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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16616-16620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07212]

========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 60 / Monday, March 30, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 16616]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0013]

Notice of Determination of the African Horse Sickness Status of 
Saudi Arabia

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public of our determination that Saudi 
Arabia is free of African horse sickness (AHS). Based on our evaluation 
of the animal health status of Saudi Arabia, which we made available to 
the public for review and comment through a previous notice, the 
Administrator has determined that AHS is not present in Saudi Arabia 
and that the importation of horses, mules, zebras, and other equids 
from Saudi Arabia presents a low risk of introducing AHS into the 
United States.

DATES: Effective March 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Chip Wells, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Regionalization Evaluation Services, Sanitary Trade 
Issues Team, National Import Export Services, VS, APHIS, 4700 River 
Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-3300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 (referred 
to below as the regulations) prescribe the conditions for the 
importation into the United States of specified animals to prevent the 
introduction of various animal diseases, including African horse 
sickness (AHS). AHS is a fatal viral equine disease that is not known 
to exist in the United States.
    Within part 93, Sec.  93.308 contains requirements governing the 
importation of horses, mules, zebras, and other equids from regions 
where AHS exists in order to prevent the introduction of AHS into the 
United States. Equids from countries where AHS exists are eligible for 
importation into the United States only after undergoing a 60-day 
quarantine.
    The regulations in 9 CFR part 92, Sec.  92.2 (hereafter referred to 
as the ``regulations''), contain requirements for requesting the 
recognition of the animal health status of a region or for the approval 
of the export of a particular type of animal or animal product to the 
United States from a foreign region. If, after review and evaluation of 
the information submitted in support of the request the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) believes the request can be 
safely granted, APHIS will make its evaluation available for public 
comment through a notice published in the Federal Register. Following 
the close of the comment period, APHIS will review all comments 
received and will make a final determination regarding the request that 
will be detailed in another notice published in the Federal Register.
    On June 12, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR 
33714-33715, Docket No. APHIS-2014-0013) a notice \1\ in which we 
announced the availability for review and comment of our evaluation of 
the animal health status of Saudi Arabia relative to AHS. In that 
document, titled ``APHIS Evaluation of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) 
Status of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'' (November 2013), we presented 
the results of our evaluation of the risk of introducing AHS into the 
United States via the importation of equids from Saudi Arabia.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, the assessment, and the comments we 
received, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-
2014-0013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We solicited comments on the notice for 60 days ending on August 
11, 2014. We received 11 comments by that date, from industry groups 
and State departments of agriculture. The comments we received are 
discussed below by topic.

Disease Status

    The majority of commenters expressed concern regarding APHIS' 
recognition of Saudi Arabia as free of AHS because the World 
Organization of Animal Health (OIE) does not currently recognize Saudi 
Arabia as free of AHS. Two commenters asked whether Saudi Arabia has 
petitioned OIE to be recognized as free of AHS.
    APHIS evaluations of animal disease status of countries are 
conducted independently of OIE evaluations in accordance with OIE 
standards for importing countries. Upon request by the Government of 
Saudi Arabia, APHIS conducted an import risk assessment using the 
guidelines established in the regulations. As a result of that 
assessment, APHIS concluded that Saudi Arabia is free of AHS.
    OIE only recently (May 2014) began official recognition of the AHS 
status of regions in the world. Countries must formally request OIE 
recognition and submit a dossier of supporting information. APHIS' 
evaluation of Saudi Arabia was completed prior to May 2014 when OIE 
first published its list of regions recognized as AHS-free. APHIS has 
been informed by Saudi Arabian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) officials 
that Saudi Arabia intends within the next few months to submit 
documentation to OIE requesting AHS-free recognition.
    Several commenters expressed concern regarding the adequacy of the 
research leading to our conclusion that Saudi Arabia is free of AHS. 
Four commenters noted that the information used to support that 
conclusion was provided by Saudi Arabia.
    APHIS evaluates the best available information in accordance with 
our regulations and with international standards set by the OIE under 
chapter 2.1 of their Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Often the best and 
only information available is supplied by the requesting country, 
although, whenever possible, APHIS considers third party information 
that is reliable and in accord with current scientific thinking. This 
practice is consistent with United States Government obligations under 
applicable international treaties governing trade.
    One commenter was concerned that AHS has previously been present 
within Saudi Arabia.
    The last case of AHS in Saudi Arabia was in 1989 and no further 
outbreaks have been reported since that time. The international 
standard for AHS-freedom set by OIE is 2 years without an outbreak. 
Saudi Arabia exceeds this time standard by more than 23 years. 
Furthermore, multiple surveillance studies since 1992 have not 
demonstrated the presence of AHS virus in the country. Saudi Arabian 
law

