DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE [ 7 PA. CODE CHS. 3 AND 7 ] Rescission of Brucellosis Testing Requirements; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [45 Pa.B. 3711]
[Saturday, July 11, 2015]The Department of Agriculture (Department) provides notice that it intends to pursue a proposed rulemaking to rescind regulations establishing Brucellosis testing standards and requirements. Interested individuals are invited to provide comments on this proposed action.
Section 3.22 (relating to Brucellosis requirements), which imposes general Brucellosis testing requirements for cattle, goats and buffalo, is targeted for rescission. Chapter 7 (relating to Brucellosis regulations), which contains more extensive provisions regarding Brucellosis, is also targeted for rescission.
The Department will propose to rescind § 3.22 and Chapter 7 because the prescribed testing is no longer necessary to protect the health of domestic animals in this Commonwealth. These regulations were amended in 1991, and in the intervening 24 years the threat posed by Brucellosis has lessened to the point the regulations are outdated, unnecessary and an impediment to commerce. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture has, through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, established uniform methods and rules addressing Brucellosis eradication.
Written comments should be sent no later than July 18, 2015, to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, ATTN: Craig Shultz, DVM, Director, 2310 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. The Department will consider all comments received.
As of publication of this notice, the Department will cease active enforcement of § 3.22 and Chapter 7 and pursue the recission of these regulations.
RUSSELL C. REDDING,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-1267. Filed for public inspection July 10, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
