[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 217 (Thursday, November 9, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65758-65759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19042]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 93, 94, and 95

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0026]


Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions, 
Identification of Ruminants and Processing and Importation of 
Commodities

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that 
would remove several restrictions regarding the identification of 
animals and the processing of ruminant materials from BSE minimal-risk 
regions, as well as BSE-based restrictions on gelatin derived from 
bovine hides. This action will allow interested persons additional time 
to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
November 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the 
Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0026 to submit or view public

[[Page 65759]]

comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``User Tips'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies 
of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-
2006-0026, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-
03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0026.
    Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on Docket 
No. APHIS-2006-0026 in our reading room. The reading room is located in 
room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone 
is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its 
programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding ruminant 
products, contact Dr. Karen James-Preston, Director, Technical Trade 
Services, Animal Products, National Center for Import and Export, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-
4356.
    For information concerning live ruminants, contact Dr. Lee Ann 
Thomas, Director, Technical Trade Services, Animals, Organisms and 
Vectors, and Select Agents, National Center for Import and Export, VS, 
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-
4356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 9, 2006, we published in the 
Federal Register (71 FR 45439-45444, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0026) a 
proposal to remove several restrictions regarding the identification of 
animals and the processing of ruminant materials from BSE minimal-risk 
regions, as well as BSE-based restrictions on gelatin derived from 
bovine hides.
    Comments on the proposed rule were required to be received on or 
before October 10, 2006. We are reopening the comment period on Docket 
No. APHIS-2006-0026 for an additional 14 days. This action will allow 
interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. We 
will also consider all comments received between October 11, 2006, and 
the date of this notice.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 1622, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-
8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 
371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd of November 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-19042 Filed 11-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P