[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29644]



[[Page 60161]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, and 130

[Docket No. 94-106-10]
RIN O579-AA71


Importation of Animals and Animal Products; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service will host a public meeting to discuss the agency's 
plans for implementing a final rule and policy statement on the 
importation of animals and animal products that were published in the 
Federal Register on October 28, 1997.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on November 21, 1997, from 9:00 
a.m. to noon.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the USDA Center at 
Riverside, Conference Room D, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD. Parking 
is available next to the building for a $2.00 fee (have quarters or 
$1.00 bills). The nearest Metro station is the College Park station on 
the Green Line, and it is within walking distance.

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

    On October 28, 1997, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) published a final rule in the Federal Register (62 FR 56000-
56026, Docket No. 94-106-9) that establishes procedures and a 
regulatory framework for recognizing regions, rather than only 
countries, for the purpose of importing animals and animal products 
into the United States. The final rule also establishes procedures by 
which regions may request permission to export animals and animal 
products to the United States under specified conditions, based on the 
regions' disease status. The final rule is scheduled to become 
effective on November 28, 1997. A notice published in the same issue of 
the Federal Register (62 FR 56027-56033, Docket No. 94-106-8) sets 
forth our policy on regionalization. The policy statement and 
regulations are in accordance with international trade agreements 
entered into by the United States.
    The public meeting on November 21, 1997, in Riverdale, MD, will 
provide an opportunity for APHIS to discuss its plans for implementing 
the final rule and policy on regionalization. All interested persons 
are invited to attend.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 5th day of November 1997.
Terry L. Medley,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29644 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
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