The Federal Register

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Classical Swine Fever Status of Chile

Mon, Nov 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of live swine, pork, and pork products from Chile.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Spring Viremia of Carp; Import Restrictions

Mon, Nov 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Water Hyacinth

Mon, Nov 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of an insect, Megamelus scutellaris, into the continental United States for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of water hyacinth infestations. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Montana

Thu, Nov 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

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 Montana from Class A to Class Free. We determined that Montana met the standards for Class Free status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Montana.

User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services

Wed, Nov 4 2009 11:00:00 GMT

This document withdraws the interim rule published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2009, adjusting the user fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the United States. That interim rule was originally scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2009, but on October 2, 2009, we published in the Federal Register a second document delaying the effective date until November 1, 2009. We have now decided to withdraw the interim rule in order to explore other regulatory alternatives.

Importation of Tomatoes From Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco

Mon, Nov 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations to allow the importation of commercial consignments of tomatoes from the SoussMassaDraa region of Morocco subject to a systems approach similar to that which is already in place for tomatoes imported into the United States from other areas within Morocco. The tomatoes will have to be produced under conditions that include requirements for pest exclusion at the production site, fruit fly trapping inside the production site, and pestexclusionary packinghouse procedures. The tomatoes will also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Moroccan national plant protection organization with an additional declaration stating that the tomatoes have been grown in registered pest exclusionary structures in the SoussMassaDraa region and were pink at the time of packing. This action will allow for the importation of commercial consignments of tomatoes from the SoussMassaDraa region of Morocco into the United States while continuing to provide p

User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services;

Fri, Oct 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are informing the public of an upcoming meeting to address affected stakeholders' questions and concerns regarding the agricultural quarantine and inspection user fee increases scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2009. The meeting is being organized by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Citrus Canker; Movement of Fruit From Quarantined Areas

Thu, Oct 22 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the citrus canker regulations to modify the conditions under which fruit may be moved interstate from a quarantined area. We are eliminating the requirement that each lot of finished fruit be inspected at the packinghouse and found to be free of visible symptoms of citrus canker and removing the current prohibition on the movement of fruit from a quarantined area to commercial citrus producing States. We are continuing to require fruit moved interstate from a quarantined area to be treated with an approved disinfectant and to be packed in a commercial packinghouse that operates under a compliance agreement. These changes will relieve some restrictions on the interstate movement of fresh citrus fruit from quarantined areas while maintaining conditions that will prevent the artificial spread of citrus canker.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Cut Flowers from Countries with

Wed, Oct 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Untreated Oranges, Tangerines, and

Wed, Oct 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the transit of untreated oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit from Mexico through the United States to other foreign countries.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Nursery Stock

Wed, Oct 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Amendments to Treatments for Sweet Cherry and Citrus Fruit from Australia and Irradiation Dose for Mediterranean

Mon, Oct 19 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the regulations pertaining to approved phytosanitary treatments of fruits and vegetables by adding new treatment schedules for sweet cherries and for certain species of citrus fruit imported from Australia into the United States. Based on our treatment evaluation, we have determined that the proposed treatments would be effective against Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly, pests associated with sweet cherries and citrus fruit from Australia. We also propose to establish an approved irradiation dose for Mediterranean fruit fly of 100 gray, which is lower than the generic dose of 150 gray that is approved for all fruit flies. New peerreviewed data indicate that the 100 gray irradiation dose will neutralize Mediterranean fruit fly. These changes would offer more flexibility in treatments while continuing to prevent the introduction or interstate movement of quarantine pests.

Notice of Availability of a Bovine Brucellosis Program Concept Paper

Mon, Oct 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making a concept paper describing a new direction for the bovine brucellosis program available for public review and comment. The cooperative FederalStateindustry effort to eradicate bovine brucellosis from cattle in the United States has made significant progress since the program's inception in 1934. However, unique challenges impede eradication. The concept paper we are making available presents our current thinking about changes we are planning to address these challenges.

Notice of Availability of a Bovine Tuberculosis Program Concept Paper

Mon, Oct 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making a concept paper describing a new direction for the bovine tuberculosis program available for public review and comment. The cooperative FederalStateindustry effort to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from cattle in the United States has made significant progress since the program's inception in 1917. However, several challenges impede eradication. The concept paper we are making available presents our current thinking about changes we are considering for the bovine tuberculosis to address these challenges.

User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services

Fri, Oct 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

On September 28, 2009, we published an interim rule in the Federal Register to adjust the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services that are provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the United States. That interim rule was scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2009. We are delaying the effective date of the interim rule until November 1, 2009. This delay will provide entities affected by the changes in AQI user fees additional time to make the necessary preparations to comply with the new fees.

