Specifically Approved States Authorized To Receive Mares and Stallions Imported From Regions Where CEM Exists

We are notifying the public of a change in the effective date of a direct final rule that amends our animal import regulations to add Oregon to the list of States approved to receive certain mares and stallions from regions affected with contagious equine metritis. The direct final rule was originally scheduled to become effective on February 16, 2001; however, on February 5, 2001, we published a document in the Federal Register that temporarily delayed the effective date by 60 days in order to give Department officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of the new regulations, consistent with the Assistant to the President's memorandum, "Regulatory Review Plan," of January 20, 2001. Department officials have completed their review of the direct final rule and have determined that the rule may be made effective without further delay.