[[Page 16617]]

requires mandatory notification of AHS virus throughout the country and 
AHS vaccination is prohibited. Based on these and other factors 
described in the risk assessment, APHIS has concluded that Saudi Arabia 
is free of AHS.

Surveillance and Control Measures

    Many commenters stated that they had no confidence in Saudi 
Arabia's surveillance and control measures for AHS given its limited 
number of veterinarians and/or clinics in relation to the country's 
size or the size of its equid population. Two commenters expressed 
concern whether veterinarians in Saudi Arabia are qualified to diagnose 
cases of AHS.
    APHIS evaluated the veterinary infrastructure of Saudi Arabia and 
concluded that it has a sufficient number of competent veterinarians to 
effectively manage its import/export surveillance and AHS disease 
control responsibilities. Saudi Arabia is roughly one fifth the size of 
the United States. However, most of the country is uninhabited desert. 
Therefore, its horse population is concentrated in several small areas, 
particularly the cities of Taif and Riyadh where most major equestrian 
events and races occur. In addition, the horse population of Saudi 
Arabia is estimated to be 16,500, which is relatively small in 
comparison to the estimated 9 million horses in the United States.
    Saudi Arabia's MOA has an office within each of Saudi Arabia's 13 
provinces, as well as over 190 branch offices and veterinary clinics in 
local communities throughout the kingdom. A total of 389 veterinarians 
and 210 veterinary assistants work under the MOA. These branch offices 
provide veterinary services for treatment of farm and pet animals in 
addition to official animal health control measures such as 
vaccination, sampling, and agriculture extension work. The Ministry 
also operates 39 mobile veterinary clinics out of the provincial or 
branch offices throughout the kingdom. There are also 80 private 
veterinary clinics in the kingdom.
    There are two veterinary colleges in Saudi Arabia: King Faisal 
University in Al-Hofouf and King Saud University in Al Qassim. APHIS 
reviewed documentation of the AHS training program offered by the MOA 
to Saudi Arabian veterinarians in cooperation with these colleges and 
concluded that the content was comparable to training offered in the 
United States and is taught by well-qualified, internationally 
credentialed veterinary school faculty.
    Several commenters expressed concern that the methodology behind 
AHS surveillance in Saudi Arabia was not explained in more detail and 
suggested that more surveillance be conducted. Two commenters stated 
that, although our evaluation cites the sampling of 750 horses and 
donkeys between 1997 and 2009, it fails to explain how animals were 
chosen for sampling or how the survey was conducted.
    The MOA conducted six AHS surveillance surveys between 1997 and 
2009. Surveys were conducted in 1997, 1999, 2001-2002, 2005, 2008, and 
2009. APHIS evaluated the surveillance data and summarized their 
results in our evaluation. Several commenters incorrectly stated that 
750 samples were collected during the period of 1997-2009. As mentioned 
in our evaluation of the animal health status of Saudi Arabia relative 
to AHS, a total of 750 animals (460 donkeys and 290 horses) in Saudi 
Arabia, out of an approximate population of 13,000, were sampled in 
1997 alone. That number was chosen to provide 99 percent confidence of 
detecting AHS infection at a prevalence level of 1 percent. Samples 
were randomly selected with no more than five samples collected in any 
single stable or village and were collected in all regions of the 
country. However, a greater emphasis was placed on targeting samples, 
especially in donkeys, in the southwestern AHS control zone. Donkeys 
were targeted for increased sampling since that species would have an 
increased likelihood of subclinical infection and their population was 
higher in the AHS control zone. The AHS control zone is a region in the 
southwestern portion of Saudi Arabia bordering Yemen that acts as a 
buffer to separate the area where reintroduction of AHS would most 
likely occur. No equids from the control zone are allowed entry into 
the rest of Saudi Arabia and no equids from Yemen are allowed into 
Saudi Arabia. Test results indicated that no active AHS infection was 
present in the sampled animals.
    Subsequent surveys collected additional samples in both nationwide 
and regionally targeted surveys. In 1999, the MOA conducted a smaller 
nationwide AHS statistical survey as a follow-up to the 1997 survey. In 
that survey, 250 samples were randomly collected from all regions of 
the country. The 2001-2002 survey collected 324 samples and targeted 
both animals in the AHS control zone and competition horses primarily 
stabled in the Riyadh area. The 2005 survey, which tested 79 samples, 
was conducted only in the southwest AHS control zone. The 2008 and 2009 
surveys, both of which also focused on animals in the AHS control zone, 
collected 167 and 125 samples respectively. None of the surveys found 
evidence of viral activity. Animals that showed low level titers on the 
initial screening were retested after 30 and 60 days and titers were 
found to be either stable, decreased, or absent. Therefore, APHIS 
concluded that the surveys were statistically valid and sufficiently 
demonstrated AHS freedom.
    In addition to these surveys, active surveillance data was 
collected from the pre-export testing of horses leaving Saudi Arabia. A 
total of 4,055 horses tested negative for AHS before being exported 
from Saudi Arabia between 1999 and 2011. All imported equids must test 
negative for AHS before being admitted into the country.
    Two commenters expressed concern regarding Saudi Arabia's lack of a 
written emergency response plan to deal with a potential AHS outbreak. 
The commenters asked how, without a written emergency response plan, 
MOA can ensure that passive surveillance is done correctly and adheres 
to all MOA rules and regulations. The commenters further asked how MOA 
can maintain that Saudi Arabia is AHS free when horses could show 
clinical signs of AHS and be euthanized and buried without the MOA ever 
knowing about it.
    As mentioned in the risk assessment, APHIS recommended to the MOA 
that Saudi Arabia would benefit by having a written AHS emergency 
response plan, along with periodic training and scenario exercises to 
simulate its implementation even though AHS virus has been absent in 
the country for a quarter century. APHIS believes that a written 
emergency plan would enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to quickly respond 
in the event of reintroduction of AHS. A quick response to detect, 
contain, and eradicate any AHS reintroduction would minimize disruption 
of trade. However, APHIS concludes that the lack of a written response 
plan does not preclude removal of Saudi Arabia from the list of regions 
APHIS considers affected with AHS. Reoccurrence of AHS in the country 
would result in suspension of equine trade. Resumption of trade would 
be dependent on subsequent control and eradication. APHIS believes that 
if the MOA has a written AHS emergency response plan then the length of 
time needed for this process would be minimized.
    Compulsory notification of AHS suspicion and an effective 
veterinary infrastructure are necessary components of an AHS passive 
surveillance system. Saudi Arabian law requires notification of AHS 
suspicion. Based on