Submission of Itineraries

Thu, Oct 1 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations to include more specific requirements in the regulations concerning the submission of itineraries by any person who is subject to the Animal Welfare Act regulations and who intends to exhibit any animal at any location other than the person's approved site(s). We believe APHIS' inspectors' access to animals, facilities, and records for unannounced inspections when animals are exhibited at a location other than at a regulated person's approved site(s) is necessary to improve compliance with the regulations and the Animal Welfare Act.

Commuted Traveltime

Mon, Sep 28 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations concerning overtime services provided by employees of the Agency's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program by adding or amending commuted traveltime allowances for travel between certain locations in the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, and Minnesota. Commuted traveltime allowances are the periods of time required for PPQ employees to travel from their dispatch points and return there from the places where they perform Sunday, holiday, or other overtime duty. The Government charges a fee for certain overtime services provided by PPQ employees and, under certain circumstances, the fee may include the cost of commuted traveltime. This action is necessary to inform the public of commuted traveltime for these locations.

User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services

Mon, Sep 28 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the user fee regulations by adjusting the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services that are provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the United States. The recent downturn in the U.S. economy has negatively impacted travel volumes, and, as a result, our user fee collections, which fund these services, have diminished. Although the volume of international travel and trade has decreased, inspection and related support services continue to be provided at their existing levels, so expenses have not decreased. As a result, our user fee collections have not been sufficient to enable us to provide those services and maintain a reasonable reserve balance. We are therefore increasing our AQI user fees in order to provide adequate funds for these purposes.

Fiscal Year 2010 Veterinary Import/Export User Fees and Veterinary Diagnostic Services User Fees

Mon, Sep 28 2009 11:00:00 GMT

This notice pertains to user fees charged for import- and exportrelated services that we provide for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors and for certain veterinary diagnostic services. The purpose of this notice is to remind the public of the user fees for fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010).

Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Hungary

Thu, Sep 24 2009 11:00:00 GMT

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.

Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations; New Mexico

Wed, Sep 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the bovine tuberculosis regulations by establishing two separate zones with different tuberculosis risk classifications for the State of New Mexico. Prior to the interim rule, the entire State of New Mexico had been classified as modified accredited advanced; however, all its affected herds were located in Curry and Roosevelt Counties, NM, along the State's eastern border. The interim rule was necessary to relieve restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from areas of New Mexico outside those two counties.

Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Saxony, Germany

Wed, Sep 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public of our determination regarding the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 status of Saxony, Germany, following an outbreak in 2008. Based on our assessment of the animal health status of Saxony, Germany, 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 Saxony, Germany, presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.

Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Suffolk and Norfolk Counties

Wed, Sep 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public of our determination regarding the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 status of Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, following outbreaks in 2007. Based on an evaluation of the animal health status of Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, 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 Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.

Pine Shoot Beetle; Additions to Quarantined Areas

Mon, Sep 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the pine shoot beetle regulations by adding the entire State of Ohio and counties in Maine and Indiana to the list of quarantined areas. We are taking this action following the detection of pine shoot beetle in those areas. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of pine shoot beetle, a pest of pine trees, into noninfested areas of the United States.

Regulation of the Interstate Movement of Lemons From an Area Quarantined for Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Mon, Sep 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the list of regulated articles in our domestic fruit fly quarantine regulations. The regulations currently indicate that smoothskinned lemons (all varieties of Citrus limon) harvested for packing by commercial packinghouses are not regulated articles for Mediterranean fruit fly. We are proposing to amend the regulations to designate all yellow lemons as regulated articles. This proposed change is based on research indicating that, under certain conditions, yellow lemons are a host for Mediterranean fruit fly. As a result of this proposed action, yellow lemons produced in an area quarantined for Mediterranean fruit fly would be subject to certain interstate movement restrictions in order to prevent the spread of that pest into uninfested areas of the United States.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine

Tue, Sep 15 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for permanent, privately owned horse quarantine facilities.

