Change in Disease Status of the Republic of South Africa Because of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 98-029-1]

Change in Disease Status of the Republic of South Africa Because

of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We are proposing to declare the Republic of South Africa,

except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth

disease controlled area, free of foot-and-mouth disease. We are also

proposing to declare all of the Republic of South Africa free of

rinderpest. These proposed actions appear to be appropriate because

there have been no outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the Republic

of South Africa, except in Kruger National Park and the remainder of

the foot-and-mouth disease controlled area, since 1957, and there have

been no outbreaks of rinderpest in the Republic of South Africa since

1903. These proposed actions would relieve certain restrictions due to

foot-and-mouth disease and rinderpest on the importation into the

United States of certain live animals and animal products from all

regions of the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park

and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth disease controlled area.

However, because we consider the Republic of South Africa to be

affected with hog cholera, African swine fever, and swine vesicular

disease, and because the Republic of South Africa has certain trade

practices regarding animals and animal products that are less

restrictive than are acceptable for importation into the United States,

the importation of live swine, and meat and other products from

ruminants and swine, into the United States from the Republic of South

Africa would continue to be subject to certain restrictions.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments received on or

before April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to

Docket No. 98-029-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,

suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please

state that your comments refer to Docket No. 98-029-1. Comments

received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th

Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and

4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to

inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202)690-2817 to

facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Glen I. Garris, Supervisory Staff

Officer, Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff, National Center for

Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD

20737-1231, (301) 734-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to below as the

regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of specified animals

and animal products into the United States to help prevent the

introduction of various diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease

(FMD) and rinderpest. FMD and rinderpest are highly contagious and

destructive diseases of ruminants and swine.

Section 94.1(a) of the regulations provides that rinderpest or FMD

exists in all regions of the world except those listed in

Sec. 94.1(a)(2) as free of both of those diseases and those listed in

Sec. 94.1(a)(3) as free of rinderpest. The regulations in Sec. 94.1(b)

prohibit, with certain exceptions, the importation into the United

States of any ruminant or swine, or any fresh (chilled or frozen) meat

of any ruminant or swine, that originates from any region where

rinderpest or FMD exists, or that has entered a port in or otherwise

transited a region where rinderpest or FMD exists. Also, the

regulations in Sec. 94.2 restrict the importation of fresh (chilled or

frozen) products, other than meat, and milk and milk products of

ruminants or swine that originate in or transit a region where

rinderpest or FMD exists. Additionally, the importation of organs,

glands, extracts, and secretions of ruminants or swine originating in a

region where rinderpest or FMD exists is restricted under the

regulations in Sec. 94.3, and the importation of cured or cooked meat

from a region where rinderpest or FMD exists is restricted under the

regulations in Sec. 94.4. Finally, the regulations in 9 CFR part 98

restrict the importation of ruminant and swine embryos and animal semen

from a region where rinderpest or FMD exists.

The Government of the Republic of South Africa has requested that

the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognize the Republic of

South Africa as free of rinderpest. They have also requested that USDA

recognize the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and

the remainder of the FMD-controlled area, as free of FMD.

We will consider declaring a region free of rinderpest and FMD if,

among other things, no cases of those diseases have been reported in

the region for at least the previous 1-year period and no vaccinations

for rinderpest or FMD have been administered to ruminants or swine in

that region for at least the previous 1-year period. Rinderpest has not

been diagnosed in the Republic of South Africa since 1903, and

vaccination for rinderpest has never occurred. The last diagnosed case

of FMD, outside Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-

controlled area, occurred in 1957, and vaccination outside of Kruger

National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled area is not

allowed.

