United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Marketing and 

Regulatory

Programs

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

Final Rulemaking for 

Importation of 

Swine and Swine 

Commodities from 

Slovenia

Environmental Assessment,

May 2011
Final Rulemaking for 

Importation of Swine and 

Swine Commodities from 

Slovenia

Environmental Assessment,

May 2011

Agency Contact for the Rulemaking:

Donald Link 

Import Risk Analyst, Regionalization Evaluation Services 

National Center for Import and Export, Veterinary Services 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

U.S. Department of Agriculture

920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200

Raleigh, NC 27606

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To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil 

Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
Table of Contents

 I. Need for the Proposed Action............................................... 1

 II. Alternatives............................................................................. 3

III. Potential Environmental Impacts.......................................... 4

IV. Agencies or Persons Contacted......................................... 14

 V. References............................................................................ 14
1

I. Need for the Proposed Action

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates the importation of animals 

and animal products into the United States to guard against the 

introduction of animal diseases. APHIS’ regulations allow for the 

importation of animal products from regions considered as free of or low 

risk for classical swine fever (CSF) and free of swine vesicular disease 

(SVD) and foot and mouth disease (FMD). The Republic of Slovenia 

(hereafter referred to as Slovenia) submitted a request to APHIS to be 

recognized as a region free of CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest. This 

recognition would allow Slovenia to export live swine and swine-derived 

products including semen, pork, and pork products (hereafter referred to as 

“swine commodities”) to the United States. Slovenia would also be 

eligible--based on FMD and rinderpest status--to export ruminants and 

ruminant-derived products to the United States, if they meet all other 

ruminant health requirements.

In response to Slovenia’s request, APHIS prepared a risk analysis to 

analyze the potential disease risks (in “APHIS Import Risk Analysis of the 

Republic of Slovenia for Classical Swine Fever, Swine Vesicular Disease, 

Foot and Mouth Disease, and Rinderpest”) (USDA, APHIS, 2007) 

associated with this action. APHIS’ evaluation found that Slovenia meets 

the requirements for being recognized as low risk for CSF and free of 

SVD, FMD, and rinderpest. 

Based on the findings of the evaluation, APHIS is proposing to amend its 

import regulations to add Slovenia to the list of European Union (EU) 

Member States that comprise the APHIS-defined EU CSF region (9 CFR 

§§ 93.500, 94.0, and 98.30)—which APHIS considers low risk for CSF 

(9 CFR §§ 94.9, 94.10)—and thereby allow importation of swine 

commodities from this country (9 CFR §§ 94.10, 94.24, and 98.38). 

APHIS further proposes to add Slovenia to the list of countries recognized 

as free of SVD (9 CFR §§ 94.12 and 94.13), FMD, and rinderpest (9 CFR 

§ 94.1). The proposed action is needed to allow the importation of swine 

commodities from Slovenia because there is no scientific basis for 

prohibiting trade based on the CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest status of 

Slovenia. Allowing the trade of these commodities would be consistent 

with the World Organization for Animal Health (commonly referred to as 

the Office of International des Epizooties (OIE)) Terrestrial Animal 

Health Code for CSF, SVD, and FMD.

This environmental assessment (EA) addresses potential environmental 

impacts related to the amendment of APHIS’ regulations to include 

Slovenia in the APHIS-defined EU CSF region (which APHIS recognizes 
2

as low risk for CSF) and recognize it as free of SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest. This EA has been prepared to comply with the provisions of 

the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 United States 

Code (U.S.C.) 4321, et seq.) as prescribed in implementing regulations 

adopted by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) §§ 1500–1508), USDA’s NEPA regulations (7 CFR 

part 1b), and APHIS’ NEPA implementing procedures (7 CFR part 372). 

In accordance with requirements under the APHIS NEPA regulations, this 

EA was made available for public review and comment along with 

APHIS’ risk evaluation and proposed rulemaking for this matter. APHIS 

received no comments on this EA. APHIS also welcomed public 

comments on the approach for future proposed actions of the same nature 

as in this EA, discussed in the following two paragraphs; no comments 

were received on the approach. 