Determination of Pest-Free Areas in the Republic of South Africa; Request for Comments

Tue, Sep 15 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are extending the comment period for our notice that would recognize 16 additional magisterial districts in 3 provinces as pest free areas for citrus black spot in the Republic of South Africa. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Introduction of Organisms and Products

Tue, Sep 8 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the introduction of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Mangoes From India

Tue, Sep 8 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Unshu Oranges From the

Wed, Sep 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Implementation of Revised Lacey Act Provisions

Wed, Sep 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. The declaration requirements of the Lacey Act became effective on December 15, 2008, and enforcement of those requirements is being phased in. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the Federal Government's revised plan to phase in enforcement of the declaration requirement and other implementation plans.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fruit From Thailand

Tue, Sep 1 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Wood Packaging Material Used in Domestic Commerce

Thu, Aug 27 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are soliciting public comment on regulatory options that could be applied to wood packaging material (e.g., crates, dunnage, wooden spools, pallets, packing blocks) used in domestic commerce to decrease the risk of the artificial spread of plant pests such as the emerald ash borer and the Asian longhorned beetle. These and other plant pests that could be transported interstate by wood packaging material pose a serious threat to U.S. agriculture and to natural, cultivated, and urban forests. We are also announcing our intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on various potential pest mitigation measures and opening a public scoping period for this document.

Notice of Availability of Biotechnology Quality Management System Pilot Project Draft Audit Standard

Mon, Aug 24 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are reopening the comment period on the draft audit standard developed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for its Biotechnology Quality Management System pilot project. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments. The Biotechnology Quality Management System is a voluntary compliance assistance program designed to help stakeholders develop sound management practices, thus enhancing compliance with the regulatory requirements for environmental releases and movements of regulated articles in accordance with 7 CFR part 340.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Products of Poultry and

Tue, Aug 11 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations restricting the importation of products of poultry and birds into the United States in order to prevent the introduction of poultry disease.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Live Swine, Pork and Pork

Tue, Aug 11 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Tuberculosis Testing of Imported Cattle

Tue, Aug 11 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Fruits and

Tue, Aug 11 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to revise an information collection associated with regulations to allow importation of certain fruits and vegetables into the United States and to request extension of approval of the information collection.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and Regulations

Fri, Aug 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Revision and Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Plant Pest, Noxious Weed, and

Fri, Aug 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to revise an information collection associated with plant pest, noxious weed, and garbage regulations and to request an extension of approval of the information collection.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Irradiation Phytosanitary Treatment of

Fri, Aug 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment of imported fruits and vegetables.

National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions; Technical Amendment

Mon, Aug 3 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2009 (74 FR 1471014719, Docket No. APHIS20070042), and effective on May 1, 2009, we amended the National Poultry Improvement Plan (the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by providing new or modified sampling and testing procedures for Plan participants and participating flocks. In that final rule, we amended the U.S. Avian Influenza Clean program for multiplier meattype chicken breeding flocks to require that 15 birds be tested to retain the classification, rather than 30. However, our amendatory instruction accomplishing this change also amended the program to require multiplier spent fowl to be tested within 15 days prior to movement to slaughter, rather than 30 days. We had intended to retain the 30day requirement. This document corrects that error.

Determination of Pest-Free Areas in the Republic of South Africa; Request for Comments

Mon, Jul 27 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that we have received a request from the Government of the Republic of South Africa to recognize 16 additional magisterial districts in 3 provinces as pestfree areas for citrus black spot. After reviewing the documentation submitted in support of this request, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that these areas meet the criteria in our regulations for recognition as pestfree areas. We are making that determination, as well as an evaluation document we have prepared in connection with this action, available for review and comment.

Standards for Permanent, Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities

Thu, Jul 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations pertaining to the importation of horses to establish standards for the approval of permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses. We are taking this action because regional and seasonal demand for quarantine services for horses often exceeds the space available at existing facilities. Allowing imported horses to be quarantined in permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities that meet the criteria established in this rule will facilitate the importation of horses while continuing to protect against the introduction of communicable diseases of horses.

Movement of Hass Avocados From Areas Where Mexican Fruit Fly or Sapote Fruit Fly Exist

Tue, Jun 30 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations to relieve certain restrictions regarding the movement of Hass variety avocados. Specifically, we are amending our domestic quarantine regulations to provide for the interstate movement, with a certificate, of Hass avocados from areas in the United States quarantined for Mexican fruit fly or sapote fruit fly, provided that the fruit is safeguarded after harvest in accordance with specific measures. We are also amending our foreign quarantine regulations to remove trapping and bait spray treatment requirements related to Anastrepha spp. fruit flies for imported Hass avocados from Michoacan, Mexico. These actions are warranted in light of research demonstrating the limited host status of Hass avocados to various species of fruit flies in the genus Anastrepha, including Mexican fruit fly and sapote fruit fly. By amending both our domestic and foreign quarantine regulations, we are making them consistent with each other and relieving restrictions for Mexican Hass av

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Poultry 2010

Tue, Jun 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to initiate an information collection to support the National Animal Health Monitoring System; Poultry 2010 Study.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Beetle Busters Survey; Asian Longhorned

Tue, Jun 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Asian longhorned beetle cooperative eradication program.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Certification Program for Imported Articles

Tue, Jun 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for a certification program for imported articles of Pelargonium spp. and Solanum spp. to prevent the introduction of potato brown rot into the United States.

