Finding ofNo Significant Impact for the Final Rulemaking for Importation ofSwine and Swine Commodities from Slovakia, Environmental Assessment, May 2011

The US. Department ofAgriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential effects on the human environment from a rule amendment. The amendment would change APHIS regulations bylisting the Republic ofSlovakia as a region that is low risk for classical swine fever (CSF) and free ofswine vesicular disease (SVD), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and rinderpest, thus allowing the importation ofswine and swine commodities from Slovakia. The EA, "Final Rulemaking for Importation ofSwine and Swine Commodities from Slovakia," is incorporatedbyreference inthis document and is available from the address below:

U.S. Department ofAgriculture Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service Veterinary Services National Center for Import and Export Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff 4700 River Road, Unit 38

Riverdale, MD 20737

The EA considered two alternatives: (1) "No Action," which would not change the
current regulations and or disease status ofSlovakia for CSF, SVD, FMD, orrinderpest and (2) the rule amendment alternative (thepreferred alternative) that would list Slovakia

as a region that is low risk for CSF and free ofSVD, FMD, and rinderpest. Changingthe disease status according to the rule amendment would allow, under certainrequirements and conditions, the importation ofswine and swine commodities from Slovakia to the United States. The rule amendment is the preferred alternative because it would not likelyresult inthe introduction ofthe aforementioned animal diseases from the importation ofswine or swine commodities from Slovakia. Further, the rule amendment will facilitate trade while protecting against the introduction ofanimal disease into the United States.

APHIS has determined that no significant impactwould occur to the human environment, which includes animal health, public health, and the physical environment, from the implementation ofthe rule amendment. Also, APHIS anticipates no effects on federally listed threatened or endangered species ortheirhabitat. APHIS' Finding ofNo Significant Impact for this regulatory action is based upon the expected limited environmental consequences, as analyzed in the EA. This finding is further supportedby APHIS' evaluation ofthe risk ofintroduction ofCSF, SVD, FMD, orrinderpest from swine or swine commodities from Slovakia and requirements and conditions inAPHIS regulations that serve as safeguards to further negate orreduce the potential for environmental consequences.I find that rule amendmentposes no disproportionate adverse effects to minority populations and low-income popUlations and that the actions that would be undertaken for this rule are consistent with the principles ofenvironmentaljustice, as stated in Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice inMinority Populations and Low-Income Populations." I also find that the rule amendment poses no disproportionate adverse effects to children and that the actions that would be undertaken also complywith thepolicy ofExecutive Order 13045, "Protection ofChildren From Environmental Health Risks and SafetyRisks."

Lastly, because I have not found evidence ofsignificant environmental impact associated with the rule amendment, I further find that an environmental impact statement does not needto beprepared and that the rule amendment maybe implemented.

# ~L~ Gary S. C 19rove Date Director Sanitary Trade Issues Team National Center for Import and Export Veterinary Services Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service