[[Page 16618]]

observations cited in our evaluation, APHIS concludes that the MOA is 
an effective central veterinary authority and provides veterinary 
services at the regional and local levels. Specifically, APHIS cites 
MOA's strategy of directly providing veterinary services though 
government operated veterinary clinics. The MOA employs a total of 389 
veterinarians and 210 veterinary assistants and operates 39 mobile 
veterinary clinics. APHIS believes this practice encourages horse 
owners to call and report suspicious signs and symptoms of illness to 
ministry officials. In addition to the MOA veterinary clinics, there 
are 80 private veterinary clinics operating in Saudi Arabia. Similar to 
the United States, professional ethics and standards encourage 
compliance with the notification requirement for AHS suspicion.
    While it is possible that AHS-infected horses could be euthanized 
and buried without being reported to the MOA, this possibility exists 
for any country in the world and APHIS believes it to be an unlikely 
scenario. Reintroduction of AHS into Saudi Arabia would likely result 
in multiple cases with high mortality, an event that would be difficult 
to keep hidden. Because vaccination has been illegal for over 11 years, 
Saudi Arabia now has a large number of AHS-susceptible equids. These 
animals functionally serve as sentinels for the disease. APHIS believes 
the number of unvaccinated equids is sufficiently high that AHS would 
be observed if it were present.

