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Under the rule, regions that have been granted certain animal health status under USDA regulations will be specifically required to provide information, or allow APHIS to access information, to confirm the regions’ status when it is requested.

This rule is necessary to help prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases into the United States.

In the past, once a region has been granted a particular animal health status for a specified disease, the regulations have provided no mechanism for APHIS to verify that the assigned import conditions remain appropriate and effective over time. Verification is sometimes necessary and appropriate to ensure continued protection from the introduction of foreign animal diseases into the United States. The amended regulations require, at the discretion of the Administrator, that regions submit, or allow the collection of, information APHIS believes is necessary to ensure that the animal health status of the region has been maintained.

The final rule is scheduled for publication in the Aug. 20 Federal Register and becomes effective Sept. 19.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Source: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - 19th August - 2003