. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/225
11 February 2000
(00-0520)
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 - APHIS
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable).
Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Canine
and equine semen
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Importation of Animal Semen
(4 pages)
5. Description of content: APHIS is proposing to amend regulations concerning the
importation of animal semen. Under this proposal, APHIS would eliminate importation
requirements for all canine semen from anywhere in the world and for equine semen from
Canada. APHIS believes these changes are warranted because canine semen and equinesemen from Canada pose no threat of introducing diseases to US livestock. This action would
reduce regulatory requirements for the importation of semen while continuing to protect the
health of US livestock. APHIS also proposes to require that other animal semen, except for
equine semen from Canada, be imported only in shipping containers that bear the official
government seal of the national veterinary service of the region of origin. This action would
help prevent the importation of animal semen that does not meet the requirements of our
regulations.
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:  We believe this action is in accordance with
international standards set by the Office International des Epizooties.
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  65 FR 4173,
26 January 2000;  CFR Part 198 (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.G/SPS/N/USA/225
Page 2
11. Final date for comments:  27 March 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 1027
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone (202) 720-2239
Fax (202) 690-0677
E-mail Address: ofsts@fas.usda.gov