In the documentation submitted by the Government of the Republic of

South Africa and information obtained during the APHIS on-site

evaluation (described later in this document), Kruger National Park and

the remainder of the FMD-controlled area are described. Kruger National

Park is surrounded by a barbed-wire fence that is approximately 6 feet

high and patrolled by employees of the Republic of South Africa's

agriculture department. One employee is stationed every 10 kilometers

(km). At this time, the barbed-wire fence is being replaced by an

electrified fence that is approximately 8 feet high. Beyond the

[[Page 7817]]

fence, the FMD-controlled area continues. The FMD-controlled area

consists of the ``enzootic area,'' a ``surveillance area,'' and the

rest of the controlled area (which forms a third buffer between

infected areas and the free zone). The enzootic area is the innermost

area of the FMD-controlled area and is approximately 10 to 20 km wide.

Kruger National Park is within the enzootic area. The enzootic area

extends along the national boundaries of the Republic of South Africa

and Kruger National Park (see map below). Cattle and small stock

(goats, sheep, and pigs) can be found in the enzootic area. Under the

Republic of South Africa's regulations, cattle are inspected for signs

of FMD every 7 days, and goats and sheep are similarly inspected every

28 days. In the portion of the enzootic area that is outside of and

that borders Kruger National Park, all cattle, sheep, and goats are

vaccinated against FMD every 6 months. Pigs are not vaccinated or

examined in the enzootic area. However, there is no known commercial

activity involving pigs in the enzootic area. The small stock people

raise in this area are sheep and goats, and not pigs. If any pigs are

present, they are raised for personal consumption and are not likely to

be moved out of the area. Movement of animals susceptible to FMD from

the enzootic area to the rest of the controlled area or the proposed

FMD-free area of the Republic of South Africa requires written

approval, except for direct movement to slaughter. In addition,

movement of animals from the enzootic area to the surveillance area is

allowed under permit after a 14-day quarantine. Also, written approval

may be necessary under certain circumstances. Cattle moved from the

enzootic area to the surveillance area are required to be permanently

branded, except in the case of direct movement to slaughter.

The surveillance area is approximately 10 to 50 km wide; it borders

the enzootic area that adjoins Kruger National Park. Under the Republic

of South Africa's regulations, cattle in the surveillance area are

inspected for signs of FMD every 14 days, and goats and sheep are

similarly inspected every 28 days. Vaccination against FMD is not

permitted in the surveillance area. The movement of animals from the

surveillance area to the rest of the FMD-controlled area or to the

proposed FMD-free area is allowed only after a 14-day quarantine,

issuance of a permit, and written approval, in some cases. Negative

serology is also required under certain circumstances. No branded

cattle are allowed to leave the surveillance area, except for direct

movement to slaughter. However, branded cattle that are in the rest of

the controlled area or the proposed FMD-free area are subject to permit

control and may be moved only after written approval from the proper

authorities.

The rest of the controlled area is approximately 10 to 20 km wide.

This area separates the surveillance area from the rest of the Republic

of South Africa. Under the Republic of South Africa's regulations,

cattle in this area must be inspected for signs of FMD every 28 days.

Vaccination against FMD is not permitted.

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

[[Page 7818]]

Map of the FMD-Controlled Area, Including Zones

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17FE99.005

BILLING CODE 3410-34-C

[[Page 7819]]

The Republic of South Africa also provided information about its

surveillance system within the region under consideration for FMD-free

status. The Republic of South Africa has primarily a passive

surveillance system in which all cases of vesicular disease are

investigated. Control measures are followed to prevent the introduction

of FMD from Kruger National Park and bordering countries. If a case of

FMD is discovered within the region under consideration for FMD-free

status, the affected herd will be depopulated.

APHIS Review of Information

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reviewed

the documentation submitted by the Government of the Republic of South

Africa in support of its request, and a team of APHIS officials

traveled to the Republic of South Africa in May 1998 to conduct an on-

site evaluation of the Republic of South Africa's animal health program

with regard to rinderpest and FMD. The on-site evaluation consisted of

a review of the Republic of South Africa's veterinary services,

laboratory and diagnostic procedures, disease surveillance system, and

vaccination practices, and its administration of laws and regulations

to ensure that rinderpest and FMD are not introduced through the

importation of live animals, meat, and other animal products from other

regions, including Kruger National Park and the remaining FMD-

controlled area.