Based upon (1) the Findings of No Significant Impact for EAs prepared 

for a rulemaking to allow the importation of swine and swine commodities 

from EU Member States in the past,

1

(2) the determination from an APHIS 

evaluation that Slovenia is low risk for CSF and free from SVD, FMD, 

and rinderpest and (3) APHIS determinations that measures are in place to 

mitigate the risk of CSF, SVD, FMD or rinderpest introduction into the 

United States through importation of swine, swine commodities, 

ruminants, and ruminant commodities from countries or regions that 

APHIS recognizes as low risk for CSF or free of SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest such as Slovenia, APHIS will consider that future proposed 

actions of this nature2 would pose negligible environmental impact. 

This consideration applies to each EU Member State or country that has 

entered into an agricultural equivalency agreement with the European 

Union, provided that a disease status assessment finds them to be free of 

or a low risk for the relevant diseases. Accordingly, APHIS plans to 

consider future actions of this nature as posing negligible environmental 

impact and included under this environmental assessment. We would do 

so provided that, based on our evaluation of the disease status of the 

country, no extraordinary circumstances exist that require the preparation 

of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, the 

proposed action does not trigger the need for other environmental review 

under NEPA, and the proposed action would not individually or 

cumulatively have a significant environmental impact.

 

1

The Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland (72 Federal Register (FR) 67227–67233; 

November 28, 2007).

2

 By “of this nature,” we mean that the same disease concern is being considered, the same or 

comparable commodities are being considered for importation, the same or equivalent risk mitigation 

measures are in place in the exporting country and in APHIS import regulations, and our risk 

evaluation determines that the importation of the commodities into the United States would pose no 

greater risk than those authorized importation from previously assessed countries.
3

II. Alternatives

Two alternatives are considered in this EA. They include—

(1) the “no action” alternative, in which the current regulations would 

remain unchanged, continuing to omit Slovenia from the list of EU 

Member States comprising the APHIS-defined EU CSF region 

(considered as low risk for CSF) and from the list of countries 

considered free of SVD, FMD, and, rinderpest, and, therefore, 

continuing to not allow the importation of swine and ruminant 

commodities from Slovenia to the United States, and 

(2) the rule amendment of 9 CFR §§ 94.1, 94.9, 94.10, 94.11, 94.12, 

94.13, 94.24, and 98.38, which would add Slovenia to the APHISdefined EU CSF region (considered low risk for CSF) and designate 

Slovenia free of SVD, FMD, and rinderpest, and would, therefore, 

allow the importation of swine and ruminant commodities from 

Slovenia under certain conditions. 

A. No Action

The no action alternative would leave the current importation regulations 

unchanged. Under this alternative, Slovenia would continue to not be 

listed as part of the APHIS-defined EU CSF region considered low risk for 

CSF and would also not be listed as free of SVD, FMD, and rinderpest. 

Therefore, Slovenia would not be allowed to export swine and ruminant 

commodities to the United States. The status of Slovenia as low risk for 

CSF and free of SVD, FMD and rinderpest is not reflected in the current 

import regulations and would continue as such. The continuance of such 

unsupported trade restrictions would be contrary to U.S. obligations under 

international trade agreements.

B. Rule Amendment 

The rule amendment alternative would amend the current regulations to 

add Slovenia to the APHIS-defined European Union (EU) CSF region 

considered low risk for CSF and also add Slovenia to the list of regions 

that are free of SVD, FMD, and rinderpest. In doing so, this alternative 

would allow the importation of swine and ruminant commodities from 

Slovenia if certain conditions are satisfied. The rule amendment would 

add Slovenia to the list of EU Member States in 9 CFR §§ 93.500, 94.0, 

and 98.303and include it as one of the Member States in a region that

 

3

The APHIS-defined EU CSF region currently consists of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, 

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, 
4

APHIS considers as low risk for CSF under 9 CFR §§ 94.9 and 94.10 and 

therefore subject to the import conditions specified under 9 CFR §§ 94.24 

and 98.38. The amendment also would add Slovenia to the regions listed 

under 9 CFR §§ 94.1 as free of FMD and rinderpest but subject to the 

import conditions specified under 9 CFR §§ 94.11 and listed under 9 CFR 

§§ 94.12 as free of SVD but subject to the import conditions specified 

under 9 CFR §§ 94.13. Import conditions are necessary because, although 

APHIS has determined Slovenia to be low risk for CSF and free of SVD, 

FMD, and rinderpest, Slovenia shares common land borders and trades 

with regions that are not evaluated by APHIS and considered free of CSF, 

SVD, FMD, and rinderpest.

