FindingofNo SignificantImpact for the Final Rulemaking for the Importation ofSwine Commodities from Estonia,Environmental Assessment, May 2011

The U.S. 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 that would list Estonia as a low-riskregion for classical swine fever (CSF) and a region free ofswine vesicular disease (SVD), thus allowing the importation ofswine and swine commodities from Estonia. The EA, "Final Rulemaking for the Importation ofSwine Commodities from Estonia," is incorporated byreference in this document and is available from the address below:

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

Riverdale, MD 20737

The EA consideredtwo alternatives: (l) "NoAction," which would not change the current regulations and therefore would not list Estonia as low riskfor CSF orfree ofSVD and (2) the rule amendment alternative (the preferred alternative) that would list Estonia as a low-riskregion for CSF and a region free ofswine vesicular disease (SVD) and thereby allow, under certain requirements and conditions, the importation ofswine and swine commodities from Estonia to the United States. The rule amendment is the preferred alternative because it would not likely result inthe introduction ofCSF or SVD from the importation ofswine commodities from Estonia. Further, therule amendment will facilitate trade while protecting against the introduction of animal disease intothe United States.

APHIS has determined that no significant impact would occur tothe human environment, which includes animal health, public health, and the physical environment, from the implementation of the rule amendment. Also, APHIS anticipates no effects on federally listed threatened or endangered species or their habitat. 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 supported by APHIS' evaluation ofthe risk ofintroduction ofCSF or SVD from swine or swine commodities from Estonia andrequirements and conditions in APHIS 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 withthe principles ofenvironmentaljustice, as stated in Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations." I also find that the rule amendment poses no disproportionate adverse effects to children and thatthe actions that wouldbeundertaken also comply withthe policy ofExecutive Order 13045, "Protection ofChildren From Environmental HealthRisks and Safety Risks."Lastly, because I have notfound evidence ofsignificant environmental impact associated with the rule amendment, I further find that an environmental impact statement does not need to be prepared and that the rule amendment maybe implemented.

Gary S. C 

## I', ZAJrl Date Sanitary T e Issues Team National Center for Import and Export Veterinary Services Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service