APS REGULATORY ALERT E-MAIL
To: APS U.S. Members
From: APS Public Policy Board
Subject: Regulatory Alert - APHIS
Cost-Sharing Proposed Rule
APHIS is proposing new regulations
that would establish criteria to determine the Federal share of financial
responsibility relative to States and other cooperators in an emergency in
which an animal or plant pest or disease threatens the agricultural production
of the United States. The increasing frequency of new pest and disease
incursions, the variation in cost-sharing arrangements among past and present
emergency programs, and constraints on Federal and State resources necessitate
a more consistent and predictable approach to cost allocation among program
participants. The cost-sharing arrangements provided in this proposed rule
would apply to most emergency program activities, including the payment of
compensation, that are authorized under the Plant Protection Act and the Animal
Health Protection Act. This would include funding provided to respond to an
emergency, as well as funding included in the annual budget request for ongoing
actions previously funded through emergency authority. The intent of this
proposal is to facilitate long-term resource planning and funding decisions by
both the Federal Government and cooperators. Since infestations can have a
national impact, as well as affect State and local governments, industry, and
producers, and remedial actions will benefit all affected interests, there
needs to be a way to determine the appropriate allocation of responsibility in
combating these infestations. The purpose of this rulemaking is to describe the
criteria that would be used to determine the appropriate levels of
responsibility between the Federal Government and cooperators. APHIS will consider all comments that we
receive on or before