Livestock Demographics

The on-site evaluation also included a review of the livestock

demographics within the FMD-controlled area. Currently, cattle and

small stock are raised in the FMD-controlled area, and farmers in the

FMD-controlled area typically raise a dozen or so cattle for their

personal use and consumption and market one or more of the animals if

cash is needed. However, cattle in the FMD-controlled area are not

generally raised for commercial purposes. There are approximately

90,000 cattle in the enzootic area, and approximately 120,000 small

stock, which consists primarily of goats but also includes some sheep.

Pigs are uncommon. Small stock are raised for consumption by the owners

and not for commercial purposes.

Movement of Meat and Other Products

There are approximately 10 approved slaughter facilities within the

FMD-controlled area, and essentially all meat produced in these

facilities is consumed within the FMD-controlled area. However, the

Republic of South Africa's regulations allow cooked and cured meat,

hides, and other products prepared in the FMD-controlled area to enter

the proposed FMD-free area. Also, the Republic of South Africa's

regulations allow carcasses, meats, hides, and skins prepared in

approved slaughter facilities in the FMD-controlled area to enter the

proposed FMD-free area. In addition, carcasses and offal that do not

originate from approved slaughter facilities may be moved from the

enzootic area to the surveillance area for a person's own consumption

if the herd of origin has been inspected within the preceding 7 days

(cattle) or 28 days (small stock) or the whole carcass, head, and feet

have been inspected. Hides and skins not originating from approved

slaughter facilities may be moved from the enzootic area to any

destination under permit, and hides and skins originating from approved

slaughter facilities may be moved from the enzootic area to any

destination without a permit.

Barriers Between Regions

APHIS officials also evaluated whether the region under

consideration for FMD-free status was separated adequately by physical

or other barriers from adjacent regions of higher risk. APHIS officials

observed that the outer limits of the FMD-controlled area around Kruger

National Park, previously described in this document, are delineated by

a range of high mountains that virtually encircle the park. In

addition, the Republic of South Africa's northern boundary is rugged

and mountainous. With the exception of its border with the southernmost

portion of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa's borders are

protected by almost 3,000 km of fencing that is electrified in some

areas and topped with barbed wire. Also, some areas of the fence

consist of two or more parallel fences with coils of electrified razor

wire that run between the outer fences. The fences are maintained and

patrolled by the country's army. The portion of its boundary with

Namibia that is not fenced is too mountainous to erect a fence.

Proposed Action

Based on the documentation provided by the Government of the

Republic of South Africa and the data gathered during the on-site visit

by APHIS officials,1 we are proposing to recognize all of

the Republic of South Africa as free of rinderpest and all of the

Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the remainder

of the FMD-controlled area, as free of FMD. Accordingly, we would add

the Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the

remainder of the FMD-controlled area, to Sec. 94.1(a)(2) as a region

free of rinderpest and FMD. We would also amend Sec. 94.1(a)(3) by

listing the Republic of South Africa as a region free of rinderpest.

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\1\ A risk assessment has been prepared for this action and is

available upon written request from the person listed under FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

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These proposed actions would remove: (1) The rinderpest-based

prohibitions on the importation of live ruminants and swine and fresh

(chilled or frozen) meat from ruminants and swine from the Republic of

South Africa, and the FMD-based prohibitions on such importations from

the Republic of South Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the

remainder of the FMD-controlled area; (2) the rinderpest-based

restrictions on the importation of milk and milk products from

ruminants and swine from the Republic of South Africa, and the FMD-

based restrictions on such importations from the Republic of South

Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-

controlled area; (3) the rinderpest-based restrictions on the

importation of organs, glands, extracts, and secretions from ruminants

and swine from the Republic of South Africa, and the FMD-based

restrictions on such importations from the Republic of South Africa,

except for Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled

area; and (4) the rinderpest-based restrictions on the importation of

semen and embryos from ruminants and swine from the Republic of South

Africa, and the FMD-based restrictions on such importations from the

Republic of South Africa, except for Kruger National Park and the

remainder of the FMD-controlled area.

