[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 9 (Thursday, January 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 2468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-800]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 9 / Thursday, January 14, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 2468]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 98-123-1]


Declaration of Emergency Because of Pseudorabies

    Pseudorabies, a contagious, infectious, and communicable disease of 
livestock, primarily swine, is present in the United States. The 
disease, also known as Aujeszky's disease, mad itch, and infectious 
bulbar paralysis, is caused by a herpes virus. Pseudorabies does not 
affect humans.
    In 1989 the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
launched a national pseudorabies eradication program in the United 
States. This pseudorabies eradication program, conducted in cooperation 
with the State governments and swine producers, involves the systematic 
identification of pseudorabies infected swine in the United States and 
the management of herds to eliminate sources of pseudorabies. By 1992, 
the program had identified nearly 8,000 swine herds as being infected. 
Steady progress towards eradication of Pseudorabies has been made since 
that time, and now only a little over 1,000 infected swine herds 
remained in the United States. By the end of the year 2000 pseudorabies 
should be completely eradicated from the United States.
    Currently, swine prices in the United States are severely 
depressed. Not only are swine herd owners unable to sell their animals 
at a profit, they are actually losing money on these animals by 
continuing to feed and maintain them. Many of these owners are failing 
to vaccinate these devalued swine, since the cost of vaccinations cuts 
even further into the herd owner's financial resources. This poses a 
serious risk of spreading pseudorabies to additional premises and 
prolonging eradication efforts. This setback to the pseudorabies 
eradication program could not only be economically damaging to the 
swine industry, but also would be costly for the Federal Government.
    Therefore, APHIS has determined it is necessary to commence a 
voluntary accelerated pseudorabies eradication program in which the 
agency purchases and depopulates, as quickly as possible, as many 
pseudorabies infected herds at a considerable savings.
    However, APHIS resources are insufficient to carry out this 
accelerated pseudorabies eradication program, therefore, additional 
funds are needed. These funds would be used for the following 
activities which are designed to eradicate pseudorabies in the United 
States well ahead of schedule: Contact swine herd owners in various 
States and purchase their infected herds from them at fair market 
value; remove and depopulate these infected herds on a voluntary basis; 
dispose of the swine carcasses; and conduct surveillance of surrounding 
herds to ensure that the disease has not spread beyond the infected 
herd that is being depopulated.
    Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 
September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there is 
an emergency that threatens the livestock industry of this country and 
hereby authorize the transfer and use of such funds as may be necessary 
from appropriations or other funds available to the agencies or 
corporations of the United States Department of Agriculture to commence 
a voluntary accelerated pseudorabies eradication program in the United 
States.
    Effective Date: This declaration of emergency shall become 
effective January 7, 1999.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 99-800 Filed 1-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-M