[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30602]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 01-032-2]


Prohibition of Beef From Argentina

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 removing the provisions for the 
importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Argentina and by 
removing the exemptions that allowed cured or cooked beef to be 
imported from Argentina under certain conditions without meeting the 
requirements of the regulations regarding cured and cooked meat from 
regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease exists. We took 
those actions after the existence of foot-and-mouth disease was 
confirmed in Argentina. The effect of the interim rule was to prohibit 
the importation of any fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Argentina 
and to prohibit the importation of any cooked or cured beef from 
Argentina that does not meet the requirements of the regulations 
regarding cured and cooked meat from regions where rinderpest or foot-
and-mouth disease exists. We took those actions as an emergency measure 
to protect the livestock of the United States from foot-and-mouth 
disease.

DATES: The interim rule became effective on February 19, 2001.

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) 734-3276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective on February 19, 2001, and published in 
the Federal Register on June 4, 2001 (66 FR 29897-29899, Docket No. 01-
032-1), we amended the regulations in 9 CFR part 94 by removing the 
provisions for the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from 
Argentina and by removing the exemptions that allowed cured or cooked 
beef to be imported from Argentina under certain conditions without 
meeting the requirements of the regulations regarding cured and cooked 
meat from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease exists. 
The effect of that action was to prohibit the importation of any fresh 
(chilled or frozen) beef from Argentina and to prohibit the importation 
of any cooked or cured beef from Argentina that does not met the 
requirements of the regulations regarding cured and cooked meat from 
regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease exists.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before August 3, 2001. We received one comment, which supported the 
interim rule. Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we 
are adopting the interim rule as a final rule without change.
    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 
29897-29899 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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of December 2001.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30602 Filed 12-10-01; 8:45 am]
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