[Federal Register: July 11, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 133)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 45896]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jy02-2]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 01-131-2]

 
Change in Disease Status of Finland 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 Finland to the list of 
regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists because the 
disease had been detected in a native-born animal in that region. 
Finland had already been listed among the regions that presents 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, meat, meat products, and 
certain other products of ruminants that have been in Finland. The 
interim rule was necessary in order to update the disease status of 
Finland regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule became effective on December 7, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Gary Colgrove, Chief Staff 
Veterinarian, Sanitary Issues Management Staff, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 734-4356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In an interim rule effective December 7, 2001, and published in the 
Federal Register on March 20, 2002 (67 FR 12831-12832, Docket No. 01-
131-1), we amended the regulations in 9 CFR part 94 by adding Finland 
to the list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) 
exists. Finland 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 Finland regarding BSE.
    Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or 
before May 20, 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 its review under 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 that amended 9 CFR part 94 and that was published at 67 FR 
12831-12832 on March 20, 2002.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7711-7714, 7751, 7754, 8303, 8306, 
8308, 8310, 8311, and 8315; 21 U.S.C. 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 5th day of July 2002.
Richard L. Dunkle,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17433 Filed 7-10-02; 8:45 am]
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