[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65935-65936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27572]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 78

[Docket No. APHIS-2011-0005]


Brucellosis in Swine; Add Texas to List of Validated Brucellosis-
Free States

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 brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate 
movement of swine by adding Texas to the list of validated brucellosis-
free States. The interim rule was necessary to relieve certain 
restrictions on interstate movement of breeding swine from Texas.

DATES: Effective on October 25, 2011, we are adopting as a final rule 
the interim rule published at 76 FR 28885-28886 on May 19, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Troy Bigelow, Swine Health 
Programs, Aquaculture, Swine, Equine, and Poultry Programs, National 
Center for Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 210 Walnut Street Room 
891, Des Moines, IA 50309; (515) 284-4121.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by bacteria of the genus 
Brucella. The disease mainly affects cattle, bison, and swine, but 
goats, sheep, horses, and even humans are susceptible. In its principal 
animal hosts, it causes loss of young through spontaneous abortion or 
birth of weak offspring, reduced milk production, and infertility. 
There is no economically feasible treatment for brucellosis in 
livestock. In humans, brucellosis initially causes flu-like symptoms, 
but the disease may develop into a variety of chronic conditions, 
including arthritis. Humans can be treated for brucellosis with 
antibiotics.
    In an interim rule \1\ effective and published in the Federal 
Register on May 19, 2011 (76 FR 28885-28886, Docket No. APHIS-2011-
0005), we amended the brucellosis regulations in 9 CFR part 78 by 
adding Texas to the list of validated brucellosis-free States in Sec.  
78.43. That action relieved certain

[[Page 65936]]

restrictions on the interstate movement of breeding swine from Texas.
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    \1\ To view the interim rule and the comment we received, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0005.
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    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before July 18, 2011. We received one comment by that date. The 
comment, from a State animal health agency, 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 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 76 FR 
28885-28886 on May 19, 2011.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of October 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27572 Filed 10-24-11; 8:45 am]
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