[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25247]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2002 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 62171]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 02-068-2]


Change in Disease Status of Poland Because of BSE

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 Poland to the list of 
regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists because the 
disease had been detected in a native-born animal in that region. 
Poland had already been listed among the regions that present an undue 
risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United 
States, so the effect of the interim rule was a continued restriction 
on the importation of ruminants, meat, meat products, and certain other 
products of ruminants that have been in Poland. The interim rule was 
necessary in order to update the disease status of Poland regarding 
bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on May 5, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Gary Colgrove, Chief Staff 
Veterinarian, Sanitary Trade Issues Team, National Center for Import 
and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1231; (301) 734-4356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 9 CFR parts 93, 94, 95, and 96 (referred to 
below as the regulations) govern the importation of certain animals, 
birds, poultry, meat, other animal products and byproducts, hay, and 
straw into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of 
various animal diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
(BSE).
    In an interim rule effective May 5, 2002, and published in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 2002 (67 FR 44016-44018, Docket No. 02-068-
1), we amended the regulations in Sec.  94.18(a)(1) by adding Poland to 
the list of regions where BSE exists. Poland had previously been listed 
in Sec.  94.18(a)(2) as a region that presents an undue risk of 
introducing BSE into the United States. However, due to the detection 
of BSE in a native-born animal in that region, the interim rule was 
necessary to update the disease status of Poland regarding BSE.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before August 30, 2002. We received one comment by that date. The 
commenter fully supported the interim rule.
    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 its review under 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 67 FR 
44016 on July 1, 2002.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7711-7714, 7751, 7754, 8303, 8306, 
8308, 8310, 8311, and 8315; 21 U.S.C. 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 30th day of September 2002 .
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 02-25247 Filed 10-3-02; 8:45 am]
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