[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 18593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9321]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 16, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18593]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. 03-001-4]


Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency in New Mexico and Texas 
Because of Exotic Newcastle Disease

    Exotic Newcastle disease (END) has been confirmed in the State of 
Texas, near the Texas-New Mexico border. The disease has been confirmed 
in backyard poultry, which are raised on private premises for hobby, 
exhibition, and personal consumption. Previously, END had been 
confirmed in the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada. The 
Secretary of Agriculture signed a declaration of extraordinary 
emergency with respect to END in California on January 6, 2003 (see 68 
FR 1432, Docket No. 03-001-1, published January 10, 2003), a second 
declaration of extraordinary emergency with respect to END in Nevada on 
January 17, 2003 (see 68 FR 3507, Docket No. 03-001-2, published 
January 24, 2003), and a third declaration of extraordinary emergency 
with respect to END in Arizona on February 7, 2003 (see 68 FR 7338, 
Docket No. 03-001-3, published February 13, 2003).
    END is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting domestic, 
wild, and caged poultry and birds. It is one of the most infectious 
diseases of poultry in the world, and is so virulent that many birds 
die without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100 
percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. END can infect and 
cause death even in vaccinated poultry. This disease in poultry and 
birds is characterized by respiratory signs accompanied by nervous 
manifestations, gastrointestinal lesions, and swelling of the head.
    END is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy 
birds or poultry and the bodily discharges of infected birds or 
poultry. Within an infected flock, END is transmitted by direct 
contact, contaminated feeding and watering equipment, and aerosols 
produced by coughing, gasping, and other respiratory disturbances. 
Dissemination between flocks over long distances is often due to 
movement of contaminated equipment and service personnel, such as 
vaccination crews. Movement of carrier birds and those in an incubating 
stage accounts for most of the outbreaks in the pet bird industry.
    The existence of END in Texas near the Texas-New Mexico border 
represents a threat to the U.S. poultry and bird industries. It 
constitutes a real danger to the national economy and a potential 
serious burden on interstate and foreign commerce. The United States 
Department of Agriculture (the Department) has reviewed the measures 
being taken by New Mexico and Texas to control and eradicate END and 
has consulted with the appropriate State Government and Indian tribal 
officials in New Mexico and Texas. Based on such review and 
consultation, the Department has determined that the measures being 
taken by the States are inadequate to control or eradicate END. 
Therefore, the Department has determined that an extraordinary 
emergency exists in New Mexico and Texas because of END.
    This declaration of extraordinary emergency authorizes the 
Secretary to (1) hold, seize, treat, apply other remedial actions to, 
destroy (including preventative slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, 
any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance if the Secretary 
determines the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of END 
and (2) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within the States of 
New Mexico and Texas, or any portion of the States of New Mexico and 
Texas, of any animal or article, means of conveyance, or facility if 
the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is 
necessary to prevent the dissemination of END. The appropriate State 
Government and Indian tribal officials in New Mexico and Texas have 
been informed of these facts.
    Effective Date: declaration of extraordinary emergency shall become 
effective April 10, 2003.

Ann M. Veneman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 03-9321 Filed 4-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P