Border Controls

    Many commenters expressed their belief that Saudi Arabia's borders 
are ``porous.'' The commenters expressed concerns that equids, 
including feral horses and donkeys, could enter Saudi Arabia from 
neighboring countries such as Oman and Yemen that are not free of AHS 
and subsequently enter the United States without being subject to the 
60-day quarantine or potentially infect other equids that could enter 
the United States without being subject to the 60-day quarantine. Two 
commenters asked for evidence that MOA has conducted active 
surveillance of the country's feral population of non-horse equids to 
establish their freedom from evidence of AHS.
    APHIS evaluated Saudi Arabia's border controls, including those 
along its southern border with Yemen and Oman where illegal entry of 
equids could pose a pathway for AHS introduction. APHIS recognizes the 
potential for illegal smuggling along many international borders where 
land crossing is possible. However, the extremely harsh desert along 
Saudi Arabia's border with Oman and much of Yemen provides a natural 
barrier that is considered to be sufficient to prevent the illegal 
entry of equids into Saudi Arabia. In addition, Saudi Arabia's 
southwest border with Yemen is very mountainous and contains a very 
limited number of potential routes for horses and donkeys to cross into 
Saudi Arabia. These mountain passes are regularly patrolled by Saudi 
Arabia's Al-Mujahedeen (border guards). APHIS considers the potential 
of being caught by these border patrols and the resultant consequences 
to be sufficient to deter the illegal smuggling of horses and donkeys 
into the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, as stated 
previously, this southwest region is included in the AHS control zone 
from which movement of equids to the remainder of Saudi Arabia, as well 
as to any third country, is prohibited. Thus the AHS control zone 
provides a second layer of movement controls. Saudi Arabia lacks feral 
equid populations. Therefore, surveillance of these populations is not 
necessary or possible. In addition, as stated previously, all equids 
must test negative for AHS before being imported into Saudi Arabia. For 
these reasons, APHIS considers the illegal movement of horses from Oman 
and Yemen to the United States via Saudi Arabia extremely unlikely.
    As mentioned in our evaluation, the MOA operates a border 
inspection post on King Fahad's causeway, which connects Saudi Arabia 
with Bahrain. That causeway is the only land crossing between the two 
countries. Two commenters expressed concern regarding oversight of the 
diplomatic lane on the causeway that is reserved for use by royal 
families and high government officials, citing the illegal movement of 
eight horses from Bahrain through this lane. The commenters asked how 
long the horses were in Saudi Arabia before it was determined they were 
imported illegally, how many other horses they came into contact with, 
and whether the incident led to greater oversight or a change in 
regulations regarding the diplomatic lane.
    All horses, regardless of consignee, entering Saudi Arabia are 
required to have an import permit and are required to stop at the 
border inspection station for document review and inspection. At the 
time of the cited incident, Saudi Arabia prohibited the importation of 
equids from Bahrain due to an outbreak of glanders in that country. 
Despite these movement restrictions, individuals illegally moved eight 
horses into Saudi Arabia by taking advantage of diplomatic courtesies. 
However, secondary safeguards that regulate and control animal 
identification and internal movement resulted in prompt detection and 
seizure of these eight horses within 1 day, upon arrival at their 
intended destination in the Riyadh area. Lacking proper documentation 
of border inspection, these animals were promptly seized and 
quarantined before having contact with any other horses. MOA officials 
indicated that the Government of Saudi Arabia has been in discussions 
with the Government of Bahrain regarding the misuse of the diplomatic 
lanes. APHIS considers this quick response to be evidence of the 
efficacy of Saudi Arabia's animal movement controls and gives us 
confidence in Saudi Arabia's commitment and ability to enforce its 
import regulations.

