. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/260
25 April 2000
(00-1659)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service.
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, whereapplicable).  Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or
practicable:  Livestock.
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document: Origin Health Certificate for
Livestock Exported From th e United States(4 pages).
5. Description of content: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
proposing to amend the animal export regulations to allow origin health certificates issued
for animals intended for export from the United States to be valid for longer than 30 days in
some cases, based on the requirements of the country of destination.  Currently, origin
health certificates for animals intended for export from the United States must certify thatthe animals were inspected within the 30 days prior to the movement for export.  They
must also contain information about any tests required to be conducted prior to export.
Generally, the animals are inspected and tested (or samples are taken for testing) on the
same day.  However, some countries require or allow testing to be conducted more than
30 days prior to the date of export.  This action would allow animals to be inspected for the
origin health certificate as early as the required testing or sampling may be performed, in
accordance with the requirements of the country of destination.  We believe this can beallowed without increasing the risk of infected or exposed animals being exported, since all
livestock leaving the United States by sea or air are inspected again by a U.S. Department
of Agriculture veterinarian within 24 hours of export; and animals exported to Canada or
Mexico by land are inspected by those nations prior to crossing the land border.  This
action would simplify the export process and reduce costs for exporters.
6. Objective and rationale: [   ] food safety,  [  X ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [     ] protect territory from
other damage from pests           
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [   ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:  All animals are inspected at the point of
embarkation within 24 hours prior to shipment.  This action in is accordance with
international standards set by the Office International des Epizooties.G/SPS/N/USA/260
Page 2
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  65 FR 20384,
17 April 2000; 9 CFR Parts 91 and 161.  (Available in English.)
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  The date of entry into force will be announced when
the final rule is published in the Federal Register.
11. Final date for comments:  16 June 2000.
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [     ] National notification
authority, [     ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body . Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
Detailed instruction on where and how to send comments is in the body of the full text -
which will be sent upon request to the address in paragraph 12.
12. Texts available from: [  X ] National notification authority, [  X ] National enquiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
United States SPS Enquiry Point/Notification Authority
USDA/FAS/FSTSD
Attn: Carolyn F. Wilson
Room 5545 South Agriculture Building
Stop 10271400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone (202) 720-2239
Fax (202) 690-0677
E-mail Address: ofsts@fas.usda.gov