Select Agents and Toxins Update ANPRMs

In separate rulemaking activities today the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) both published advance notices of rulemaking (ANPRMs) in today’s Federal Register concerning the updating of the Select Agent and Toxins list. The CDC action (80 FR 10556-10558) and the APHIS action (80 FR 10527) are both routine biennial reviews mandated by Congress.

There are two separate lists maintained by these agencies based on separate congressional mandates. The CDC list is specifically targeting agents and toxins that affect humans while the APHIS list is for those targeting plants and animals. There is some overlap of the two lists.

The CDC is considering removing six agents from the HHS List of Select Agents and Toxins:

● Coxiella burnetii;

● Rickettsia prowazekii;

● Bacillus anthracis Pasteur Strain; and

● Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis

APHIS is not currently considering the addition or deletion of any specific agent or toxin from their List of Select Agents or toxins.

Both agencies are soliciting public comments. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov); CDC comments would be filed under docket CDC-2015-0006 and APHIS comments under docket APHIS-2014-0095. Comments for both ANPRMs should be filed by April 28^th, 2015.