[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20190-20191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11238]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
9 CFR Parts 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 98

[Docket No. 94-106-2]


Importation of Animals and Animal Products; Public Hearings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service is hosting a public hearing on the proposed rule on 
the importation of animals and animal products that was published in 
the Federal Register on April 18, 1996. The hearing will provide an 
additional opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal, which 
would establish criteria for foreign ``regions'' based on risk class 
levels. The criteria would be used to establish importation 
requirements for particular animals and animal products from different 
regions outside the United States.

DATES: The public hearing will be held in Riverdale, MD, on May 22 and, 
if there are more registered speakers than can be heard in one day, on 
May 23, 1996. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to end 
at 5 p.m each day.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the USDA Center at 
Riverside, Conference Center, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Gary Colgrove, Chief Staff 
Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 
River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-8590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A public hearing will be held on the notice of proposed rulemaking 
on the importation of animals and animal products, published by the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in the Federal 
Register on April 18, 1996 (61 FR 16977-17105, Docket No. 94-106-1). 
The public hearing will be held in Riverdale, MD, on May 22 and, if 
there are more registered speakers than can be heard in one day, on May 
23, 1996.

[[Page 20191]]

    A representative of APHIS will preside at the public hearing. Any 
interested party may appear and be heard in person, or through an 
attorney or other representative. We are interested in obtaining the 
views of the public on all aspects of the proposed rule.
    Persons who wish to speak at the hearing will be asked to provide 
their names and affiliations. Parties wishing to make oral 
presentations may register in advance by either: (1) Calling the 
Regulatory Analysis and Development voice mail at (301) 734-4346 and 
leaving a message stating their name, telephone number, and 
organization, and the approximate time necessary for their 
presentation; or (2) providing the above information by electronic mail 
to [email protected]. Parties responding by e-mail may wish to 
use the electronic response registration form available at the APHIS 
Regionalization Proposal Web Page. A list of persons registered to 
speak at the hearing will also be posted to the Web page shortly before 
the hearing. The Web page URL is http://www.aphis.usda.gov/PPD/region. 
Registration will also be held at the hearing site on May 22, 1996, 
between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Speakers will be scheduled in the order 
their registration is received. Advance registrations must be 
transmitted to APHIS no later than 9 a.m., d.s.t., May 20, 1996.
    The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. on May 22, 1996. The hearing on 
the second day, May 23, 1996, will be held only if speakers who have 
registered for the first day have not yet had a chance to speak. The 
hearing is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. each day that it is held, but may 
conclude at any time if all persons desiring to speak have been heard. 
The hearing officer may limit the time for each presentation so that 
all interested persons have an opportunity to participate. Attendees 
who wish to speak but who did not register will be provided time to 
speak only after all registered speakers have been heard.
    We ask that anyone who reads a written statement provide two copies 
to the presiding officer at the hearing. A transcript will be made of 
the public hearing and the transcript will be placed in the rulemaking 
record and will be available for public inspection.
    The purpose of the public hearing is to give all interested parties 
an opportunity to present data, views, and information to the 
Department concerning this proposed rule. Questions about the content 
of the proposal may be part of a commenter's oral presentation. 
However, neither the presiding officer nor any other representative of 
the Department will respond to the comments at the hearing, except to 
clarify or explain the proposed rule.
    APHIS intends to schedule additional hearings on the proposed rule 
at various locations around the country over the next several months. 
We will give notice of these additional hearings in the Federal 
Register.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of May 1996.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11238 Filed 5-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P