[Federal Register: January 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 7)]
[Notices]               
[Page 1432]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10ja03-17]                         


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________


This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.


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[[Page 1432]]






DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Office of the Secretary


[Docket No. 03-001-1]


 
Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency Because of Exotic 
Newcastle Disease


    Exotic Newcastle disease (END) has been confirmed in the State of 
California. The disease has been confirmed in backyard poultry, which 
are raised on private premises for hobby, exhibition, and personal 
consumption, and in commercial poultry.
    END is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting domestic, 
wild, and caged poultry and birds. It is one of the most infectious 
diseases of poultry in the world, and is so virulent that many birds 
die without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100 
percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. END can infect and 
cause death even in vaccinated poultry. This disease in poultry and 
birds is characterized by respiratory signs accompanied by nervous 
manifestations, gastrointestinal lesions, and swelling of the head.
    END is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy 
birds or poultry and the bodily discharges of infected birds or 
poultry. Within an infected flock, END is transmitted by direct 
contact, contaminated feeding and watering equipment, and aerosols 
produced by coughing, gasping, and other respiratory disturbances. 
Dissemination between flocks over long distances is often due to 
movement of contaminated equipment and service personnel, such as 
vaccination crews. Movement of carrier birds and those in an incubating 
stage accounts for most of the outbreaks in the pet bird industry.
    The existence of END in California represents a threat to the U.S. 
poultry and bird industries. It constitutes a real danger to the 
national economy and a potential serious burden on interstate and 
foreign commerce. The Department has reviewed the measures being taken 
by California to control and eradicate END and has consulted with the 
appropriate State Government and Indian tribal officials in California. 
Based on such review and consultation, the Department has determined 
that the measures being taken by the State are inadequate to control or 
eradicate END. Therefore, the Department has determined that an 
extraordinary emergency exists because of END in California.
    This declaration of extraordinary emergency authorizes the 
Secretary to (1) hold, seize, treat, apply other remedial actions to, 
destroy (including preventative slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, 
any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance if the Secretary 
determines the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of END 
and (2) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within the State of 
California, or any portion of the State of California, of any animal or 
article, means of conveyance, or facility if the Secretary determines 
that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the 
dissemination of END. The appropriate State Government and Indian 
tribal officials in California have been informed of these facts.
    Effective Date: This declaration of extraordinary emergency shall 
become effective January 6, 2003.


Ann M. Veneman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 03-492 Filed 1-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P