[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15334-15335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7776]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 01-062-2]


Change in Disease Status of the Czech Republic Because of BSE

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 regulations by adding the Czech Republic to the 
list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists because 
the disease has been detected in native-born animals in that region. 
The Czech Republic had already been listed among the regions that 
present an undue risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
into the United States, so the effect of the interim rule was a 
continued restriction on the importation of ruminants that have been in 
the Czech Republic and meat, meat products, and certain other products 
of ruminants that have been in the Czech Republic. The interim rule was 
necessary in order to update the disease status of the Czech Republic 
regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on June 8, 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 June 8, 2001, and published in the 
Federal Register on December 4, 2001 (66 FR 62913, Docket No. 01-062-
1), we amended the regulations in 9 CFR part 94 by adding the Czech 
Republic to the list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
(BSE) exists. The Czech Republic 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 
native-born animals in that region, the interim rule was necessary to 
update the disease status of the Czech Republic regarding BSE.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before

[[Page 15335]]

February 4, 2002. 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, AND BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY: PROHIBITED AND 
RESTRICTED IMPORTATIONS

    Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the 
interim rule amending 9 CFR part 94 that was published at 66 FR 62913 
on December 4, 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 26th day of March 2002.
W. Ron DeHaven,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7776 Filed 3-29-02; 8:45 am]
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