(Volume 67, Number 240)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 76907-76938]

December 13, 2002

Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002; Possession, Use, and Transfer of Biological Agents and Toxins

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002, we are establishing, by regulation, standards and procedures governing the possession, use, and transfer of biological agents and toxins that have been determined to have the potential to pose a severe threat to both human and animal health, to animal health, to plant health, or to animal and plant products. This action is necessary to protect animal and plant health, and animal and plant products.

DATES: This interim rule is effective on February 11, 2003. We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by postal mail/commercial delivery or by e-mail. If you use postal mail/commercial delivery, please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket No. 02-088-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 02-088-1.

If you use e-mail, address your comment to regulations@aphis.usda.gov . Your comment must be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in your message and "Docket No. 02-088-1'' on the subject line.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 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) 690-2817 before coming.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the regulations in 7 CFR part 331, contact Dr. Robert Flanders, Chief, Pest Permit Evaluations Branch, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236, (301) 734-5930.

For information concerning the regulations in 9 CFR part 121, contact Dr. Denise Spencer, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Technical Trade Services, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-3277.