However, because APHIS considers the Republic of South Africa to be

affected with hog cholera, African swine fever, and swine vesicular

disease, pork and pork products from all regions of the Republic of

South Africa would remain subject to the restrictions in Sec. 94.8 for

African swine fever, Sec. 94.9 for hog cholera, and Sec. 94.12 for

swine vesicular disease. Similarly, dry cured pork products would only

be allowed importation from the Republic of South Africa in accordance

with Sec. 94.17. In addition, because of the presence of these swine

diseases, we would continue to prohibit the importation of live swine

into the United States from any part of the Republic of South Africa,

except as provided in 9 CFR part 93 for wild swine. Finally, the

importation of ruminant and swine embryos and semen

[[Page 7820]]

from the Republic of South Africa would be restricted as provided in

subparts B and C of 9 CFR part 98 due to the presence of other ruminant

and swine diseases.

We are also proposing to add the proposed FMD-free area of the

Republic of South Africa to the list in Sec. 94.11(a) of regions

declared free of rinderpest and FMD but are subject to special

restrictions on the importation of their meat and other animal products

into the United States. The regions listed in Sec. 94.11(a) are subject

to these special restrictions because they: (1) Supplement their

national meat supply by importing fresh (chilled or frozen) meat of

ruminants or swine from regions that are designated in Sec. 94.1(a) as

regions where rinderpest or FMD exists; or (2) have a common land

border with regions where rinderpest or FMD exists; or (3) import

ruminants or swine from regions where rinderpest or FMD exists under

conditions less restrictive than would be acceptable for importation

into the United States.

The Republic of South Africa supplements its national meat supply

by importing fresh (chilled or frozen) meat of ruminants and swine from

regions designated in Sec. 94.1(a)(1) as regions in which rinderpest or

FMD exists. In addition, the Republic of South Africa shares common

land borders with regions designated in Sec. 94.1(a)(1) as regions in

which rinderpest or FMD exists. Furthermore, the Republic of South

Africa imports live ruminants and swine from regions not recognized as

free of rinderpest or FMD under conditions less restrictive than would

be acceptable for importation into the United States. As a result,

there is some risk that the meat and other animal products produced by

the Republic of South Africa could be commingled with the fresh

(chilled or frozen) meat of animals from a region in which rinderpest

and FMD exists and present an undue risk of introducing rinderpest or

FMD into the United States if imported without restriction.

Under Sec. 94.11, meat and other animal products of ruminants and

swine, including ship stores, airplane meals, and baggage containing

these meat or animal products, may not be imported into the United

States except in accordance with Sec. 94.11 and applicable requirements

of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service at 9 CFR chapter III.

Section 94.11 generally requires that the meat and other animal

products of ruminants and swine be: (1) Prepared in an inspected

establishment that is eligible to have its products imported into the

United States under the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and (2)

accompanied by an additional certificate, issued by a full-time

salaried veterinary official of the national government of the

exporting region, assuring that the meat or other animal products have

not been commingled with or exposed to meat or other animal products

originating in, imported from, transported through, or that have

otherwise been in a region where rinderpest or FMD exists.

On October 28, 1997, we published a final rule and policy statement

in the Federal Register that established procedures for recognizing

regions, rather than only countries, for the purpose of importing

animals and animal products into the United States, and that

established procedures by which regions may request permission to

export animals and animal products to the United States under specified

conditions, based on the regions' disease status (see 62 FR 56000-

56033, Dockets 94-106-8 and 94-106-9). The final rule was effective on

November 28, 1997. The request from the Republic of South Africa

addressed by this proposed rule is a request to be recognized as two

regions with respect to FMD. The Republic of South Africa provided

documentation to support that the entire country is free of rinderpest.

