[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5520-5521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2959]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 91

[Docket No. 96-054-2]


Ports Designated for the Exportation of Animals; Georgia

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are amending 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 actions update the regulations by 
adding a port and three inspection facilities through which animals may 
be processed for export.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 10, 1997.

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.
    On October 7, 1996, we published in the Federal Register (61 FR 
52387-52388, Docket No. 96-054-1) a proposal to amend the regulations 
by adding the Atlanta Equine Complex in Atlanta, GA, Tumbleweed Farm in 
Mableton, GA, and Southern Cross Ranch in Madison, GA, to the list in 
Sec. 91.14(a) of designated export inspection facilities. We also 
proposed to add Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, GA, 
to the list in Sec. 91.14(a) of designated ports of embarkation.
    We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending 
December 6, 1996. We did not receive any comments. The facts presented 
in the proposed rule still provide the basis for this final rule.
    Therefore, based on the rationale set forth in the proposed rule, 
we are adopting the provisions of the proposal as a final rule without 
change.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. For this 
action,

[[Page 5521]]

the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review process 
required by Executive Order 12866.
    This rule designates 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 less than 60 miles from the airport, or 
approximately an hour's driving time, offers 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 will have any adverse impact on businesses. These 
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, a yearly average of about 
50 exportations of animals, mostly horses and some goats, will take 
place through Atlanta.
    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 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent 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 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 is amended as follows:

PART 91--INSPECTION AND HANDLING OF LIVESTOCK FOR EXPORTATION

    1. The authority citation for part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 105, 112, 113, 114a, 120, 121, 134b, 134f, 
136, 136a, 612, 613, 614, and 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) are 
redesignated as paragraphs (a)(4) through (a)(18), and a new paragraph 
(a)(3) is 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 28th day of January 1997.
Terry L. Medley,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2959 Filed 2-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P