82 FR 48050 - Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 198 (October 16, 2017)

Page Range		48050-48051
FR Document		2017-22382

We are advising the public that we are recognizing Japan as being free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. This recognition is based on a risk evaluation we prepared and made available for public review and comment.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48050-48051]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22382]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 48050]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2016-0053]


Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 
and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are recognizing Japan as 
being free of highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease. 
This recognition is based on a risk evaluation we prepared and made 
available for public review and comment.

DATES: This change of disease status will be recognized on October 16, 
2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Regionalization Evaluation Services, National Import 
Export Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1231; [email protected]; (301) 851-3315.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred 
to below as the regulations) govern the importation of certain animals 
and animal products into the United States in order to prevent the 
introduction of various animal diseases, including highly pathogenic 
avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease. Within part 94, Sec.  
94.6 contains requirements governing the importation of carcasses, 
meat, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching 
eggs) of poultry, game birds, or other birds from regions where HPAI 
and Newcastle disease is considered to exist.
    In accordance with Sec.  94.6(a)(1)(i), the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a list of regions in which 
Newcastle disease is not considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
states that APHIS will add a region to this list after it conducts an 
evaluation of the region and finds that Newcastle disease is not likely 
to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations.
    In accordance with Sec.  94.6(a)(2)(i), APHIS maintains a list of 
regions in which HPAI is considered to exist. Paragraph (a)(2)(ii) 
states that APHIS will remove a region from this list only after it 
conducts an evaluation of the region and finds that HPAI is not likely 
to be present in its commercial bird or poultry populations.
    In 9 CFR part 92, Sec.  92.2 contains requirements for requesting 
the recognition of the animal health status of a region (as well as for 
the approval of the export of a particular type of animal or animal 
product to the United States from a foreign region). If, after review 
and evaluation of the information submitted in support of the request, 
APHIS believes the request can be safely granted, APHIS will make its 
evaluation available for public comment through a document published in 
the Federal Register.
    In accordance with that process, we published a notice \1\ in the 
Federal Register on June 30, 2017 (82 FR 29822-29823, Docket No. APHIS-
2016-0053) announcing the availability for review and comment of our 
evaluation of the HPAI and Newcastle disease status of Japan. Based on 
this evaluation, we determined that Japan is free of both HPAI and 
Newcastle disease.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, risk evaluation, environmental 
assessment, finding of no significant impact, and the comments we 
received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-
2016-0053.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 30 days ending July 31, 
2017. We received two comments by that date, both from private 
citizens. One commenter supported the action. The second commenter 
stated that our assessment did not seem to include the most recent 
occurrence of HPAI in Japan and requested that we explain why we made 
the determination that no HPAI has occurred when HPAI was reported in 
Japan in early 2017.
    The risk evaluation that we made available for public review and 
comment explained that seven outbreaks of HPAI occurred in November and 
December of 2016, followed by five outbreaks from January through May 
2017. The risk evaluation examined the biosecurity and surveillance 
measures that Japan employs to prevent and detect HPAI outbreaks, 
respectively. There was no evidence that HPAI virus is circulating in 
domestic poultry in Japan. Each HPAI outbreak appeared to be a point 
source introduction from infected wild birds, with no other 
epidemiological connections. These findings support our conclusion that 
Japan is free of HPAI. Although infection in migratory wild birds 
presents an ongoing risk of introduction, Japan has effective systems 
in place to detect and investigate potential HPAI outbreaks and a 
highly successful rapid response scheme.
    Based on the evaluation and the reasons given in this document in 
response to comments, we are recognizing Japan as being free of HPAI 
and Newcastle disease and will add Japan to the Web-based list of 
regions in which Newcastle disease is not considered to exist and 
remove Japan from the web-based list of regions in which HPAI is 
considered to exist. These lists are available on the APHIS Web site at 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/ct_animal_disease_status.
    An environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant 
impact (FONSI) have been prepared for this action. Based on the FONSI, 
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has 
determined that an environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
    The EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with: (1) The National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (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).
    The EA and FONSI may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site (see 
footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI are also available for public 
inspection at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m.

[[Page 48051]]

and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing 
to inspect copies are requested to call ahead on (202) 799-7039 to 
facilitate entry into the reading room. In addition, copies may be 
obtained by writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 450, 7701-7772, 7781-7786, and 8301-8317; 
21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 11th day of October 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22382 Filed 10-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

