[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63910-63911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30601]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 01-029-2]


Change in Disease Status of the Republic of San Marino and the 
Independent Principalities of Andorra and Monaco

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 by adding the Republic of San Marino 
and the independent principalities of Andorra and Monaco to the list of 
regions that present an undue risk of introducing bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy into the United States because their import requirements 
are less restrictive than those required for import into the United 
States and/or because of inadequate surveillance. The interim rule 
placed restrictions on the importation of ruminants that have been in 
Andorra, Monaco, or San Marino and meat, meat products, and certain 
other products of ruminants that have been in Andorra, Monaco, or San 
Marino. The interim rule was necessary in order to prevent the 
introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United 
States.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on May 29, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donna Malloy, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export, Products Program, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 
734-3277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective May 29, 2001, and published in the 
Federal Register on June 4, 2001 (66 FR 29899-29900, Docket No. 01-029-
1), we amended 9 CFR part 94 by adding the Republic of San Marino and 
the independent principalities of Andorra and Monaco to the list of 
regions that present an undue risk of introducing bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy (BSE) into the United States because their import 
requirements are less restrictive than those required for import into 
the United States and/or because of inadequate surveillance. That 
action was necessary on an emergency basis to prevent the introduction 
of BSE into the United States.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before August 3, 2001. 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 Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, Executive Order 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.

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 66 FR 
29899-29900 on June 4, 2001.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7711, 7712, 7713, 7714, 7751, and 7754; 
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.


[[Page 63911]]


    Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of December 2001.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30601 Filed 12-10-01; 8:45 am]
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