C. Alternatives Eliminated from Further

Consideration

Alternatives differing from those mentioned above were eliminated from 

consideration because changes in the requirements either would not 

mitigate the potential risk from the region or would place excessive 

restrictions on the imports that would serve as a de facto trade barrier. 

The certification requirements in the rule provide sufficient mitigation 

measures without being overly restrictive.

III. Potential Environmental Impacts

The animal diseases of concern for this evaluation with regard to allowing 

the importation of swine and ruminant commodities from Slovenia are 

CSF, SVD, and FMD, and rinderpest. APHIS prepared a risk analysis, 

“APHIS Import Risk Analysis of the Republic of Slovenia for Classical 

Swine Fever, Swine Vesicular Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease,” to 

evaluate the risk of CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest introduction to U.S. 

animals from allowing these commodities from Slovenia (USDA, APHIS, 

2007). In preparing the risk analysis, APHIS evaluated the status of 

Slovenia with regard to its infrastructure and control measures in place for 

these diseases, including an assessment of disease surveillance measures, 

import practices, laboratory capacity, emergency response procedures, and 

other factors that could influence the risk of disease introduction into the 

United States. 

Slovenia, as a Member State of the EU since May 2004, adopted the 

legislation of the European Commission (EC) regarding animal health, 

welfare, and identification including legislation pertaining to CSF, SVD, 

 

Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom (England, 

Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland). 
5

and FMD. Slovenia also adopted the harmonized EC legislation regarding 

import, export, and trade of live animals, meat, and animal products. The 

APHIS-defined EU CSF region is considered as low risk with respect to 

CSF. APHIS considers large portions of the EU to be free of SVD and 

FMD as well (USDA, APHIS, 2006). 

A. Background

CSF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine and wild boar. 

The incubation period for CSF is 2 to14 days. CSF is transmitted by

direct contact from pig to pig; through ingestion of products, including 

fresh, frozen, or cured pork, that contain the virus; and by aerosols. CSF 

also can be introduced or spread by infected swine semen. Indirect 

contact with body secretions and excretions from infected animals 

(including dead animals) and viral contamination of objects may lead to 

mechanical transfer of the virus. Thus, movement of people, wild 

animals, and inanimate objects, such as trucks used to transport animals, 

may indirectly transmit the CSF virus (USDA, APHIS, 2007). The CSF 

virus is hardy, being stable between pH 4 and 10 and also stable at low

temperatures (thus, it is unlikely to be destroyed by the post-mortem 

decrease in muscle pH that accompanies carcass maturation), and is 

unlikely to be destroyed by transport or cold storage (USDA, APHIS, 

2006). 

SVD also is a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine and wild 

boar. The incubation period for SVD is 2 to 7 days. SVD may be 

introduced into a herd by infected animals, by feeding garbage containing 

infected meat scraps, or by contacting infected feces (USDA, APHIS, 

2007). After the initial introduction, the disease spreads through contact 

of susceptible pigs with infected pigs and infected feces (such as from an 

improperly cleaned truck). The virus is hardy, resistant to pH changes 

between 2.5 and 12 (thus, it is unlikely to be destroyed by the post-mortem 

decrease in muscle pH that accompanies carcass maturation), and is very 

stable under cold conditions. The virus also is resistant to fermentation 

and smoking processes and may remain in hams for 180 days, sausages for 

more than 1 year, and processed intestinal casings for more than 2 years 

(USDA, APHIS, 2006). 

FMD is a contagious disease affecting cloven-hooved animals, including 

sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs, and well over 70 wildlife species, such as 

deer and wild boar. The incubation period for FMD is 2 to 14 days. FMD 

virus is capable of aerosol transmission, and saliva, feces, and urine are 

sources of FMD virus. FMD virus may also be present in milk and semen 

up to 4 days before clinical signs appear (USDA, APHIS, 2006). The 

virus can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected animals 
6

or an infected environment, such as movement of people, wild or domestic 

animals, or inanimate objects (such as vehicles, farm implements, and 

clothing); long-range airborne transmission is also possible (USDA, 

APHIS, 2007). The virus can survive in meat and meat products in which 

the pH has remained above 6.0 and thus can be transmitted by infected 

meat and meat products and through infected meat that has been discarded 

as garbage. Pig meat does not consistently reach as low an ultimate pH 

during carcass maturation as does beef, so the inactivation of FMD virus 

in pig meat may not be as complete as that occurring in beef (USDA, 

APHIS, 2007).

