Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
Affirmation of interim rule as final rule.
We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the bovine tuberculosis regulations to recognize two separate zones with different tuberculosis risk classifications in the State of Texas. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the spread of tuberculosis and to further the progress of the domestic bovine tuberculosis eradication program.
The interim rule became effective on November 22, 2000.
Dr. Joseph Van Tiem, Senior Staff Veterinarian, National Animal Health Programs, VS, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 43, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 734–7716.
In an interim rule effective and published in the
Comments on the interim rule were required to be received on or before January 22, 2001. We received one comment by that date, from a veterinary medical association. The commenter supported the interim rule.
Therefore, for the reasons given in the interim rule, we are adopting the interim rule as a final rule without change.
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.
Animal diseases, Bison, Cattle, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Tuberculosis.
21 U.S.C. 111, 114, 114a, 115–117, 120, 121, 134b and 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.