[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 9188] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 02-4844] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 94 [Docket No. 01-065-2] Change in Disease Status of Greece Because of BSE 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 regulations by adding Greece to the list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists because the disease had been detected in a native-born animal in that region. Greece had been listed among the regions that present an undue risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United States. The effect of the interim rule was a continued restriction on the importation of ruminants that have been in Greece and meat, meat products, and certain other products of ruminants that have been in Greece. The interim rule was necessary in order to update the disease status of Greece regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy. EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on July 2, 2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donna Malloy, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Center for Import and Export, Products Program, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-3277. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In an interim rule effective July 2, 2001, and published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2001 (66 FR 54642-54643, Docket No. 01- 065-1), we amended the regulations by adding Greece to the list in Sec. 94.18(a)(1) of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is known to exist. Greece 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 Greece regarding BSE. Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before December 31, 2001. We did not receive any comments. 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 the review process required by 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, ANDBOVINE 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 66 FR 54642-54643 on October 30, 2001. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7711, 7712, 7713, 7714, 7751, and 7754; 19 U.S.C. 1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 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 22nd day of February, 2002. W. Ron DeHaven, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 02-4844 Filed 2-27-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-U