Rinderpest is an infectious disease of cattle, domestic buffalo, and certain 

other species. It is characterized by fever, oral erosions, diarrhea, 

lymphoid necrosis, and high mortality.

The potential for impacts on the human environment from the importation 

of swine and ruminant commodities from Slovenia is dependent upon the 

ability of mitigative factors and mitigation measures to prevent the 

introduction of the diseases of concern via the biological pathways of 

transmission of the diseases. This section addresses the potential 

environmental impacts that could occur under the alternatives considered.

B. No Action Alternative

The “no action” alternative would not allow swine, ruminants, or swine 

and ruminant commodities to be imported from Slovenia; the current rules 

governing the importation of these commodities would remain unchanged 

with regard to Slovenia. This alternative would have no potential effect 

on U.S. animal health, public health, or the physical environment. This 

alternative, however, is inconsistent with the requirements of international 

trade agreements. 

C. Rule Amendment Alternative

The rule amendment alternative would allow the importation of swine and

ruminant commodities from Slovenia according to certain requirements 

that are designed to prevent the introduction of CSF, SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest. Any potential for impacts to the human environment would be 

the result of exposure to the CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest virus via a 

breakdown in the requirements that are designed to mitigate the risk of 

exposure of U.S. livestock to these viruses. Animal health, the physical 

environment, and public health are addressed in this document as 

components of the U.S. human environment that have the potential to be 

impacted in the event that the CSF, SVD, FMD or rinderpest virus were to 

be introduced as a result of the rule amendment. Also, other 
7

environmental review considerations for the protection of the human 

environment are addressed in this section of the EA.

When allowing imports of live animals or animal products from other 

regions, the health of animals in the region of origin and the region’s 

ability to prevent introduction of animal diseases is important in 

determining the risk to the health of U.S. animals. APHIS evaluated the 

animal health status of the exporting region, Slovenia, the results of which 

are provided in a risk analysis (USDA, APHIS, 2007).

APHIS determined that CSF was last reported in domestic swine on a 

small farm in Slovenia in 1996 (USDA, APHIS, 2007). Vaccination 

against CSF has not been practiced since October 2000. Slovenia has 

never reported SVD, last reported an FMD outbreak in 1968, and 

experienced its last outbreak of rinderpest in 1883. The OIE recognizes 

Slovenia as FMD-free where vaccination is not practiced.

Slovenia shares a border with Austria to the north, Italy to the west, 

Hungary to the upper northeast, Croatia to the south and lower northeast,

and the Adriatic Sea to the southwest. The APHIS evaluation provided 

the animal health status of each of these countries with regard to CSF, 

SVD, and FMD as follows:

Austria – APHIS has evaluated Austria for it animal health disease status 

and considers Austria low risk for CSF and free of SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest. Austria is classified by OIE as a Member Country recognized 

as FMD-free without vaccination.

Italy – APHIS considers Italy a low risk region for CSF and free of FMD

and rinderpest. APHIS considers certain regions of Italy free of SVD. 

Italy is classified by OIE as a Member Country recognized as FMD-free 

without vaccination.

Hungary – APHIS considers Hungary free of SVD and rinderpest, and 

Hungary is classified by OIE as a Member Country recognized as FMDfree without vaccination. APHIS is currently evaluating Hungary for its 

CSF status. CSF is found in Hungary’s wild boar population; however, 

the disease has not been transmitted to commercial swine in Hungary, and 

there is no evidence available to APHIS that infected wild boars have 

migrated into Slovenia. 

Croatia – APHIS has not evaluated Croatia for FMD, rinderpest, and SVD. 

Croatia has experienced recent outbreaks of CSF and ceased CSF 

vaccination in domestic pigs in January 2005. Concerned about the risk 

this poses, Slovenia strengthened CSF surveillance in the bordering region 

(10 km zone) with Croatia, which APHIS considers to be a reasonable risk 

1. Animal 

 Health
8

mitigation. Croatia is classified by OIE as an EU Member State

recognized as FMD-free without vaccination.

