AGENCY:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION:
Proposed rule.
SUMMARY:
We are proposing to amend the animal disease traceability regulations to require that eartags applied on or after a date 6 months (180 days) after publication in the Federal Register of a final rule following this proposed rule be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. We are also proposing to clarify certain record retention and record access requirements and revise some requirements pertaining to slaughter cattle. These proposed changes would enhance the ability of Tribal, State and Federal officials, private veterinarians, and livestock producers to quickly respond to high-impact diseases currently existing in the United States, as well as foreign animal diseases that threaten the viability of the U.S. cattle and bison industries.
View regulations at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/19/2023-00505/use-of-electronic-identification-eartags-as-official-identification-in-cattle-and-bison
DATES:
We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 20, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
•
Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Go to
www.regulations.gov.
Enter APHIS-2021-0020 in the Search field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
•
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2021-0020, 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
www.regulations.gov
or in our reading room, which is located in room 1620 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. Aaron Scott, Director, National Animal Disease Traceability and Veterinary Accreditation Center, Strategy & Policy, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 2150 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526;
(970) 494-7249.