2011-10715. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Interim rule; reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY:

We are reopening the comment period for our interim rule that amended the regulations concerning the importation of animals and animal products to prohibit or restrict the importation of bird and poultry products from regions where any subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza is considered to exist. The interim rule also imposed restrictions concerning importation of live poultry and birds that have been vaccinated for certain types of avian influenza, or that have moved through regions where any subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza is considered to exist. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES:

We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 18, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​fdmspublic/​component/​main?​main=​DocketDetail&​d=​APHIS-2006-0074 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074.

Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call [phone] before coming.

Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Julia Punderson, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export, Animal Health Policy and Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On January 24, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 4046-4056, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074) an interim rule that amended the regulations governing the importation into the United States of specified animals and animal products and byproducts in order to prohibit or restrict the importation of bird and poultry products from regions where any subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza is considered to exist. The interim rule was effective upon publication.

Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before March 25, 2011. We are reopening the comment period on Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074 for an additional 15 days. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. We will also consider all comments received between March 26, 2011, and the date of this notice.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 1622, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of April 2011.

Gregory L. Parham,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.