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Monitoring System; Catfish 2010

Tue, Jun 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Hungary

Mon, Jun 15 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an evaluation of the animal health status of two counties (B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d) in Hungary relative to the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The evaluation presents our assessment of the HPAI H5N1 detection, control, and eradication measures in place in those two counties in Hungary during outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in 2006 and 2007. If, after the close of the comment period, APHIS can identify no additional risk factors that would indicate that domestic poultry in these two 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 B[aacute]csKiskun and Csongr[aacute]d Counties in Hungary presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.

Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Saxony,

Fri, Jun 12 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an evaluation of the animal health status of Saxony, Germany, relative to the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The evaluation presents our assessment of the HPAI H5N1 detection, control, and eradication measures in place in Saxony, Germany, during an outbreak of HPAI in 2008, as well as our assessment of the present status of Saxony, Germany, with respect to HPAI subtype H5N1. We are making this evaluation available to the public for review and comment. If, after the close of the comment period, APHIS can identify no additional risk factors that would indicate that domestic poultry in Saxony, Germany, 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 the affected region of Saxony, Germany, presents a low risk of introd

Karnal Bunt; Regulated Areas

Wed, Jun 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Correction

In rule document E913051 beginning on page 26774 in the issue of Thursday, June 4, 2009, make the following correction:

Sec. 301.893 [Corrected]

On page 26776, in Sec. 301.8903(g), in the third column, in the tenth line from the bottom of the page, ``1114.687198'' should read ``114.687198''
[FR Doc. Z913051 Filed 6909; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 150501D

Update of Noxious Weed Regulations

Wed, Jun 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to make several changes to the regulations governing the importation and interstate movement of noxious weeds. We would add definitions of terms used in the regulations, add details regarding the process of applying for the permits used to import or move noxious weeds, add a requirement for the treatment of niger seed, and add provisions for petitioning to add a taxon to or remove a taxon from the noxious weed lists. These changes would update the regulations to reflect current statutory authority and program operations and improve the effectiveness of the regulations. We are also proposing to add seven taxa to the list of terrestrial noxious weeds and to the list of seeds with no tolerances applicable to their introduction. This action would prevent the introduction or dissemination of these noxious weeds into or within the United States.

South American Cactus Moth; Quarantine and Regulations

Mon, Jun 8 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the domestic quarantine regulations to establish regulations to restrict the interstate movement of South American cactus moth host material, including nursery stock and plant parts for consumption, from infested areas of the United States. This action is intended to help prevent the artificial spread of South American cactus moth into noninfested areas of the United States.

Notice of Determination of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Germany and Poland

Fri, Jun 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public of our determination regarding the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 status of Germany and Poland following outbreaks in 2006 and 2007. Based on assessments of the animal health status of the two countries, 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 either Germany (except Saxony, Germany) or Poland presents a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 into the United States.

Karnal Bunt; Regulated Areas

Thu, Jun 4 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the Karnal bunt regulations to remove certain areas or fields in Riverside County, CA, from the list of regulated areas based on our determination that those areas or fields meet our criteria for release from regulation of Karnal bunt, a fungal disease of wheat. This action is needed to relieve restrictions on certain areas or fields that are no longer necessary.

Notice of Availability of Biotechnology Quality Management System Pilot Project Draft Audit Standard

Thu, Jun 4 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking comments on the draft audit standard developed for its Biotechnology Quality Management System pilot project. The Biotechnology Quality Management System is a voluntary compliance assistance program designed to help regulated entities develop sound management practices, thus enhancing compliance with the regulatory requirements for environmental releases and movements of regulated articles in accordance with 7 CFR part 340.

Importation of Eggplant From Israel

Wed, Jun 3 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation into the continental United States of commercial consignments of fresh eggplant from Israel. As a condition of entry, the eggplant must be grown under a systems approach that includes requirements for pest exclusion at the production site, fruit fly trapping inside and outside the production site, and pestexcluding packinghouse procedures. The eggplant must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Israeli national plant protection organization with an additional declaration confirming that the eggplants have been produced in accordance with those requirements. This action will allow for the importation of commercial consignments of fresh eggplant from Israel into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.

