[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2206-2207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-743]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

9 CFR Parts 331 and 381

[Docket No. 00-052F]


Termination of Designation of the State of Missouri With Respect 
to the Inspection of Meat and Meat Food Products and Poultry and 
Poultry Food Products

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule and termination of designation.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal meat and poultry products 
inspection regulations by terminating the designation of the State of 
Missouri under Titles I, II, and IV of the Federal Meat Inspection Act 
(FMIA) and under sections 1 through 4, 6 through 11, and 12 through 22 
of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA).

DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. William F. Leese, Director, 
Federal-State Relations Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service; 
telephone (202) 418-8900 or fax (202) 418-8834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 301(c) of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 661(c)) and section 5(c) of 
the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 454(c)) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture 
(Secretary) to designate a State as one in which the provisions of 
Titles I and IV of the FMIA and sections 1-4, 6-11, and 12-22 of the 
PPIA will apply to operations and transactions wholly within the State 
after the Secretary has determined that requirements at least ``equal 
to'' those imposed under the Acts have not been developed and 
effectively enforced by the State.
    On August 18, 1972, the Secretary designated the State of Missouri 
under section 301(c) of the FMIA and section 5(c) of the PPIA as a 
State in which the Federal Government is responsible for providing meat 
and poultry inspection at eligible establishments and for otherwise 
enforcing the applicable provisions of the FMIA and the PPIA with 
regard to intrastate activities in the State.
    In addition, on January 31, 1975, the Federal Government assumed 
the responsibility of administering the authorities provided for under 
sections 202 and 203 of the FMIA (21 U.S.C. 642 and 643) and sections 
11(b) and (c) of the PPIA (21 U.S.C. 460(b) and (c)) regarding certain 
classes of operators of meat and poultry products in Missouri.

[[Page 2207]]

    These designations were undertaken by the Secretary when he 
determined that the State of Missouri was not in a position to enforce 
requirements that are at least ``equal to'' the requirements of FMIA 
and PPIA enforced by the Federal Government.
    The Director of Agriculture of the State of Missouri has advised 
FSIS that on January 1, 2001, the State of Missouri will be in a 
position to administer a State meat and poultry products inspection 
program that includes requirements at least ``equal to'' those imposed 
under the Federal meat and poultry products inspection program.
    Section 301(c) of the FMIA and section 5(c) of the PPIA provide 
that whenever the Secretary of Agriculture determines that any 
designated State has developed and will enforce State meat and poultry 
products inspection requirements at least ``equal to'' those imposed by 
the Federal Government under the FMIA and the PPIA with regard to 
intrastate operations and transactions, the Secretary will terminate 
the designation of such State. The Secretary has determined that the 
State of Missouri has developed, and will enforce, such a State meat 
and poultry products inspection program in accordance with the 
applicable provisions of the FMIA and the PPIA.
    Since it does not appear that public participation in this matter 
would make additional relevant information available to the Secretary 
under the administrative procedure provisions in 5 U.S.C. 553, it is 
found upon good cause that such procedure is impracticable and 
unnecessary.

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule is issued in conformance with Executive Order 12886 
and has been determined not to be a major rule. It will not result in 
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more and will not 
adversely affect the economy or any segment of the economy. Because 
this final rule is not a significant rule under Executive Order 12866, 
it has not undergone review by the Office of Management and Budget.

Effect on Small Entities

    The FSIS Administrator has determined that this action will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354; 
6 U.S.C. 601). As stated above, the State of Missouri is assuming a 
responsibility, previously limited to the Federal Government, of 
administering the meat and poultry products inspection program for 
intrastate operations and transactions.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS has considered the potential civil rights impact of this final 
rule on minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Public 
involvement in all segments of rulemaking and policy development is 
important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure that minorities, 
women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this rulemaking, FSIS 
will announce it and provide copies of this Federal Register 
publication in the FSIS Constituent Update.
    FSIS provides a weekly Constituent Update, which is communicated 
via fax to more than 300 organizations and individuals. In addition, 
the update is available on-line through the FSIS web page located at 
http://fsis.usda.gov. The update is used to provide information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and any other types of 
information that could affect or be of interest to our constituents and 
shareholders. The constituent fax list consists of industry, trade, and 
farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, and 
other persons who have requested to be included. Through these various 
channels, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader and 
diverse audience. For more information and to be added to the 
constituent fax list, fax your request to (202) 720-5704.

List of Subjects

9 CFR Part 331

    Meat inspection.

9 CFR Part 381

    Poultry and poultry products.

    Accordingly, parts 331 and 381 are amended as follows:

PART 331--[AMENDED]

    The authority citation for part 331 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 601-695; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.55.


Sec. 331.2  [Amended]

    1. The table in section 331.2 is amended by removing ``Missouri'' 
from the ``State'' column and by removing the corresponding date.


Sec. 331.6  [Amended]

    2. The table in section 331.6 is amended by removing ``Missouri'' 
from the ``State'' column in two places and by removing the 
corresponding dates.

PART 381--[AMENDED]

    3. The authority citation for part 381 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 138F; 7 U.S.C. 450; 21 U.S.C. 451-470; 7 CFR 
2.17, 2.55.


Sec. 381.221  [Amended]

    4. The table in section 381.221 is amended by removing ``Missouri'' 
from the ``States'' column and by removing the corresponding date.


Sec. 381.224  [Amended]

    5. The table in section 381.224 is amended by removing ``Missouri'' 
from the ``State'' column in two places and by removing the 
corresponding dates.

    Done in Washington, DC, on: January 5, 2001.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-743 Filed 1-10-01; 8:45 am]
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