E8-19624. Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Texas

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 Texas from Class A to Class Free. We determined that Texas meets the standards for Class Free status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Texas.

DATES:

Effective on August 25, 2008, we are adopting as a final rule the interim rule published at 73 FR 6007-6008 on February 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Debbi A. Donch, National Brucellosis Epidemiologist, Ruminant Health Programs Staff, National Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting animals and humans, 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.

In an interim rule ^[1] effective and published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6007-6008, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0003), we amended the regulations by changing the classification of the State of Texas from Class A to Class Free. That action relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Texas.

Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before April 1, 2008. We received one comment by that date, from an industry organization. The commenter supported the action taken in the interim rule to classify Texas as a Class Free State. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule and in this document, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule without change.

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 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 73 FR 6007-6008 on February 1, 2008.

Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of August 2008.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Footnotes

1.  To view the interim rule and the comment we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/​fdmspublic/​component/​main?​main=​DocketDetail&​d=​APHIS-2008-0003.