83 FR 13469 - Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 61 (March 29, 2018)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 61 (March 29, 2018)
| Page Range | 13469-13470 | |
| FR Document | 2018-06341 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 13469-13470] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-06341] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Notices [[Page 13469]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2018-0011] Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we are making available for review and comment a revised version of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program Standards. The CWD Program Standards provide guidance on how to meet CWD Herd Certification Program and interstate movement requirements. We are taking this action to address concerns of State and industry participants about the existing standards. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 30, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0011. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2018-0011, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737- 1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018- 0011 or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tracy Nichols, Staff Officer, Cervid Health Team, Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg. B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7380. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids (members of Cervidae, the deer family). Species currently known to be susceptible to CWD include elk, mule deer, moose, white-tailed deer, sika deer, muntjac, reindeer, and black-tailed deer. In 2014, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) implemented the National CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP), a voluntary Federal-State-industry cooperative program administered by APHIS and implemented by participating States. Currently, 28 States participate in the program. States and herd owners choosing to participate must comply with the provisions of 9 CFR parts 55 and 81 (referred to below as the regulations), which include requirements for animal identification, interstate movement, fencing, recordkeeping, herd inspections and inventories, animal mortality testing, and response to any findings of CWD-exposed, -suspect, or -positive herds. APHIS monitors the approved State HCPs to ensure consistency with Federal standards by means of annual State reporting. With each year of successful surveillance, participating herds will advance in status. After 5 years with no evidence of CWD, APHIS will certify the herd as being low risk for CWD. Only captive cervids from enrolled herds certified as low risk for CWD may move interstate. The CWD Program Standards provide detailed guidance on how to meet the regulatory requirements referred to above. An annual review of the Program Standards is conducted by APHIS in collaboration with State agencies and industry representatives. In response to concerns expressed by industry and State partners about the existing CWD Program Standards, published in 2014, we convened a working group in 2016 to review the document. Based on the group's discussions, as well as recommendations from an internal review, we determined that the Program Standards needed to undergo a number of revisions. We are advising the public that we have prepared a revised version of the CWD Program Standards. The proposed revisions include the following: Revising the goal statement to focus on reducing the risk of interstate transmission of CWD. Clarifying that the Program Standards include detailed descriptions of suggested methods approved by the APHIS Administrator to meet the regulatory requirements. Making definitions of terms in the Program Standards consistent with the official definitions in the regulations. Describing APHIS' intent to amend the regulations to define susceptible species based on scientific evidence of natural infection or experimental infections through natural routes and adding the genera Rangifer and Muntiacus to the list of susceptible species. Providing support for implementing antemortem immunohistochemistry testing of rectal anal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) and medial retropharyngeal lymph node (MRPLN) biopsies conducted as a whole-herd test concurrently with genotyping at Prion Protein Gene (PRNP) codon 96 in white-tailed deer in traceback, traceforward, and CWD-exposed herds and for disease management in CWD- positive herds. Providing support for initiating pilot projects using RAMALT and MRPLN biopsies conducted concurrently with genotyping at PRNP codon 132 in elk in traceback, traceforward, and CWD-exposed herds and for disease management in CWD-positive herds to inform decisions about testing protocols. Clarifying the definitions and processes for performing epidemiological investigations. Replacing Appendix VI with a worksheet that States must submit for all positive herds enrolled in the HCP as part of their annual HCP report. Additionally, for any herd for which Federal indemnity is to be paid, a preliminary and final worksheet must have been completed as part of the herd plan by a State representative. Describing the factors that APHIS will consider when making decisions [[Page 13470]] about providing indemnity for CWD-positive, -exposed, and -suspect animals and describing the relative priority of each factor. Clarifying the consequences of poor quality and missing post-mortem surveillance samples on herd status, as well as describing options States may consider as substitutions for these samples. Making the Program Standards language consistent with that of the regulations by requiring CWD testing of all mortalities from certified herds, including at slaughter and on hunt facilities when animals remain under the same ownership. Streamlining the description of fencing characteristics considered necessary to prevent ingress and egress of cervids for HCP- enrolled herds. Eliminating Appendix II: Fencing Requirements and References, and making these scientific references available upon request. Moving Part B, Section 5: Sanitary Precautions and Biosecurity Practices for Herd Plans and Depopulations to an appendix, and simplifying recommendations for premises decontamination. Updating and streamlining Appendix IV: Guidelines for Environmental Contamination. Consolidating the discussion of carcass disposal options in the main body of the Program Standards and deleting Appendix V: Carcass Disposal. The revised Program Standards may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room. (Instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room are provided under the heading ADDRESSES at the beginning of this notice.) The documents are also available by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. After reviewing any comments we receive on the proposed updates, we will publish a second notice in the Federal Register announcing our decision regarding the proposed changes. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301-8317; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of March 2018. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2018-06341 Filed 3-28-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
![13469
Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 61
Thursday, March 29, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER through Friday, except holidays. To be document. Based on the group’s
contains documents other than rules or sure someone is there to help you, discussions, as well as
proposed rules that are applicable to the please call (202) 799–7039 before recommendations from an internal
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, coming. review, we determined that the Program
committee meetings, agency decisions and Standards needed to undergo a number
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Tracy Nichols, Staff Officer, Cervid of revisions.