That Government also provided documentation to support that the

Republic of South Africa, except Kruger National Park and the remainder

of the FMD-controlled area, is free of FMD. Therefore, we have handled

and evaluated this request in the traditional framework of recognizing

a region as free or not free of a specified disease. This action does

not involve establishment of any additional restrictions on animals or

animal products from the Republic of South Africa.

Miscellaneous

In Sec. 94.1(b)(1), reference is made to part 92 for the

importation of ruminants and swine. In Docket No. 94-106-9, referenced

previously in this document, we redesignated part 92 as part 93. This

citation was not redesignated at that time due to our oversight. We are

proposing to correct that oversight in this document.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866.

This rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of

Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the

Office of Management and Budget.

This proposed rule would declare all of the Republic of South

Africa free of rinderpest and the Republic of South Africa, except

Kruger National Park and the remainder of the FMD-controlled area, free

of FMD. This proposed rule would not relieve restrictions imposed on

the importation of swine and pork or pork products because APHIS

considers the Republic of South Africa as affected with hog cholera,

African swine fever, and swine vesicular disease. In addition, since

the Republic of South Africa shares land borders and maintains trading

relationships with FMD-affected regions, ruminant meat and other

products imported into the United States from the Republic of South

Africa would still be subject to certain restrictions under this

proposed rule.

The cattle industry in the Republic of South Africa is small

relative to the cattle industry in the United States. In 1997, there

were more than 101 million head of cattle in the United States,

compared to more than 13 million in the Republic of South Africa. Of

the 2 million head of cattle that were imported into the United States

in 1996, more than 99 percent were from Canada and Mexico. Sheep and

goat inventories are much larger in the Republic of South Africa than

in the United States. In 1997, there were more than 35 million sheep

and goats in the Republic of South Africa, compared to more than 7

million sheep and goats in the United States. Of the sheep that the

United States imports, more than 99 percent are from Canada and Mexico

(``World Trade Atlas,'' June 1997). In 1995, the United States imported

460 goats and sheep from the Republic of South Africa; however, since

1995, the United States has not imported any live goats and sheep from

the Republic of South Africa. We do not believe that adoption of this

proposed rule would result in any significant increase in the number of

live ruminants imported into the United States from the Republic of

South Africa because the United States imports ruminants primarily from

Canada and Mexico.

We also do not believe that adoption of this proposed rule would

result in any significant increase in the amount of ruminant meat

(beef, veal, mutton, and goat meat) and meat products imported into the

United States from the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of South

Africa's production of ruminant meat in 1997 was 1,542 million pounds,

compared to 26,089 million pounds of ruminant meat produced in the

United States. In 1997, the Republic of South Africa imported 196

million pounds of ruminant meat

[[Page 7821]]

and exported 44 million pounds of ruminant meat. The Republic of South

Africa primarily trades with the European Union, Middle East, Japan,

Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and neighboring African countries. The

United States obtains more than 85 percent of its imports of ruminant

meat and meat products from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Any

effect on domestic supplies of ruminant meat and meat products would be

negligible because we believe that it is unlikely that the Republic of

South Africa would redirect a significant portion of its ruminant meat

production for export exclusively to the United States if this proposed

rule is adopted, given that restrictions would remain in place for

imports into the United States.

The importation of dairy products from the Republic of South Africa

into the United States should also be minimally affected by this rule.

In 1997, U.S. exports and imports of dairy products were valued at $727

million and $1,274 million, respectively. In 1997, the United States

exported $3,391,000 worth of dairy products to the Republic of South

Africa and imported only $2,000 worth of dairy products from the

Republic of South Africa. We believe that it is highly unlikely that

the United States would import a significant amount of dairy products

from the Republic of South Africa because the United States is a

significant net exporter of those products to the Republic of South

Africa. Therefore, the impact on domestic dairy producers should be

minimal.

