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Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 12
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Rescission of February 4, 2004, Order and Subsequent Amendments Prohibiting
the Importation of Birds and Bird Products From Specified Countries
ACTION: Notice with comment period.
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing its intent to rescind its February 4,
2004 order and subsequent amendments prohibiting the importation of birds and bird
products from specified countries based on the threat that imports from such countries
increases the risk that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 may be introduced into
the United States. After consideration of public comment, CDC will publish a final
notice regarding these prohibitions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has implemented and continues to enforce
regulations to prohibit or restrict the importation of birds, poultry, and unprocessed birds
and poultry products from regions that have reported the presence of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 in poultry. See 9 CFR 93.101, 93.201, 94.6, & 95.30. While
USDA/APHIS actions are based primarily on protecting the U.S. commercial poultry
industry from the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, these actions
have the added benefit of mitigating the risk of human exposure to the virus. Because the
USDA/APHIS import restrictions adequately address risks to human health, HHS/CDC
is announcing the intent to lift its embargo against imports of birds and unprocessed bird
products from those same countries and solicits comments on this proposal. All of the
bird embargoes that are currently in force under USDA regulations will remain in force.
HHS/CDC will work closely with USDA/APHIS to monitor the international situation
regarding HPAI H5N1 outbreaks and will take additional action if it identifies human
health risks that are not adequately contained by USDA regulatory actions.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 2009. Comments
received after January 21, 2009 will be considered to the extent possible.
Food and Drug Administration
Report of Quantitative Risk and Benefit Assessment of Commercial Fish
Consumption, Focusing on Fetal Neurodevelopmental Effects (Measured by Verbal
Development in Children) and on Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in the
General Population, and Summary of Published Research on the Beneficial Effects
of Fish Consumption and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Certain Neurodevelopmental
and Cardiovascular Endpoints; Availability
ACTION: Notice.
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability
of two draft documents. The first is entitled ``Report of Quantitative Risk and Benefit
Assessment of Commercial Fish Consumption, Focusing on Fetal Neurodevelopmental
Effects (Measured by Verbal Development in Children) and on Coronary Heart Disease
and Stroke in the General Population'' (draft risk and benefit assessment report). The
draft risk and benefit assessment report describes an analysis done by FDA that results in
quantitative estimates of the net effect on fetal neurodevelopment in children of maternal
consumption of commercial fish, as measured by verbal development and the net effect
of eating commercial fish on coronary heart disease and stroke in the general population.
Effects with respect to each of these health endpoints has been associated in the scientific
literature with methylmercury exposure (which primarily occurs through fish
consumption) and with the consumption of fish and of omega-3 fatty acids, which are
found in fish. The second draft document entitled ``Summary of Published Research on
the Beneficial Effects of Fish Consumption and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Certain
Neurodevelopmental and Cardiovascular Endpoints'' (draft summary of published
research) is a compendium of research prepared by FDA for use in developing its
quantitative risk and benefit assessment. When peer and public review are complete, the
draft risk and benefit assessment report and the draft summary of published research are
intended to add to the growing body of scientific literature investigating the likelihood,
magnitude, and direction of health impacts linked to consumption of commercial fish.
FDA is seeking public comment on the draft risk and benefit assessment report and the
draft summary of published research.
DATES: Comments on the draft risk and benefit assessment and on the draft summary
of published research must be submitted by April 21, 2009.
Risk Assessment of the Public Health Impact From Foodborne Listeria
monocytogenes in Some Ready-to-Eat Foods Sliced, Prepared, and/or Packaged in
Retail Facilities; Request for Comments and for Scientific Data and Information
ACTION: Notice; request for comments and for scientific data [TEXT] [PDF]
and information
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requestingcomments and
scientific data and information that would assist the agency in its plans to conduct a risk
assessment of the public health impact of foodborne Listeria monocytogenes in some
ready-to-eat foods sliced, prepared, and/or packaged in retail facilities. The purpose of
the risk assessment is to ascertain the impact on public health of current practices and
potential interventions that reduce or prevent L. monocytogenes contamination in readyto-eat food.
DATES: Submit comments and scientific data and information by April 21, 2009.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in
Imported Agricultural Products
ACTION: Request for Applications
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
requests nominations of individuals to serve as a non-government member of the
Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported
Agricultural Products (Consultative Group). On June 18, 2008, the President signed into
law the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Act), also known as the 2008
Farm Bill. The Act provides for the creation of the Consultative Group.
DATES: Applications must be received prior to 5 p.m. on March 9, 2009.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska, Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska
ACTION: Final rule
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: NMFS issues a regulatory amendment to exempt fishermen using
dinglebar fishing gear in federal waters of the Gulf of Alaska from the requirement to
carry a vessel monitoring system (VMS). This action is necessary because the risk of
damage posed to protected corals in the Gulf of Alaska by the dinglebar gear fishery is
minor and insufficient to justify the costs of VMS. This action is intended to promote the
goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and other
applicable law.
DATES: Effective February 20, 2009.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska:
Chiniak Gully Research Area for Vessels Using Trawl Gear ,
ACTION: Temporary rule.
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: NMFS is rescinding the trawl closure in the Chiniak Gully Research Area.
This action is necessary to allow vessels using trawl gear to participate in directed fishing
for groundfish in the Chiniak Gully Research Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 2009, through 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., September 20, 2009.
Endangered and Threatened Species: Recovery Plan ,
ACTION: Notice of availability.
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability
of the recovery plan for the U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of smalltooth
sawfish (Pristis pectinata) as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).
ADDRESSES: The final plan is provided on NMFS' Protected Resources Internet Web
site at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/plans.htm.
Requests for a copy of the recovery plan may be submitted to the Smalltooth Sawfish
Plan Coordinator at: NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division,
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
[TEXT] [PDF]
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a
public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee on February 6, 2009 to
consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal
consideration and action, if appropriate.
DATES: This meeting will be held on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 8:30
a.m.
ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Airport Hotel,
2081 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone: (401) 739-3000; fax: (401) 732-9309