United States Streamlines Import Restrictions on EU Swine

This final rule will apply a uniform set of import requirements for classical swine fever (CSF) to the region consisting of the 15 member states that comprised the EU prior to its expansion on May 1, 2004. These member states (EU-15) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

According to this final rule, import prohibitions will be placed on all swine and swine products entering the United States from any region in any member state of the EU-15 that has been quarantined by the EU due to an outbreak of CSF. Quarantined areas are referred to as restricted zones. Any restrictions due to a CSF outbreak in the EU-15 will be implemented and released by an administrative process rather than a regulatory process.

In the event of an outbreak of CSF in domestic swine, importation prohibitions will remain in effect for six months following the depopulation of swine and the cleaning and disinfection of the last infected premise in the restricted zone even if a veterinary authority of the EU-15 member state lifts its designation of the area as a restricted zone before the six months have elapsed. Restrictions in place because of infected wild boar will mimic EU restrictions.

APHIS has determined that these changes are necessary in order to prevent the introduction of CSF into the United States while increasing our responsiveness to changes in the CSF situation in the EU.

This final rule is scheduled for publication in the May 19 Federal Register and becomes effective June 19.

Source: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - 23rd May 2006

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