[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 167 (Monday, August 28, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21899]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 167 / Monday, August 28, 2000 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 51997]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 99-096-2]


Change in Disease Status of Portugal Because of African Swine 
Fever

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the regulations governing the importation of pork and 
pork products by adding Portugal to the list of regions where African 
swine fever exists. We took this action because there has been an 
outbreak of African swine fever in Portugal. The interim rule 
restricted the importation of pork and pork products into the United 
States from Portugal and was necessary to prevent the introduction of 
African swine fever into the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on November 5, 1999.

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) 734-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective November 5, 1999, and published in the 
Federal Register on December 29, 1999 (64 FR 72912-72913, Docket No. 
99-096-2), we amended the regulations governing the importation of pork 
and pork products by adding Portugal to the list of regions where 
African swine fever exists. This action restricted the importation of 
pork and pork products into the United States from Portugal and was 
necessary to prevent the introduction of African swine fever into the 
United States.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before February 28, 2000. We did not receive any comments. Therefore, 
for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim 
rule as a final rule.
    This action also affirms the information contained in the interim 
rule concerning Executive Orders 12372 and 12988, and the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.
    Further, for this action, the Office of Management and Budget has 
waived the review process required by Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule affirms an interim rule that amended the regulations 
governing the importation of pork and pork products by adding Portugal 
to the list of regions where African swine fever exists. We took this 
action because of an outbreak of African swine fever in Portugal. The 
interim rule restricted the importation of pork and pork products into 
the United States from Portugal and was necessary to prevent the 
introduction of African swine fever into the United States.
    The following analysis addresses the economic effect of this rule 
on small entities, as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The interim rule restricts the importation of pork and pork 
products into the United States from Portugal. Because Portugal has 
never exported pork or pork products to the United States, this rule 
will have no economic effect on U.S. swine importers, hog meat 
processors, hog producers, or any other entities, large or small.
    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.

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 94

    Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock, Meat and meat products, Milk, 
Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

PART 94--RINDERPEST, FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE, FOWL PEST (FOWL 
PLAGUE), EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE, AFRICAN SWINE FEVER, HOG 
CHOLERA, AND BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY: PROHIBITED AND 
RESTRICTED IMPORTATIONS

    Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 94 and that was published at 64 FR 
72912-72913 on December 29, 1999.

    Authority: Title IV, Pub. L. 106-224, 114 Stat. 438, 7 U.S.C. 
7701-7772; 7 U.S.C. 450; 19 U.S.C. 1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 
134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331 and 
4332; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of August 2000.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21899 Filed 8-25-00; 8:45 am]
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