The risk analysis (USDA, APHIS, 2007) assessed main pathways,4

identified in the release assessment discussion, by which the CSF, SVD, 

and/or FMD and Rinderpest viruses could be introduced into Slovenia 

from other EU Member States or affected third countries, thereby 

potentially resulting in risk to U.S. animals by allowing the importation of 

swine and ruminant commodities from Slovenia. The introduction of 

these diseases into Slovenia by the identified pathways would only affect 

export risk to the United States if a susceptible domestic animal 

population became infected and this infection was not detected prior to 

export. Slovenia has in place mitigating factors and mitigation measures, 

including requirements under EC legislation, that are designed to reduce 

the risk of disease introduction. These include, but are not limited to, the 

following:

- Imported animals and animal products must originate from 

authorized third countries;

- Comprehensive certification requirements for imported swine and 

ruminant (for FMD purposes) commodities from third countries, 

including certification of disease status, and signature on the 

certificate by an official veterinarian of the country of origin are in 

place;

- A comprehensive and rigorous approval process for exporting 

establishments (including slaughter establishments and semen 

collection centers) is in place;

- Imported live animals must undergo a mandatory observation period 

and veterinary inspection prior to shipment and another veterinary

inspection at the port of entry into the EU;

- Export or trade establishments must be approved; and

- Standard biosecurity measures are in place for disinfection of livehaul trucks and other vehicular traffic entering from neighboring 

third countries at a border inspection port with veterinary inspection 

and require disinfection of live-haul trucks after each transport.

The risk estimation concludes that the risk of infected live swine and 

ruminants, or commodities derived from these species, entering the United 

States from Slovenia and exposing U.S. livestock is low (USDA, APHIS, 

2007). This risk is further mitigated if Slovenia is subject to the same 

requirements specified for other EU Member States in APHIS’ regulations 

under 9 CFR § 94.11 for meat and meat products from ruminants or swine, 

§§ 94.13 and 94.24 for pork and pork products, § 94.24 for breeding 

 

4

 (1) Natural movements of wild animals, (2) import, transit, or trade of infected live animals or animal 

products, (3) incoming vehicular and human traffic, and (4) incoming agricultural commodities for 

personal consumption.
9

swine, and § 98.38 for swine semen. The requirements specified in 

APHIS regulations are designed to prevent the introduction of CSF, SVD, 

FMD or rinderpest into the United States from free or low-risk regions and 

include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Official certification of the CSF-, SVD-, and/or rinderpest- and 

FMD-free origin of swine, ruminants, and swine and ruminant 

commodities is required;

- Approval of exporting slaughtering establishments by USDA’s Food 

Safety and Inspection Service is required and an official veterinarian 

of the exporting country must certify that this condition has been 

met;

- The slaughtering establishment is not permitted to receive swine or 

ruminants, meat, or other animal products derived from swine or 

ruminants, which originated in a rinderpest- or FMD-infected region;

- The slaughtering establishment is not permitted to receive meat or 

other animal products from a rinderpest- or FMD-free region 

transported through a rinderpest- or FMD-infected region except in 

sealed containers;

- Meat and other animal products derived from swine or ruminants 

may not be commingled or otherwise come into contact with meat or 

other animals products which originated in a rinderpest- or FMDinfected region;

- Swine, pork, or pork products may not be commingled or otherwise 

come into contact with swine, pork, or pork products from CSF- or 

SVD-affected regions; 

- Semen must originate from animals at an approved collection center; 

and 

- Certain restrictions on the use of transportation equipment for live 

swine and movement of the commodities are in place. 

Based on the results of the release assessment discussed in APHIS’ 

evaluation (USDA, APHIS, 2007), APHIS considers the likelihood of 

exposure of susceptible animals to CSF virus via live animals from 

Slovenia to be low, and the likelihood of exposure to SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest viruses via this pathway to be very low. With the mitigation 

measures for live swine described in 9 CFR § 94.24, which further limit 

the sourcing of swine for export, the likelihood of exposure of susceptible 

U.S. swine to CSF virus via infected swine from Slovenia is very low. 

Applying mitigation measures for Slovenia equivalent to those specified 

for other EU Member States in 9 CFR §§ 94.11, 94.13, 94.24, and 98.38 

would result in a level of risk that is equivalent to the portion of the EU 

that is authorized to export breeding swine, swine semen, and fresh meat 

and meat products to the United States (USDA, APHIS, 2007).

