Modernization of Regulations Under 9 CFR Parts 101-118 and 123-124

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proffers this Request for Information (RFI) to solicit the public's input on regulatory considerations related to 9 CFR parts 101-118, 123-124. The regulations are issued primarily pursuant to Section 154 of the Virus- Serum-Toxin Act (VSTA). USDA intends to evaluate each part and subpart for its effectiveness at upholding the VSTA's statutory mandate to prohibit the preparation, sale, barter, or exchange of "worthless, contaminated, dangerous, or harmful" viruses, serums, toxins, or analogous products intended for the use in the treatment of domestic animals, i.e., all animals, other than man, including poultry. The current regulations reflect decades of incremental amendments, technical updates, and revisions adopted at different points in time to address specific scientific, operational, and/or programmatic needs; in recent history, USDA has not holistically reformed the regulations implementing the VSTA. Comprehensive modernization of the regulations will ensure that the framework remains coherent, consistent, and responsive to contemporary technologies, innovation, and practices while continuing to fulfill the statutory requirements of the VSTA.