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are Health Team, Surveillance, We are advising the public that we
examples of documents appearing in this Preparedness, and Response Services, have prepared a revised version of the
section. VS, APHIS, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, CWD Program Standards. The proposed
Bldg. B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) revisions include the following:
• Revising the goal statement to focus
494–7380.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE on reducing the risk of interstate
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
transmission of CWD.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a • Clarifying that the Program
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
transmissible spongiform Standards include detailed descriptions
Service encephalopathy of cervids (members of of suggested methods approved by the
[Docket No. APHIS–2018–0011] Cervidae, the deer family). Species APHIS Administrator to meet the
currently known to be susceptible to regulatory requirements.
Notice of Availability of Proposed CWD include elk, mule deer, moose, • Making definitions of terms in the
Changes to the Chronic Wasting white-tailed deer, sika deer, muntjac, Program Standards consistent with the
Disease Herd Certification Program reindeer, and black-tailed deer. official definitions in the regulations.
Standards In 2014, the Animal and Plant Health • Describing APHIS’ intent to amend
Inspection Service (APHIS) the regulations to define susceptible
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health
implemented the National CWD Herd species based on scientific evidence of
Inspection Service, USDA.
Certification Program (HCP), a voluntary natural infection or experimental
ACTION: Notice of availability. Federal-State-industry cooperative infections through natural routes and
SUMMARY: We are advising the public program administered by APHIS and adding the genera Rangifer and
that we are making available for review implemented by participating States. Muntiacus to the list of susceptible
and comment a revised version of the Currently, 28 States participate in the species.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd program. States and herd owners • Providing support for implementing
Certification Program Standards. The choosing to participate must comply antemortem immunohistochemistry
CWD Program Standards provide with the provisions of 9 CFR parts 55 testing of rectal anal mucosa associated
guidance on how to meet CWD Herd and 81 (referred to below as the lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) and medial
Certification Program and interstate regulations), which include retropharyngeal lymph node (MRPLN)
movement requirements. We are taking requirements for animal identification, biopsies conducted as a whole-herd test
this action to address concerns of State interstate movement, fencing, concurrently with genotyping at Prion
and industry participants about the recordkeeping, herd inspections and Protein Gene (PRNP) codon 96 in white-
existing standards. inventories, animal mortality testing, tailed deer in traceback, traceforward,
and response to any findings of CWD- and CWD-exposed herds and for disease
DATES: We will consider all comments
exposed, -suspect, or -positive herds. management in CWD-positive herds.
that we receive on or before April 30,
2018.
APHIS monitors the approved State • Providing support for initiating
HCPs to ensure consistency with pilot projects using RAMALT and
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Federal standards by means of annual MRPLN biopsies conducted
by either of the following methods: State reporting. With each year of concurrently with genotyping at PRNP
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to successful surveillance, participating codon 132 in elk in traceback,
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docket herds will advance in status. After 5 traceforward, and CWD-exposed herds
Detail;D=APHIS-2018-0011. years with no evidence of CWD, APHIS and for disease management in CWD-
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: will certify the herd as being low risk positive herds to inform decisions about
Send your comment to Docket No. for CWD. Only captive cervids from testing protocols.
APHIS–2018–0011, Regulatory Analysis enrolled herds certified as low risk for • Clarifying the definitions and
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station CWD may move interstate. processes for performing
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, The CWD Program Standards provide epidemiological investigations.
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. detailed guidance on how to meet the • Replacing Appendix VI with a
Supporting documents and any regulatory requirements referred to worksheet that States must submit for
comments we receive on this docket above. An annual review of the Program all positive herds enrolled in the HCP as
may be viewed at http://
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Standards is conducted by APHIS in part of their annual HCP report.
www.regulations.gov/#!docket collaboration with State agencies and Additionally, for any herd for which
Detail;D=APHIS-2018-0011 or in our industry representatives. Federal indemnity is to be paid, a
reading room, which is located in Room In response to concerns expressed by preliminary and final worksheet must
1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th industry and State partners about the have been completed as part of the herd
Street and Independence Avenue SW, existing CWD Program Standards, plan by a State representative.