If the proposed action were implemented and an incursion of CSF, SVD, 
10

FMD, or rinderpest were to occur in an area of Slovenia, APHIS 

regulations would prohibit for a specified period of time the exportation of 

swine commodities and, in the case of FMD or rinderpest, ruminants or 

ruminant commodities as well, from the affected area that could be 

effectively regionalized for disease status.5 For a CSF outbreak in 

domestic swine, restrictions would be lifted once the designation as a 

restricted zone is lifted by the competent veterinary authority of Slovenia

or 6 months following depopulation of the swine on the affected premises 

in the restricted zone and the cleaning and disinfection of the last affected 

premises in the zone, whichever is later. For a CSF outbreak in wild boar, 

restrictions would remain in place from the time of detection until the 

designation of the zone as a restricted zone is removed by the Member 

State’s competent veterinary authority. For an outbreak of SVD, FMD, or 

rinderpest, restrictions would remain in place until the restricted region 

was re-evaluated for disease-free status. 

If CSF, SVD, FMD, or rinderpest were introduced into the United States, 

APHIS would implement disease eradication measures, which could 

include quarantine and depopulation in areas where an effective barrier to 

the introduction of the disease can be established, surveillance of the area 

around an outbreak, and measures aimed at preventing any virus spread by 

swine or ruminant commodities, contaminated material, and vehicles. 

FMD or rinderpest could have more of an impact on U.S. animal health 

than CSF or SVD in that FMD or rinderpest could spread to other 

livestock species, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, and wildlife species, 

such as deer, elk, caribou, and bison. 

If the introduction of CSF, SVD, FMD, or rinderpest to U.S. swine were 

to occur, potential for impacts to the physical environment could occur in 

relation to disposal of carcasses due to death from disease and 

depopulation of infected animals or disposal of contaminated bedding and 

manure. Disposal methods could include rendering, burial, and 

incineration. If not handled properly, disposal of infected animals and 

materials could impact air, water, and soil quality and potentially could 

release the live CSF, SVD, FMD or rinderpest virus into the environment. 

Factors influencing proper disposal methods include the volume of 

infected animals and contaminated materials, geographic features of the 

 

5

 According to the associated risk analysis, APHIS considers the region to constitute the smallest 

administrative jurisdiction for Slovenia, ensuring effective oversight of normal animal movements into, 

out of, and within that jurisdiction, and that, in association with national authorities, if necessary, has 

effective control over animal movements and animal diseases locally. This is the smallest unit to 

which APHIS can effectively regionalize for animal disease status under its current regulations. 

Exclusively for veterinary purposes, Slovenia has 13 administrative regions. Division into regional 

units is reflected in the EU’s veterinary notification and/or communication systems, ADNS (Animal 

Disease Notification System) and TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System). APHIS concludes 

that Slovenia’s regional veterinary offices contribute significantly to the veterinary infrastructure. 

Regional offices (ROs) are well-established and clear channels of command and communication exist 

for interactions with the central authority. ROs are capable of delivering Slovenia’s veterinary 

services at a local level and resolving animal health issues that arise (USDA, APHIS, 2007).

2. Physical 

Environment
11

area (e.g., water resources and soil type), other physical environment 

considerations (such as weather and temperature), and available funds, 

equipment, and personnel. 

Potential for impacts to the physical environment from the introduction of 

CSF, SVD, FMD, or rinderpest could occur in relation to the use of 

disinfectants to prevent the transfer of the CSF, SVD, FMD or rinderpest 

virus from surfaces. As part of an eradication program, measures aimed at 

preventing spread of the CSF, SVD, FMD, or rinderpest virus, including 

disinfection of equipment, transport vehicles, and/or premises where 

infected swine or ruminants were maintained, would be required in order 

to prevent mechanical transfer of the virus. Disinfectants used for such 

purposes would have to be approved for the specific use with the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency and used according to registration 

requirements. Label instructions for disinfectants would be provided for 

their proper application to prevent potential environmental impacts 

associated with the use of the registered product.

The risk analysis that evaluates the animal health status of swine in 

Slovenia concludes from the release assessment that Slovenia is low risk 

for CSF, and free of SVD, FMD, and rinderpest (USDA, APHIS, 2007). 

