APHIS explains that it is amending the regulations to allow for the importation of cooked pork skins from regions affected with foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, African swine fever and classical swine fever under certain conditions.

APHIS is also setting out certain requirements for the importation of untanned bovine, deer, and other ruminant hides and skins into the United States from Mexico to prevent the spread of bovine babesiosis. These requirements will provide for the importation of these articles under conditions intended to prevent the introduction of African swine fever, bovine babesiosis and exotic Newcastle disease.

The final rule is published in yesterday's (15 December) issue of Federal Register, and it becomes effective on 14 January 2010.

Further Reading

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You can view the full report by clicking here.

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Find out more information on the diseases mentioned in this article by clicking here.