Washington, DC. Normal reading room published in 2014, we convened a • Describing the factors that APHIS
hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday working group in 2016 to review the will consider when making decisions
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![13470 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Notices
about providing indemnity for CWD- COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS the comments must be received in the
positive, -exposed, and -suspect animals regional office within 30 days following
and describing the relative priority of Notice of Public Meetings of the the meeting. Written comments may be
each factor. Indiana Advisory Committee to the mailed to the Regional Programs Unit
• Clarifying the consequences of poor U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights,
quality and missing post-mortem 55 W. Monroe St., Suite 410, Chicago,
AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
surveillance samples on herd status, as IL 60615. They may also be faxed to the
Rights.
well as describing options States may Commission at (312) 353–8324, or
ACTION: Announcement of meetings. emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@
consider as substitutions for these
samples. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, usccr.gov. Persons who desire
additional information may contact the
• Making the Program Standards pursuant to the provisions of the rules
Regional Programs Unit Office at (312)
language consistent with that of the and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission) and the 353–8311.
regulations by requiring CWD testing of
Federal Advisory Committee Act that Records generated from these
all mortalities from certified herds,
the Indiana Advisory Committee meetings may be inspected and
including at slaughter and on hunt
(Committee) will hold public meetings reproduced at the Regional Programs
facilities when animals remain under
on: Monday April 16th at 4 p.m. Eastern Unit Office, as they become available,
the same ownership.
time; Wednesday May 9 at 3 p.m. both before and after the meeting.
• Streamlining the description of Records of the meeting will be available
Eastern time; and Monday May 21 at 4
fencing characteristics considered via www.facadatabase.gov under the
p.m. Eastern time. The purpose of these
necessary to prevent ingress and egress Commission on Civil Rights, Indiana
meetings is to prepare to release a
of cervids for HCP-enrolled herds. Advisory Committee link (http://
public report on voting rights in the
• Eliminating Appendix II: Fencing state. www.facadatabase.gov/committee/
Requirements and References, and meetings.aspx?cid=247). Persons
making these scientific references DATES: The meetings will be held on: interested in the work of this Committee
available upon request. • Monday April 16, 2018 at 4 pm are directed to the Commission’s
Eastern time; website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may
• Moving Part B, Section 5: Sanitary • Wednesday May 9, 2018 at 3 pm
Precautions and Biosecurity Practices contact the Regional Programs Unit
Eastern time; and Office at the above email or street
for Herd Plans and Depopulations to an • Monday May 21, 2018 at 4 pm
appendix, and simplifying address.
Eastern time.
recommendations for premises Public Call Information: Dial: 888– Agenda:
decontamination. 224–1065, Conference ID: 1818955. Welcome and Roll Call
• Updating and streamlining FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Discussion: Voting Rights in Indiana
Appendix IV: Guidelines for Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at Public Comment
Environmental Contamination. mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353– Future Plans and Actions
• Consolidating the discussion of 8311. Adjournment
carcass disposal options in the main SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members Dated: March 26, 2018.
body of the Program Standards and of the public can listen to the David Mussatt,
deleting Appendix V: Carcass Disposal. discussion. These meetings are available Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
The revised Program Standards may to the public through the above listed [FR Doc. 2018–06352 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am]
be viewed on the Regulations.gov toll free number. Any interested BILLING CODE P
website or in our reading room. member of the public may call this
(Instructions for accessing number and listen to the meetings. An
Regulations.gov and information on the open comment period will be provided COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
location and hours of the reading room during each meeting to allow members
are provided under the heading of the public to make a statement as Notice of Public Meeting of the Oregon
ADDRESSES at the beginning of this time allows. The conference call Advisory Committee to the U.S.
notice.) The documents are also operator will ask callers to identify Commission on Civil Rights
available by contacting the person listed themselves, the organization they are
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION affiliated with (if any), and an email AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
CONTACT. address prior to placing callers into the Rights.
conference room. Callers can expect to ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
After reviewing any comments we
receive on the proposed updates, we incur regular charges for calls they
initiate over wireless lines, according to SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
will publish a second notice in the pursuant to the provisions of the rules
Federal Register announcing our their wireless plan. The Commission
will not refund any incurred charges. and regulations of the U.S. Commission
decision regarding the proposed on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
changes. Callers will incur no charge for calls
they initiate over land-line connections Federal Advisory Committee Act that
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301–8317; 7 CFR the Oregon Advisory Committee
to the toll-free telephone number.
2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. (Committee) will hold a meeting via
Persons with hearing impairments may
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of also follow the proceedings by first web conference on Tuesday, April 3,
March 2018. calling the Federal Relay Service at 1– 2018, from 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. PST for
Kevin Shea, 800–877–8339 and providing the the purpose of hearing public testimony
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Service with the conference call number on human trafficking issues in the state.
Inspection Service. and conference ID number. DATES: The meeting will be held on
[FR Doc. 2018–06341 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am] Members of the public are also Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P entitled to submit written comments; PST.
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Document Created: 2018-03-29 00:26:20
Document Modified: 2018-03-29 00:26:20
| 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 of availability. | |
| Dates | We will consider all comments that we receive on or before April 30, 2018. | |
| Contact | Dr. Tracy Nichols, Staff Officer, Cervid Health Team, Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response Services, VS, APHIS, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg. B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7380. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 13469 |
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