Vectors

    Many commenters expressed concern regarding the possibility of AHS 
being introduced into Saudi Arabia via wind-borne insect vectors from 
regions where AHS is present. Two commenters asked how APHIS can 
consider the desert along Saudi Arabia's southern border an effective 
natural barrier against the introduction of AHS when AHS vectors can 
cross the Bab el-Mandeb, a 20 mile wide strait separating Djibouti and 
Yemen.
    APHIS acknowledges the presence of competent AHS vectors in Saudi 
Arabia. However despite their presence, surveillance over an extended 
period of time has not detected the presence of the AHS virus in the 
country. Although theoretically plausible, the introduction of AHS into 
Saudi Arabia from endemic areas of Africa via windblown virus-infected 
vectors has never been documented. The southwestern corner of Saudi 
Arabia is approximately 160 miles from Eritrea. Furthermore, the 
southwestern coastal region of Saudi Arabia is separated from the 
remainder of the country by a mountain range that is sufficiently high 
to be considered a natural barrier for spread of the insect vectors 
capable of transmitting the AHS virus. As described in our evaluation, 
this region is incorporated into Saudi Arabia's AHS control zone from 
which equine movement to the remainder of the country is prohibited and 
is an area of intensified AHS surveillance. APHIS considers 
surveillance conducted in this region reasonable to detect potential 
AHS reintroduction. The remainder of Saudi Arabia's southern border 
with Yemen and Oman is also protected by a natural barrier. The Rub al 
Khali, or

[[Page 16619]]

``Empty Quarter,'' is a vast uninhabited desert where conditions are 
inhospitable for life.
    Historical incursions of AHS have been associated with the movement 
of infected horses. Because the focus of the evaluation was on Saudi 
Arabia, APHIS did not mention, but does consider, Bab el Mandeb to be a 
natural barrier for equid movements between Djibouti and Yemen. While 
APHIS considers Djibouti, as well as most of the African continent, to 
be AHS-affected, Djibouti has never reported outbreaks of AHS to the 
OIE. AHS is endemic in central and southern Africa and periodically 
spreads to northern Africa and countries around the Mediterranean. 
Saudi Arabia is separated from Africa by the Red Sea, which also serves 
as a natural barrier for equid movement. Equine movement restrictions 
and the natural barrier of the mountains and desert significantly 
reduce the risk of spreading AHS virus into other areas of the country.

Benefits and Impacts

    Several commenters noted that only eight horses were imported into 
the United States from Saudi Arabia between 1999 and 2011. Given the 
low number of horse imports, the commenters questioned the benefit of 
increased trade with Saudi Arabia relative to the potential risk.
    APHIS believes that the low number of imports reflects the trade 
barrier created by the current 60-day quarantine requirement. We 
assessed the risk and found no scientific basis justifying the 
continued listing of Saudi Arabia as a region affected by AHS. 
Therefore, in accordance with United States obligations under the OIE's 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, APHIS is taking the action to 
remove Saudi Arabia from this list. As a result of this action, APHIS 
estimates the most likely effect will be an increase in the temporary 
movement of horses between Saudi Arabia and the United States for 
racing, competitions, and breeding. The current 60-day arrival 
quarantine required for horses entering the United States from Saudi 
Arabia is costly to horse owners (including U.S. owners) and creates 
hardships for maintaining the conditioning of competitive animals and 
care of breeding mares with foals. Horses currently move in and out of 
Saudi Arabia to the European Union and Arabian Gulf States for racing, 
competition, and breeding. Saudi horse owners have expressed the desire 
to compete in races and other equestrian competitions in the United 
States, as well as transport horses for breeding, but are inhibited by 
the cost and limitations of the current quarantine. APHIS cannot 
estimate with certainty the number of horse movements to and from Saudi 
Arabia that will result from this action. However, we believe the 
number to be relatively low.