The importation of ruminant embryos and semen from the Republic of

South Africa into the United States should also be minimally affected

by this rule. The United States is a net exporter of both bovine semen

and cattle embryos. In 1996, the value of U.S. bovine semen and cattle

embryo imports was $7.7 million and $701,000, respectively, while the

value of U.S. exports of bovine semen and cattle embryos was $63.1

million and $12.6 million, respectively (``World Trade Atlas,'' June

1997). Due to the trade balance and the size differences between the

cattle industries of the United States and the Republic of South

Africa, the amount of embryos and semen imported will likely be minimal

and have a minimal impact on small domestic cattle producers.

The entities most likely to be affected by this proposed rule are

those entities engaged in the production of live ruminants and ruminant

meat and meat products. The Small Business Administration's (SBA's)

definition of a small cattle farm is one whose total sales is less than

$0.5 million annually. In 1992, 97.8 percent of cattle and calf farms

in the United States would have been considered small entities.

The SBA's guidelines state that a small producer of pork and

ruminant products (part of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

2011 or 2013, meat packing plants) is one employing fewer than 500

workers. In 1992, 97 percent of the 1,367 meat packing establishments

in SIC 2011 were considered small entities. These small establishments

accounted for approximately 40 percent of the total value of shipments

of the industry, or $50.4 billion. In 1992, 98 percent of the 1,264

establishments in SIC 2013 were considered small entities. These

producers accounted for 84 percent of the total value of shipments of

the industry, or $19.97 billion.

Although the majority of the domestic entities potentially affected

by this proposed rule are small, there should be only a minimal change

in the level of imports that may compete with the production of these

small entities, and thus there would be a minimal impact on any

domestic producer of these products, whether small or large.

Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would

not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities.

Executive Order 12988

This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988,

Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) All State

and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule

will be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect will be given to this

rule; and (3) administrative proceedings will not be required before

parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

National Environmental Policy Act

An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact

have been prepared for this proposed rule. The assessment provides a

basis for the conclusion that the importation of certain live animals

and animal products from all regions of the Republic of South Africa,

except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth

disease controlled area, would not present a significant risk of

introducing or disseminating FMD or rinderpest disease agents into the

United States and would not have a significant impact on the quality of

the human environment. Based on the finding of no significant impact,

the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has

determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.

The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact

were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy

Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2)

regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing

the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA

regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA

Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).

Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no

significant impact are available for public inspection at USDA, room

1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,

Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,

except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect copies are requested to

call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the reading room.

In addition, copies may be obtained by writing to the individual listed

under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule contains no new information collection or

recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

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.

Accordingly, we are proposing to amend 9 CFR part 94 as follows:

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

1. The authority citation for part 94 would continue to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162, 450; 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

371.2(d).

Sec. 94.1 [Amended]

2. Section 94.1 would be amended as follows:

a. In paragraph (a)(2), by adding the words ``Republic of South

Africa (except Kruger National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-

mouth disease controlled area that separates the foot-and-mouth

[[Page 7822]]

disease free area of the Republic of South Africa from Kruger National

Park and the regions along the Republic of South Africa's northern

border),'' immediately after ``Republic of Korea,''.

b. In paragraph (a)(3), by adding the words ``and the Republic of

South Africa'' immediately after ``Greece''.

c. In paragraph (b)(1), the reference ``part 92'' would be removed

and the reference ``part 93'' would be added in its place.

Sec. 94.11 [Amended]

3. In Sec. 94.11, paragraph (a) would be amended by adding, in the

first sentence, the words ``Republic of South Africa (except Kruger

National Park and the remainder of the foot-and-mouth disease

controlled area that separates the foot-and-mouth disease free area of

the Republic of South Africa from Kruger National Park and the regions

along the Republic of South Africa's northern border),'' immediately

after ``Republic of Korea,''.

Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of February 1999.

Craig A. Reed,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3866 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P