Importation of Longan From Taiwan

Wed, May 20 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations to allow the importation of commercial shipments of fresh longan with stems from Taiwan into the United States. As a condition of entry, the longan will be subject to cold treatment and special portofarrival inspection procedures for certain quarantine pests. In addition, the fruit will have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that the fruit was inspected and found to be free of certain quarantine pests, and the individual cartons or boxes in which the longan are shipped will be stamped or printed with a statement prohibiting their importation into or distribution in the State of Florida. This action will allow for the importation of commercial shipments of fresh longan with stems from Taiwan into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States.

Importation of Cattle From Mexico; Addition of Port at San Luis, AZ; Correction

Tue, May 12 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are correcting an error in the amendatory language in our final rule that added the port of San Luis, AZ, as a port through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tickborne diseases may be imported into the United States and that removed provisions that limit the admission of cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tickborne diseases to the State of Texas. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2009.

Notice of Availability of an Evaluation of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Suffolk and

Thu, May 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an evaluation of the animal health status of Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, relative to the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The evaluation presents our assessment of the HPAI H5N1 detection, control, and eradication measures in place in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, during outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in 2007, as well as our assessment of the present status of Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, England, with respect to HPAI subtype H5N1. We are making this evaluation available to the public for review and comment. If, after the close of the comment period, APHIS can identify no additional risk factors that would indicate that domestic poultry in Suffolk and Norfolk Counties in England 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

Pale Cyst Nematode; Quarantine and Regulations

Wed, Apr 29 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are adopting as a final rule, with two changes, an interim rule that amended the regulations by quarantining parts of Bingham and Bonneville Counties, ID, due to the discovery of the potato cyst nematode there and establishing restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined area. As amended by this document, the rule refers to the nematode of concern, Globodera pallida, by the common name ``pale cyst nematode'' rather than by the name ``potato cyst nematode;'' allows the movement of Phaseolus spp. (beans) and Pisum spp. (peas) under the same conditions that apply to the movement of other crops to which soil is often attached; and requires that a protocol approved by the Administrator as sufficient to support removal of infested fields from quarantine, rather than a 3 year biosurvey protocol, be completed in order to remove an infested field from quarantine. We are also making minor, nonsubstantive changes. These actions will prevent the spread of the pale cy

Importation of Table Eggs From Regions Where Exotic Newcastle Disease Exists

Wed, Apr 22 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations to modify the requirements concerning the importation of eggs (other than hatching eggs) from regions where exotic Newcastle disease (END) exists. This action is necessary to provide a more efficient and equally effective testing option for determining the END status of flocks producing eggs (other than hatching eggs) for export to the United States.

Import/Export User Fees; Correction

Tue, Apr 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are correcting an error in the rule portion of a final rule that amended the regulations concerning user fees for import and exportrelated services that we provide for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on March 30, 2009, and is effective on April 29, 2009.

National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions; Correcting Amendment

Tue, Apr 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2009 (74 FR 1471014719, Docket No. APHIS20070042), and effective on May 1, 2009, we amended the National Poultry Improvement Plan (the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by providing new or modified sampling and testing procedures for Plan participants and participating flocks. In that final rule, we amended a section in the Plan to include additional tests for avian influenza, but we neglected to amend the heading of that section to indicate that it now contains some tests that are not blood tests. This document corrects that error.

Importation of Papaya From Colombia and Ecuador

Tue, Apr 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of fresh papaya from Colombia and Ecuador into the continental United States. The conditions for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador include requirements for approved production locations; field sanitation; hot water treatment; procedures for packing and shipping the papayas; and fruit fly trapping in papaya production areas. This action would allow for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of injurious plant pests into the continental United States.

Interstate Movement of Sheep and Goats

Wed, Apr 15 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Correction

In rule document E97233 beginning on page 14703 in the issue of Wednesday, April 1, 2009, make the following correction:

On page 14706, TABLE 1SHEEP AND GOATS: IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, 2007 should be corrected as follows:
Table 1Sheep and Goats: Imports and Exports, 2007 Imports Exports
Item Value in Value in Numbers millions Numbers millions Sheep........................................... 92 $0.058 116,618 $8.148 Goats........................................... 33 0.010 9,231 0.597

Total.......................................

Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002; Biennial Review and Republication of the Select Agent and Toxin

Mon, Apr 13 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In a final rule published in the Federal Register on October 16, 2008 (73 FR 6132561332, Docket No. APHIS20070033), and effective November 17, 2008, we amended and republished the list of select agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products, thus implementing the findings of the second biennial review of that list. Among other changes, we changed the entry for ``Newcastle disease virus (velogenic)'' to read ``virulent Newcastle disease virus,'' thus including some nonvelogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus as select agents. The final rule set the compliance date for entities that were newly required to register as entities possessing select agents or toxins as April 14, 2009. Since the publication of the final rule, we have been notified of entities that use virulent Newcastle disease virus and that have not previously been registered. This notice informs the public that we are extending the compliance date for n

Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms

Mon, Apr 13 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is holding an issuefocused public meeting on April 29 and 30, 2009, on its proposed rule, ``Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms.'' The April 2009 issue meeting will provide an opportunity for interested persons to discuss in a collaborative forum the key concerns that were raised during the comment period on the proposed rule with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and with one another.

Potato Cyst Nematode; Update of Quarantined Areas

Fri, Apr 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that we have made changes to the area in the State of Idaho that is quarantined to prevent the spread of potato cyst nematode. The description of the quarantined area was updated on December 9, 2008, when 20 fields were removed from the quarantined area, and on January 14, 2009, when 17 additional fields were removed from the quarantined area.

Citrus Canker; Interstate Movement of Regulated Nursery Stock From Quarantined Areas

Thu, Apr 9 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are adopting as a final rule, with one change, an interim rule that amended the citrus canker regulations to explicitly prohibit, with limited exceptions, the interstate movement of regulated nursery stock from a quarantined area. The interim rule provided two exceptions to this prohibition, one that allowed nursery stock to be moved interstate for immediate export under certain conditions and another that allowed calamondin and kumquat plants to be moved interstate in accordance with a protocol designed to ensure their freedom from citrus canker. Our decision to provide for the interstate movement of calamondin and kumquat plants was based on their apparent resistance to citrus canker infection. However, since the publication of the interim rule, we have confirmed that 47 calamondin plants growing in an area quarantined for citrus canker were infected with the disease. Therefore, this final rule amends the protocol to exclude calamondin plants. The interim rule was necessary to clarify our

Importation of Wooden Handicrafts From China

Thu, Apr 9 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the regulations to provide for the importation of wooden handicrafts from China under certain conditions. From 2002 to 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) issued more than 300 emergency action notices and conducted national recalls to remove infested Chineseorigin wooden handicrafts from the U.S. marketplace. In 2005, APHIS suspended the importation of certain Chinese wooden handicrafts until we could more fully analyze the pest risks associated with those articles. Based on the evidence in a recent pest risk analysis, APHIS has determined that these articles can be safely imported from China, provided certain conditions are met. This action would allow for trade in Chinese wooden handicrafts to resume while continuing to protect the United States against the introduction of plant pests.

Importation of Sweet Oranges and Grapefruit From Chile

Tue, Apr 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation, under certain conditions, of sweet oranges and grapefruit from Chile into the continental United States. Based on the evidence in a recent pest risk analysis, we believe these articles can be safely imported from all provinces of Chile, provided certain conditions are met. This action provides for the importation of sweet oranges and grapefruit from Chile into the continental United States while continuing to protect the United States against the introduction of plant pests.

Revision of the Hawaiian and Territorial Fruits and Vegetables Regulations; Technical Amendment

Tue, Apr 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2009 (74 FR 27702786, Docket No. APHIS20070052), and effective on February 17, 2009, we revised the regulations governing the interstate movement of fruits and vegetables from Hawaii and the territories. Those regulations do not apply to articles whose interstate movement is regulated under the subpart governing the interstate movement of soil, sand, earth, and plants in growing media from Hawaii and the territories; we neglected to indicate that in the final rule. In this amendment, we are amending the regulations to clearly indicate that the interstate movement of soil, sand, earth, and plants in growing media is governed by the regulations specific to those articles.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Tuberculosis

Mon, Apr 6 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Horse Protection Regulations

Mon, Apr 6 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Peer Reviewer's Certification Regarding

Mon, Apr 6 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection related to peer review of scientific information disseminated to the public by the Agency.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Specimen Submission

Mon, Apr 6 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Swine Health Protection; Feeding of Processed Product to Swine

Fri, Apr 3 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the swine health protection regulations to clarify the applicability of the regulations regarding the treatment of garbage that consists of industrially processed materials. This interim rule makes clear that such materials are subject to the same treatment requirements as other regulated garbage, except for materials that meet the definition of processed product that we are adding to the regulations. This action is necessary to ensure that garbage fed to swine has been treated to inactivate disease organisms that pose a risk to the U.S. swine industry.

