Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Louisiana

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 concerning the interstate movement of cattle by changing the classification of Louisiana from Class A to Class Free. We have determined that Louisiana meets the standards for Class Free status. The interim rule relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Louisiana.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

The interim rule became effective on July 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Valerie Ragan, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-7708.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In an interim rule effective July 27, 2000, and published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2000 (65 FR 47653-47654, Docket No. 99-052-1), we amended the brucellosis regulations in 9 CFR part 78 by removing Louisiana from the list of Class A States in § 78.41(b) and adding it to the list of Class Free States in § 78.41(a). That action relieved certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle from Louisiana.

Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before October 2, 2000. 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 Orders 12372 and 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 78

• Animal diseases
• Bison
• Cattle
• Hogs
• Quarantine
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Transportation

PART 78—BRUCELLOSIS

Accordingly, we are adopting as a final rule, without change, the interim rule that amended 9 CFR part 78 and that was published at 65 FR 47653-47654 on August 3, 2000.

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-114a-1, 114g, 115, 117, 120, 121, 123-126, 134b, and 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.