48050

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 198

Monday, October 16, 2017

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER not considered to exist. Paragraph followed by five outbreaks from January
contains documents other than rules or (a)(1)(ii) states that APHIS will add a through May 2017. The risk evaluation
proposed rules that are applicable to the region to this list after it conducts an examined the biosecurity and
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, evaluation of the region and finds that surveillance measures that Japan
committee meetings, agency decisions and Newcastle disease is not likely to be employs to prevent and detect HPAI
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
present in its commercial bird or outbreaks, respectively. There was no
statements of organization and functions are poultry populations. evidence that HPAI virus is circulating
examples of documents appearing in this In accordance with § 94.6(a)(2)(i), in domestic poultry in Japan. Each HPAI
section. APHIS maintains a list of regions in outbreak appeared to be a point source
which HPAI is considered to exist. introduction from infected wild birds,
Paragraph (a)(2)(ii) states that APHIS with no other epidemiological
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE will remove a region from this list only connections. These findings support our
after it conducts an evaluation of the conclusion that Japan is free of HPAI.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection region and finds that HPAI is not likely Although infection in migratory wild
Service to be present in its commercial bird or birds presents an ongoing risk of
[Docket No. APHIS–2016–0053] poultry populations. introduction, Japan has effective
In 9 CFR part 92, § 92.2 contains systems in place to detect and
Notice of Determination of the Highly requirements for requesting the investigate potential HPAI outbreaks
Pathogenic Avian Influenza and recognition of the animal health status and a highly successful rapid response
Newcastle Disease Status of Japan of a region (as well as for the approval scheme.
of the export of a particular type of Based on the evaluation and the
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health animal or animal product to the United reasons given in this document in
Inspection Service, USDA. States from a foreign region). If, after response to comments, we are
ACTION: Notice. review and evaluation of the recognizing Japan as being free of HPAI
information submitted in support of the and Newcastle disease and will add
SUMMARY: We are advising the public
request, APHIS believes the request can Japan to the Web-based list of regions in
that we are recognizing Japan as being
be safely granted, APHIS will make its which Newcastle disease is not
free of highly pathogenic avian
evaluation available for public comment considered to exist and remove Japan
influenza and Newcastle disease. This
through a document published in the from the web-based list of regions in
recognition is based on a risk evaluation
Federal Register. which HPAI is considered to exist.
we prepared and made available for In accordance with that process, we These lists are available on the APHIS
public review and comment. published a notice 1 in the Federal Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
DATES: This change of disease status Register on June 30, 2017 (82 FR 29822– aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-
will be recognized on October 16, 2017. 29823, Docket No. APHIS–2016–0053) and-animal-product-import-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. announcing the availability for review information/ct_animal_disease_status.
Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian, and comment of our evaluation of the An environmental assessment (EA)
Regionalization Evaluation Services, HPAI and Newcastle disease status of and finding of no significant impact
National Import Export Services, VS, Japan. Based on this evaluation, we (FONSI) have been prepared for this
APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38, determined that Japan is free of both action. Based on the FONSI, the
Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; HPAI and Newcastle disease. Administrator of the Animal and Plant
Kelly.Rhodes@aphis.usda.gov; (301) We solicited comments on the notice Health Inspection Service has
851–3315. for 30 days ending July 31, 2017. We determined that an environmental
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The received two comments by that date, impact statement need not be prepared.
regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to both from private citizens. One The EA and FONSI were prepared in
below as the regulations) govern the commenter supported the action. The accordance with: (1) The National
importation of certain animals and second commenter stated that our Environmental Policy Act of 1969
animal products into the United States assessment did not seem to include the (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
in order to prevent the introduction of most recent occurrence of HPAI in Japan seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on
various animal diseases, including and requested that we explain why we Environmental Quality for
highly pathogenic avian influenza made the determination that no HPAI implementing the procedural provisions
(HPAI) and Newcastle disease. Within has occurred when HPAI was reported of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
part 94, § 94.6 contains requirements in Japan in early 2017. USDA regulations implementing NEPA
governing the importation of carcasses, The risk evaluation that we made (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
meat, parts or products of carcasses, and available for public review and Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
eggs (other than hatching eggs) of comment explained that seven 372).
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

poultry, game birds, or other birds from outbreaks of HPAI occurred in The EA and FONSI may be viewed on
regions where HPAI and Newcastle November and December of 2016, the Regulations.gov Web site (see
disease is considered to exist. footnote 1). Copies of the EA and FONSI
1 To view the notice, risk evaluation,
In accordance with § 94.6(a)(1)(i), the are also available for public inspection
environmental assessment, finding of no significant
Animal and Plant Health Inspection impact, and the comments we received, go to http://
at USDA, Room 1141, South Building,
Service (APHIS) maintains a list of www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS- 14th Street and Independence Avenue
regions in which Newcastle disease is 2016-0053. SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Oct 13, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM 16OCN1

Document Created: 2017-10-14 01:42:07
Document Modified: 2017-10-14 01:42:07

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		This change of disease status will be recognized on October 16, 2017.
Contact		Dr. Kelly Rhodes, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Regionalization Evaluation Services, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; [email protected]; (301) 851-3315.
FR Citation		82 FR 48050

82 FR 48050 - Notice of Determination of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Status of Japan

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 198 (October 16, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service