APHIS further concludes from the exposure assessment in the risk 

analysis that the likelihood of exposure of susceptible U.S. livestock to 

CSF, SVD, FMD, or rinderpest viruses via meat or meat products, live 

animals, or genetic material from Slovenia is low. Implementation of 

mitigation measures specified in 9 CFR § 94.11 for FMD, in 9 CFR § 

94.13 for SVD, and in 9 CFR §§ 94.24 and 98.38 for CSF further mitigate 

the risk. Cumulatively, therefore, APHIS considers the risk potential for 

introduction of these hazards from Slovenia into the United States via 

export of swine and ruminant commodities and subsequent infection in 

U.S. livestock to be low (USDA, APHIS, 2007). The conditions, or 

mitigation measures, that would be required to be met in order to comply 

with APHIS import regulations for swine and ruminant commodities from 

Slovenia are designed to prevent the introduction of CSF, SVD, FMD, and 

rinderpest into the United States. Under the proposed action, no 

significant impact on the physical environment as a result of allowing the 

importation of swine or swine products from Slovenia is reasonably

foreseeable. 

 

CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest virus strains are host-specific, and, 

therefore, CSF, SVD, FMD, and rinderpest infections are not a public 

health issue (USDA, APHIS, 2006). The occurrence of the SVD virus in 

humans is rare; human infection has been reported in laboratory personnel 

working with the SVD virus, and caution should be taken when working 

with infected material. CSF does not affect humans (The Center for Food 

Security & Public Health, 2005). FMD infection in humans, spread 

3. Public 

Health
12

through contact with infected animals, is rare (Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, 2006). 

a. Environmental Executive Orders

Some executive orders such as Executive Order 13045, Protection of 

Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks, and 

Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice 

in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, and departmental 

or agency directives require special environmental reviews in certain 

circumstances. In considering these additional review requirements, no 

circumstance that would trigger the need for special environmental 

reviews is involved in implementing the proposed action considered in this 

document. The rule amendment alternative presents no risk to the health 

or safety of children and will not result in disproportionately high and 

adverse human health and/or environmental effects on any minority 

populations and/or low-income populations in the United States.

b. Endangered Species Act

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its implementing 

regulations require Federal agencies to ensure that their actions are not 

likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened 

species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical 

habitat. APHIS has considered the potential effects of the proposed action 

on endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitat. CSF 

and SVD are host specific, and there are no known federally listed or 

proposed endangered or threatened species in the United States that would 

be affected by CSF or SVD; therefore, the rule amendment will have no 

effect on endangered or threatened species in the United States or critical 

habitat. However, six endangered species are susceptible to FMD (see 

table 1).

4. Additional 

Environmental 

Review 

Considerations
13

Table 1. Endangered species in the United States susceptible to foot and 

mouth disease. 

APHIS conducted a risk analysis and determined that the risk of infected 

swine and ruminant commodities entering the United States from Slovenia

and exposing U.S. livestock to FMD is low (USDA, APHIS, 2007). This 

risk would be further mitigated by requiring implementation of the 

measures outlined in 9 CFR § 94.11 that place restrictions on the 

importation of meat and other animal products derived from ruminants and 

swine that originate from regions which are free of FMD but share a 

common land border with regions designated as infected with FMD.

Based upon the effectiveness of the mitigation measures included in 

9 CFR § 94.11 and the low likelihood of exposure of U.S. livestock to 

FMD virus, implementation of the rulemaking is expected to have no 

effect on federally listed endangered species or designated critical habitat. 

Common Name Scientific Name Critical 

Habitat

Listing 

Status

Woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou No Endangered

Columbian white-tailed 

deer

Odocoileus virginianus 

leuceurus

No

Key deer Odocoileus virginianus 

clavium

No

Sonoran pronghorn Antilocapra americana 

sonoriensis

No

Bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis Yes

Sierra Nevada bighorn 

sheep

Ovis canadensis sierrae Yes
14

IV. Agencies or Persons Contacted

Environmental and Risk Analysis Services

Policy and Program Development, APHIS, USDA 

4700 River Road, Unit 149

Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

V. References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006. Foot-and-mouth 

disease. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/doc.do/id/0900f3ec8024f90b. 

The Center for Food Security and Public Health, 2005. Classical swine 

fever. College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University. Ames, IA. 

Last updated August 2, 2005. Available at 

http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/classical_swine_fever.pdf. 

Accessed 7/17/2008.

USDA, APHIS—See U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service, 2006. APHIS evaluation of the status of Latvia regarding 

classical swine fever, swine vesicular disease, and foot and mouth disease. 

April 2006. Veterinary Services, National Center for Import and Export, 

Riverdale, MD.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service, Veterinary Services, 2007. APHIS import risk analysis of the 

Republic of Slovenia for classical swine fever, swine vesicular disease, 

and foot and mouth disease. October 2007. Veterinary Services, National 

Center for Import and Export, Riverdale, MD.