federal Building, 6505 Belcrest Road,
Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-4918.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting animals and man,
caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella.
The brucellosis regulations, contained in 9 CFR part 78 (referred
to below as the regulations), provide a system for classifying States
or portions of States according to the rate of Brucella infection
present, and the general effectiveness of a brucellosis control and
eradication program. The classifications are Class Free, Class A, Class
B, and Class C. States or areas that do not meet the minimum standards
for Class C are required to be placed under Federal quarantine.
The brucellosis Class Free classification is based on a finding of
no known brucellosis in cattle for the 12 months preceding
classification as Class Free. The Class C classification is for States
or areas with the highest rate of brucellosis. Class B and Class A fall
between these two extremes. Restrictions on moving cattle interstate
become less stringent as a State approaches or achieves Class Free
status.
The standards for the different classifications of States or areas
entail maintaining: (1) A cattle herd infection rate not to exceed a
stated level during 12 consecutive months; (2) a rate of infection in
the cattle population (based on the percentage of brucellosis reactors
found in the Market Cattle Identification (MCI) program--a program of
testing at stockyards, farms, ranches, and slaughter establishments)
not to exceed a stated level; (3) a surveillance system that includes
testing of dairy herds, participation of all recognized slaughtering
establishments in the MCI program, identification and monitoring of
herds at high risk of infection (including herds adjacent to infected
herds and herds from which infected animals have been sold or
received), and having an individual herd plan in effect within a stated
number of days after the herd owner is notified of the finding of
brucellosis in a herd he or she owns; and (4) minimum procedural
standards for administering the program.
Before the effective date of this interim rule, Texas was
classified as a Class B State because of its herd infection rate and
its MCI reactor prevalence rate.
To attain and maintain Class A status, a State or area must: (1)
Not exceed a cattle herd infection rate, due to field strain Brucella
abortus, of 0.25 percent, or 2.5 herds per 1,000, based on the number
of reactors found within the State or area during any 12 consecutive
months, except in States with 10,000 or fewer herds; (2) maintain for
12 consecutive months an MCI reactor prevalence rate not to exceed 0.10
percent, or one reactor per 1,000 cattle tested; (3) have an approved
individual herd plan in effect within 15 days of locating the source
herd or recipient herd; and (4) maintain the specified surveillance
system.
After reviewing the brucellosis program records for Texas, we have
concluded that the State meets the standards for Class A status.
Therefore, we are removing Texas from the list of Class B States in
Sec. 78.41(c) and adding it to the list of Class A States in
Sec. 78.41(b). This action relieves certain restrictions on moving
cattle interstate from Texas.
Immediate Action
The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
has determined that there is good cause for publishing this interim
rule without prior opportunity for public comment. Immediate action is
warranted to remove unnecessary restrictions on the interstate movement
of cattle from Texas.
Because prior notice and other public procedures with respect to
this action are impracticable and contrary to the public interest under
these conditions, we find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 to make it
effective upon publication in the Federal Register. We will consider
comments that are received within 60 days of publication of this rule
in the Federal Register. After the comment period closes, we will
publish another document in the Federal Register. It will include a
discussion of any comments we receive and any amendments we are making
to the rule as a result of the comments.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interim rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866.
For this action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its
review process required by Executive Order 12866.
Cattle moved interstate are moved for slaughter, for use as
breeding stock, or for feeding. Changing the brucellosis status of
Texas from Class B to Class A will promote economic growth by reducing
certain testing and other requirements governing the interstate
movement of cattle from the State. Cattle from certified brucellosis-
free herds moving interstate are not affected by this change.
The groups affected by this action will be herd owners in Texas, as
well as buyers and importers of cattle from the State.
There are an estimated 140,000 cattle herds in Texas that would be
affected by this rule. Ninety-eight percent of these are owned by small
entities. If the total cost of testing were distributed equally among
all herds affected by this rule, this change in classification could
save at the most approximately $4 per herd.
Therefore, we believe that changing the brucellosis status for
Texas would not have a significant economic impact on the small
entities affected by this interim rule.
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
Executive Order 12372
This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372,
which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local
officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)
Executive Order 12778
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, Civil
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and
regulations that are in conflict with this rule; (2) has no retroactive
effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings before
parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This document contains no information collection or recordkeeping
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.).
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 78
Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Hogs, Quarantine, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Accordingly, 9 CFR part 78 is amended as follows:
PART 78--BRUCELLOSIS
1. The authority citation for part 78 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-114a-1, 114g, 115, 117, 120, 121, 123-
126, 134b, 134f; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(d).
Sec. 78.41 [Amended]
2. Section 78.41, paragraph (b), is amended by revising ``, and
Tennessee'' to read ``, Tennessee, and Texas''.
3. Section 78.41, paragraph (c), is amended by removing ``Texas''
and adding ``None'' in its place.
Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of March 1994.
Patricia Jensen,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Marketing and Inspection Services.
[FR Doc. 94-6946 Filed 3-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
