SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP, also referred to below as “the Plan”) is a cooperative Federal-State-industry mechanism for controlling certain poultry diseases. The Plan consists of a variety of programs intended to prevent and control poultry diseases. Participation in all Plan programs is voluntary, but breeding flocks, hatcheries, and dealers must first qualify as “U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean” as a condition for participating in the other Plan programs.

The regulations in 9 CFR parts 145, 146, and 147 (referred to below as the regulations) contain the provisions of the Plan. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) amends these provisions from time to time to incorporate new scientific information and technologies within the Plan.

In a final rule ^[1] published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2014 (79 FR 38752-38768, Docket No. APHIS-2011-0101), with an effective date of August 8, 2014, we amended the regulations by, among other things, amending the standards for the U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored classification. Section 146.23(a) provides the U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored classification for table-egg layer pullet flocks and table-egg layer flocks. Prior to the final rule, the introductory text for paragraph (a) addressed the table-egg layer industry generally, including both table-egg layer pullet flocks and table-egg layer flocks. Separate testing requirements were set out for each type of flock in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively. However, this caused some confusion. Therefore, in the final rule, we reformatted paragraph (a) so that it includes introductory text in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) that is specific to each type of flock. The testing requirements, which remain the same, were set out for each type of flock using the phrase “A flock will qualify for this classification when the Official State Agency determines that it has met one of the following requirements.” While the use of “one of” is appropriate for paragraph (a)(1) as there are only two testing and surveillance options that satisfy the U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored classification, in order for flocks in paragraph (a)(2) to attain U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored classification they must meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(2)(i) and either paragraph (a)(2)(ii) or (a)(2)(iii). Therefore, using “one of” in this case inadvertently removes necessary testing requirements.

To clarify the requirements that must be followed for table-egg layer flocks to qualify as U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored classified, we are amending the introductory text in paragraph (a)(2) to make it clear that table-egg layer flocks must meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(2)(i) and the requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(ii) or (a)(2)(iii).

Section 145.23(h) sets out requirements for the U.S. Avian Influenza Clean classification for multiplier breeding flocks. The regulations currently state that a flock and the hatching eggs and chicks produced from it will obtain this classification if, along with other requirements, during each 90-day period, all multiplier spent fowl within the flock, up to a maximum of 30, are tested and found negative for avian influenza within 21 days prior to movement to slaughter. In the final rule, we intended to change this requirement to state that such a classification may be obtained when, in addition to other requirements, a sample of at least 11 birds is tested and found negative to avian influenza within 21 days prior to slaughter. We are correcting this unintended omission in this technical amendment.

We are also making several other changes to improve the clarity of the regulations. Section 145.33(l) sets out requirements for the U.S. Avian Influenza Clean classification for multiplier meat-type chicken breeding flocks. However, the introductory text in paragraph (l) inadvertently refers to members of such flocks as “primary breeding chickens.” Therefore, we are amending the introductory text in paragraph (l) to replace the word “primary” with the word “multiplier.” In paragraph (l)(2) we are also adding the word “serologically” after the word “tested” and the words “for antibodies for avian influenza” after the word “negative.” Finally, we are adding the words “for antibodies for avian influenza” after the word “negative” in § 145.83(g)(2). We are making these changes to clarify the nature of the required testing.

Accordingly, we are amending 9 CFR parts 145 and 146 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 145 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301-8317; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

2. In § 145.23, paragraph (h)(2) is revised to read as follows:

3. Section 145.33 is amended in paragraph (l) introductory text, by revising the second sentence after the heading and by revising paragraph (l)(2) to read as follows:

4. In § 145.83, paragraph (g)(2) is amended by adding the words “for antibodies for avian influenza” after the word “negative”.

5. The authority citation for part 146 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301-8317; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

6. Section 146.23 is amended as follows:

a. In paragraph (a)(2) introductory text, by removing the words “one of”.

b. In paragraph (a)(2)(i), by adding the words “and either” after the word “disposal;”.