Federal Register: September 24, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 184)
DOCID: fr24se09-26 FR Doc E9-23129
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket ID: [Docket No. APHIS-2009-0005]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr24se09-26
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Hungary
DATES: Effective Date: This determination will be effective on October 9, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
We are advising the public of our determination regarding the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 status of Hungary following outbreaks in 2006 and 2007. Based on our evaluation of the animal health status of two counties (B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d) in Hungary, which we made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, the Administrator has determined that the importation of live birds, poultry carcasses, parts or products of poultry carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, and other birds from Hungary presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.
SUMMARY:
Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Hungary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Background
On June 15, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR
2821728218) a notice 1A\1\ in which we announced the availability for
review and comment of an evaluation of the animal health status of two
counties (B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d) in Hungary relative
to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1. In the
evaluation, titled ``APHIS' Evaluation of the Status of High
Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Hungary'' (November 2008),
we presented the results of our evaluation of the prevalence of HPAI
H5N1 in domestic poultry in the two counties in light of the actions
taken by Hungary's Department for Food Chain Safety and Animal Health (DFCSAH) during and since the outbreaks of HPAI
[[Page 48712]]
H5N1 that occurred in these two counties in 2006 and 2007.
\1\ To view the notice and the evaluation, go to http:// www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/
main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS20090005.
Our evaluation concluded that both counties (B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d) had adequate detection and control measures in place at the time of the outbreaks, that they have been able to effectively control and eradicate HPAI H5N1 in their domestic poultry populations since that time, and that Hungary's DFCSAH has control measures in place to rapidly identify, control, and eradicate the disease should it be reintroduced into Hungary in either wild birds or domestic poultry.
In our June 2009 notice we stated that if, after the end of the
comment period, we could identify no additional risk factors that would indicate that domestic poultry in B[aacute]csKiskun and
Csongr[aacute]d Counties continue to be affected with HPAI H5N1, we
would conclude that the importation of live birds, poultry carcasses,
parts of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry,
game birds, or other birds from Hungary presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.
We solicited comments on the notice for 30 days ending on July 15, 2009. We received no comments during the comment period.
Therefore, we are removing our prohibition on the importation of these products from Hungary into the United States. Specifically:
However, live birds from B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d Counties in Hungary are still subject to the portofentry inspections and postimportation quarantines set forth in 9 CFR part 93, unless granted an exemption by the Administrator or destined for diagnostic purposes and accompanied by a limited permit.
Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of September 2009. Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E923129 Filed 92309; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341034P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. Javier Vargas, Case Manager, Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737 1231; (301) 7340756.