Interstate Movement of Sheep and Goats

Wed, Apr 1 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations regarding the interstate movement of animals to add sheep and goats to the approved livestock facility agreement. Livestock facilities that handle sheep and goats in interstate commerce must meet the requirements for approval including complying with this agreement to utilize certain provisions in our scrapie regulations that reduce the movement requirements for sheep and goats moving to or from these establishments. Such facilities may include stockyards, livestock markets, buying stations, concentration points, or any other premises where sheep and goats in interstate commerce are assembled. Our approval will be contingent on the facility operator meeting certain minimum standards and other conditions related to the receipt, handling, and release of sheep and goats at the facility, as well as complying with certain animal identification and recordkeeping requirements. These standards and other conditions will serve, in part, to support our regulations relating

National Poultry Improvement Plan and Auxiliary Provisions

Wed, Apr 1 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the National Poultry Improvement Plan (the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by providing new or modified sampling and testing procedures for Plan participants and participating flocks. The changes were voted on and approved by the voting delegates at the Plan's 2006 National Plan Conference. These changes will keep the provisions of the Plan current with changes in the poultry industry and provide for the use of new sampling and testing procedures.

Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose

Tue, Mar 31 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing further amendments that would establish a herd certification program to eliminate chronic wasting disease from farmed or captive cervids in the United States. Under the 2006 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) rule, participating deer, elk, and moose herds would have to follow CWD Herd Certification Program requirements for animal identification, testing, herd management, and movement of animals into and from herds. This document proposes additional changes to the program regarding recognition of State bans on the entry of farmed or captive cervids for reasons unrelated to CWD, the number of years an animal must be monitored for CWD before it may move interstate, interstate movement of cervids that originated from herds in proximity to a CWD outbreak, herd inventory procedures, and several other matters. These actions are intended to help eliminate CWD from the farmed or captive cervid herds in the United States.

Change in Disease Status of the Republic of Korea With Regard to Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest

Mon, Mar 30 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the regulations to add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are considered free of rinderpest and footandmouth disease (FMD). We are taking this action because we have conducted an evaluation and determined that the Republic of Korea is free of rinderpest and FMD. We are also proposing to add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are subject to certain import restrictions on meat and meat products because of their proximity to or trading relationships with rinderpest or FMDaffected countries. These actions would update the disease status of the Republic of Korea with regard to rinderpest and FMD while continuing to protect the United States from an introduction of those diseases by providing additional requirements for meat and other animal products imported into the United States from the Republic of Korea.

Import/Export User Fees

Mon, Mar 30 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations concerning user fees for import and exportrelated services that we provide for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors. We are increasing those fees for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 in order to ensure that the fees accurately reflect the anticipated costs of providing these services each year. By publishing the annual user fee changes in advance, users can incorporate the fees into their budget planning.

Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; State and Zone Designations; New Mexico

Mon, Mar 23 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the bovine tuberculosis regulations to establish two separate zones with different tuberculosis risk classifications for the State of New Mexico. The entire State of New Mexico has been classified as modified accredited advanced; however, all its affected herds are located in a small area along the State's eastern border. We have determined that New Mexico meets our requirements for zone classification. Therefore, we are removing New Mexico from the list of modified accredited advanced States, adding an area consisting of Curry and Roosevelt Counties, NM, to the list of modified accredited advanced zones, and adding the remainder of the State to the list of accreditedfree zones. This action relieves restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from these areas of New Mexico outside of the modified accredited advanced zone in two counties.

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Shelled Garden Peas From

Mon, Mar 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Importation of Tomatoes From Certain

Thu, Mar 12 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering

Wed, Mar 11 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is holding a public scoping session for issuefocused public meeting(s) to be held in April 2009 on the APHIS proposed rule, ``Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms.'' The purpose of the scoping session is to discuss with all interested parties the agenda and format for the April 2009 issue meeting(s).

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Reporting System

Tue, Mar 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; Plant Protection and Quarantine; Official Control

Tue, Mar 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request approval of an information collection associated with Federal recognition of a State's plant pest control or eradication program as an official control program.

Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Russian Thistle

Tue, Mar 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the control of Russian thistle, Salsola tragus. The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of a nonindigenous blister mite, Aceria salsolae, for the biological control of Russian thistle in the continental United States. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Yellow Starthistle

Tue, Mar 10 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared an environmental assessment relative to the control of yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae). The environmental assessment considers the effects of, and alternatives to, the release of a weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, into the environment for use as a biological control agent to reduce the severity of yellow starthistle infestations in the continental United States. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment.

