[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 230 (Friday, November 30, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67635-67636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23254]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 78

[Docket No. APHIS 2007-0097]


Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Idaho

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim 
rule that amended the brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate 
movement of cattle by changing the classification of Idaho from Class A 
to Class Free. We determined that Idaho met the standards for Class 
Free status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the 
interstate movement of cattle from Idaho.

DATES: Effective on November 30, 2007, we are adopting as a final rule 
the interim rule published at 72 FR 40062-40064 on July 23, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Debbi A. Donch, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Ruminant Health Programs, National Center for Animal 
Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 734-5952.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting animals and humans, 
caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella.
    The brucellosis regulations, contained in 9 CFR part 78 (referred 
to below as the regulations), provide a system for classifying States 
or portions of States

[[Page 67636]]

according to the rate of Brucella infection present and the general 
effectiveness of a brucellosis control and eradication program. The 
classifications are Class Free, Class A, Class B, and Class C. States 
or areas that do not meet the minimum standards for Class C are 
required to be placed under Federal quarantine.
    In an interim rule \1\ effective and published in the Federal 
Register on July 23, 2007 (72 FR 40062-40064, Docket No. APHIS-2007-
0097), we amended the regulations by changing the classification of the 
State of Idaho from Class A to Class Free. That action relieved certain 
restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Idaho.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the interim rule and the comment we received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0097.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before September 21, 2007. We received one comment by that date, from a 
private citizen. This commenter did not, however, address the action 
taken in the interim rule (i.e., the change in Idaho's brucellosis 
classification).
    Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule and in this 
document, 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 Orders 12372 and 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 78

    Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Hogs, Quarantine, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

PART 78--BRUCELLOSIS

0
Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 78 and that was published at 72 FR 
40062-40064 on July 23, 2007.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of November 2007.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23254 Filed 11-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P