Budget

    Table 1 in our evaluation shows the total budget for MOA's Animal 
and Plant Quarantine Department from 2011 to 2014. Saudi Arabia's 
animal disease control activities, including for AHS, are reflected in 
that budget. Two commenters noted that the budget for the Animal and 
Plant Quarantine Department increased by $4,571,259 since 2011 and 
asked how APHIS can be certain that the increase went to fund AHS 
control and surveillance activities. The commenters also asked what 
Saudi Arabia's Animal and Plant Quarantine Department's budget was in 
2009 and 2010.
    The budget figures cited in Table 1 of the evaluation reflect the 
total budget for MOA's Animal and Plant Quarantine Department. Each of 
those three annual budgets includes a line item of $3,999,465 
specifically earmarked as a contingency fund to respond to any foreign 
animal disease (FAD) emergency, including AHS. In addition, MOA 
officials have the option to request supplemental funding if emergency 
response costs exceed the appropriated contingency funds. The increase 
in the budgets over the 3 years reflects increases in the 
appropriations for veterinary personnel. Our evaluation reviewed the 
budgets for the 3 most current years and we believe that was sufficient 
to determine Saudi Arabia's ability to respond to an outbreak of AHS.

Impacts

    Many commenters expressed concern regarding the potential impacts 
to the U.S. horse industry if AHS were to enter the United States, 
including job losses, high mortality, and the potential destruction of 
the horse industry. Several commenters questioned whether APHIS has the 
resources to deal with a potential AHS outbreak in the United States.
    While APHIS agrees that the consequences of an AHS introduction 
into the United States could be severe, we do not believe that an 
outbreak would result in the catastrophic consequences the commenters 
describe. Such catastrophic consequences would be more likely 
associated with a highly contagious disease or one that spreads widely 
before detection. As stated in our evaluation, AHS is an infectious, 
but non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease with high 
mortality in horses and mules. Recent history indicates that AHS 
outbreaks in other countries have not resulted in widespread infection, 
including the 1989 outbreak in Saudi Arabia which was limited to 
affecting three horses. Disease controls currently available, such as 
diagnostic capabilities, vector controls, and vaccination, likely 
contribute to limiting the spread of AHS outbreaks. APHIS believes that 
an introduction of AHS into the United States would be quickly 
detected, contained, and eradicated. In the evaluation, APHIS 
considered the consequences of an AHS introduction along with the 
exposure and release risks and concluded the overall risk of 
introducing AHS into the United States via the importation of horses 
from Saudi Arabia to be very low.
    APHIS has resources and is prepared to respond to potential FAD 
outbreaks, including outbreaks of AHS. APHIS has established the 
Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP) to 
provide a framework for FAD preparedness and response. This document 
provides the response strategies, zone and premises designations, and 
critical activities for controlling, containing, and eradicating an 
FAD. It is available on our Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/documents_manuals/fadprep_manual_2.pdf. A companion document, the APHIS Foreign Animal 
Disease Framework: Roles and Coordination, provides an overview of FAD 
PReP, Federal roles, APHIS authorities and funding process, incident 
management, and communication strategy. This document is available at: 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/documents_manuals/fadprep_manual_1.pdf. Additional APHIS FAD emergency 
management documents may be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_animal_health%2Fsa_emergency_management%2Fct_fadprep.
    Our evaluation cites the statistic that the mortality rate for 
horses infected with AHS is 70 to 95 percent. Two commenters asked how 
APHIS can be sure of these numbers.
    The numbers cited come from the consensus of global scientific 
knowledge regarding the mortality rates described in our evaluation. 
Specifically, the mortality rate for horses infected with AHS was taken 
from the OIE Web site (http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Animal_

[[Page 16620]]

Health_in_the_World/docs/pdf/Disease_cards/AFRICAN_HORSE_SICKNESS.pdf) 
and the Iowa State University: The Center for Food Security & Public 
Health Web site (http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/african_horse_sickness.pdf).

Compensation

    Two commenters asked whether APHIS would be able to provide 
compensation for horses that may need to be euthanized for AHS.
    APHIS has the authority to provide indemnity in the case of an FAD 
outbreak. In the event of an FAD outbreak such as AHS, APHIS may 
consider indemnity funding. Specific decisions regarding indemnity 
would depend on the situation and available funding sources.
    Based on the evaluation and the reasons given in this document in 
response to comments, we are recognizing Saudi Arabia as free of AHS 
and removing it from the list of regions considered affected with AHS 
which is found on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport and following the link to ``Animal 
or Animal Product.'' Copies of the list are also available via postal 
mail, fax, or email from the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 
31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 24th day of March 2015.
Jere L. Dick,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07212 Filed 3-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
```