Implementation of Revised Lacey Act Provisions

Tue, Feb 3 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 amended the Lacey Act to provide, among other things, that importers submit a declaration at the time of importation for certain plants and plant products. The declaration requirements of the Lacey Act became effective on December 15, 2008; however, enforcement of the declaration requirement will be phased in and will begin on April 1, 2009 (unless the implementation date must be delayed slightly for technical reasons as described below). The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the Federal Government's revised plan to phase in enforcement of the declaration requirement and other implementation plans.

Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Health Laboratory Network

Wed, Jan 21 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Revision of the Hawaiian and Territorial Fruits and Vegetables Regulations

Fri, Jan 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are revising and reorganizing the regulations pertaining to the interstate movement of fruits and vegetables from Hawaii and the territories to consolidate requirements of general applicability and eliminate redundant requirements, update terms and remove outdated requirements and references, and make various editorial and nonsubstantive changes to the regulations to make them easier to use. We are also making substantive changes to the regulations including establishing criteria within the regulations that, if met, will allow us to approve certain new fruits and vegetables for interstate movement in the United States and to acknowledge pestfree areas in Hawaii and U.S. territories expeditiously, and removing the listing in the regulations of some specific commodities as regulated articles. These changes are intended to simplify and expedite our processes for approving certain regulated articles for interstate movement and acknowledging pestfree areas while continuing to allow for public pa

Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms

Fri, Jan 16 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would revise our regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Official Animal Identification Numbering Systems

Tue, Jan 13 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the domestic livestock regulations to require that when animal identification numbers (AINs) are used, only those numbers beginning with the 840 prefix will be recognized as official for use on all AIN tags applied to animals 1 year or more after the date on which this proposed rule is finalized. In addition, we are proposing to require that all new premises identification numbers (PINs) that are issued on or after the effective date of this rule use the sevencharacter alphanumeric code format. Official eartags that use a premises based numbering system issued after a 1year phase in period will be required to use the sevencharacter alphanumeric code format as well. Further, we are proposing several changes pertaining to the use of the U.S. shield on official eartags, numbering systems that use such eartags, and the correlation of those numbering systems with the PIN. These proposed changes are intended to achieve greater standardization and uniformity of official number

Importation of Hass Avocados From Peru

Wed, Jan 7 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of Hass avocados from Peru into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, Hass avocados from Peru would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that would include requirements for importation in commercial consignments; registration and monitoring of places of production and packinghouses; grove sanitation; pestfree areas or trapping for fruit flies; surveys for the avocado seed moth; and inspection for quarantine pests by the national plant protection organization of Peru. Hass avocados from Peru would also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown, packed, and inspected and found to be free of pests in accordance with the proposed requirements. This action would allow for the importation of Hass avocados from Peru into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the i

Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Lacey Act Declaration Requirement; Plants

Mon, Jan 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection required by the Lacey Act for the importation of certain plants and plant products.

Notice of Intent To Destroy Outdated Hog Cholera Vaccine Seed Stock

Mon, Jan 5 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to destroy outdated seed virus and other materials previously used to prepare hog cholera vaccine and antiserum.

Importation of Cattle From Mexico; Addition of Port at San Luis, AZ

Fri, Jan 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are amending the regulations regarding the importation of cattle from Mexico by adding San Luis, AZ, as a port through which cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tickborne diseases may be imported into the United States. A new facility for the handling of animals is to be constructed on the Mexican side of the border at the port of San Luis, AZ, that will be equipped with facilities necessary for the proper chute inspection, dipping, and testing that are required for such cattle under the regulations. We are also amending the regulations to remove provisions that limit the admission of cattle that have been infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tickborne diseases to the State of Texas. The statutory requirement that limited the admission of those cattle to the State of Texas has been repealed. These changes will make an additional port of entry available and relieve restrictions on the movement of imported Mexican cattle within the Uni

Notice of Availability of Evaluations of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Status of Germany and

Fri, Jan 2 2009 11:00:00 GMT

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared evaluations of the animal health status of Germany and Poland relative to the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The evaluations present our evaluation of the HPAI H5N1 detection, control, and eradication measures in place in Germany and Poland during outbreaks of HPAI in 2006 and 2007, as well as our assessment of the present status of Germany and Poland with respect to HPAI subtype H5N1. We are making these evaluations available to the public for review and comment. If, after the close of the comment period, APHIS can identify no additional risk factors that would indicate that domestic poultry in Germany or Poland 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 the affected regions of Germany and Poland presents a lo