[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 195 (Monday, October 7, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 52387-52388] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25638] ======================================================================== Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 195 / Monday, October 7, 1996 / Proposed Rules [[Page 52387]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 91 [Docket No. 96-054-1] Ports Designated for the Exportation of Animals; Georgia AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are proposing to amend the ``Inspection and Handling of Livestock for Exportation'' regulations by adding Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, GA, as a port of embarkation from which animals may be exported from the United States and by adding three Georgia facilities, the Atlanta Equine Complex in Atlanta, Tumbleweed Farm in Mableton, and Southern Cross Ranch in Madison, to the list of approved export inspection facilities. These proposed actions would update the regulations by adding a port and three inspection facilities through which animals may be processed for export. DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or before December 6, 1996. ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to Docket No. 96-054-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. 96-054-1. 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. Andrea Morgan, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Import/Export Animals, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-8354. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The regulations in 9 CFR part 91, ``Inspection and Handling of Livestock for Exportation'' (referred to below as the regulations), prescribe conditions for exporting animals from the United States. The regulations state, among other things, that all animals, except animals being exported by land to Canada or Mexico, must be exported through designated ports of embarkation. Section 91.14(a) contains a list of designated ports of embarkation and export inspection facilities. To receive designation as a port of embarkation, a port must have export inspection facilities available for the inspection, holding, feeding, and watering of animals prior to exportation to ensure that the animals meet certain requirements specified in the regulations. To receive approval as an export inspection facility, the regulations provide that a facility must meet specified standards in Sec. 91.14(c) concerning materials, size, inspection implements, cleaning and disinfection, feed and water, access, testing and treatment, location, disposal of animal wastes, lighting, office and restroom facilities, and walkways. We believe that the Atlanta Equine Complex, 1270 Woolman Place, Atlanta, GA 30354, (404) 767-1700; Tumbleweed Farm, 1677 Buckner Road, Mableton, GA 30059, (770) 948-3556; and Southern Cross Ranch, 1670 Bethany Church Road, Madison, GA 30650, (706) 342-8027, meet the requirements of Sec. 94.14(c). The Atlanta Equine Complex is located at the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport; Tumbleweed Farm is located in the immediate vicinity of the airport; and Southern Cross Ranch is located less than 60 miles from the airport. If these facilities become approved export inspection facilities, veterinarians of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would conduct export inspections of animals at these facilities by appointment. Exporters using the Atlanta Equine Complex would have direct access to the airport, and exporters using Tumbleweed Farm would be able to transport their animals to the airport in approximately 15 minutes. Exporters using Southern Cross Ranch would be able to transport their animals to the airport in approximately 1 hour. Therefore, we are proposing to amend Sec. 91.14(a) to add Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, GA, as a port of embarkation and add the Atlanta Equine Center, Atlanta, GA, Tumbleweed Farm, Mableton, GA, and Southern Cross Ranch, Madison, GA, to the list of export inspection facilities. Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act This proposed 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. This proposed rule would designate Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport as a port of embarkation and three facilities in Georgia--the Atlanta Equine Complex in Atlanta, Tumbleweed Farm in Mableton, and Southern Cross Ranch in Madison--as approved export inspection facilities. The Atlanta Equine Complex and Tumbleweed Farm are located in the immediate vicinity of the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. The location of Southern Cross Ranch is less than 60 miles from the airport, or approximately an hour's driving time, and would offer businesses within the Madison, GA, area a convenient alternative location at which animals destined for export could receive inspections. We do not expect that designating these three facilities as export inspection facilities and Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport as a port of embarkation would have any adverse impact on businesses. These proposed actions should benefit exporters of animals in the region by reducing their animal transportation costs. Currently, the closest designated ports of embarkation from which exporters in Georgia may ship their animals are in Kentucky and Florida. From past export activity in the area, we anticipate that, at least initially, if these proposed actions are made final, a yearly average of about 50 exportations of animals, mostly horses and some goats, would take place through Atlanta. Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant [[Page 52388]] Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would 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 12988 This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) administrative proceedings will not be required before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule. Paperwork Reduction Act This proposed rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 91 Animal diseases, Animal welfare, Exports, Livestock, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Accordingly, 9 CFR part 91 would be amended as follows: PART 91--INSPECTION AND HANDLING OF LIVESTOCK FOR EXPORTATION 1. The authority citation for part 91 would continue to read as follows: Authority: 21 U.S.C. 105, 112, 113, 114a, 120, 121, 134b, 134f, 136, 136a, 612, 613, 614, 618; 46 U.S.C. 466a, 466b; 49 U.S.C. 1509(d); 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d). 2. In Sec. 91.14, paragraphs (a)(3) through (a)(17) would be redesignated as paragraphs (a)(4) through (a)(18), and a new paragraph (a)(3) would be added to read as follows. Sec. 91.14 Ports of embarkation and export inspection facilities. (a) * * * (3) Georgia. (i) Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. (A) Atlanta Equine Complex, 1270 Woolman Place, Atlanta, GA 30354, (404) 767-1700. (B) Tumbleweed Farm (horses only), 1677 Buckner Road, Mableton, GA 30059, (770) 948-3556. (C) Southern Cross Ranch (horses only), 1670 Bethany Church Road, Madison, GA 30650, (706) 342-8027. * * * * * Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of October 1996. A. Strating, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 96-25638 Filed 10-04-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P