Finding of No Significant Impact 

for the 

Final Rulemaking for the Importation of Swine Commodities from Estonia, Environmental 

Assessment, May 2011 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (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-risk region for 

classical swine fever (CSF) and a region free of swine vesicular disease (SVD), thus allowing the 

importation of swine and swine commodities from Estonia. The EA, "Final Rulemaking for the 

Importation of Swine Commodities from Estonia," is incorporated by reference in this document 

and is available from the address below: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 


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 considered two alternatives: (l) "No Action," which would not change the current 

regulations and therefore would not list Estonia as low risk for CSF or free of SVD and (2) the 

rule amendment alternative (the preferred alternative) that would list Estonia as a low-risk region 

for CSF and a region free of swine vesicular disease (SVD) and thereby allow, under certain 

requirements and conditions, the importation of swine and swine commodities from Estonia to the 

United States. The rule amendment is the preferred alternative because it would not likely result 

in the introduction ofCSF or SVD from the importation of swine commodities from Estonia. 

Further, the rule amendment will facilitate trade while protecting against the introduction of 

animal disease into the United States. 

APHIS has determined that no significant impact would occur to the 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 of the risk of introduction of CSF or SVD 

from swine or swine commodities from Estonia and requirements and conditions in APHIS 

regulations that serve as safeguards to further negate or reduce the potential for environmental 

consequences. 

I find that rule amendment poses 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 of environmental justice, 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 that the 

actions that would be undertaken also comply with the policy of Executive Order 13045, 

"Protection ofChildren From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks." 
Lastly, because I have not found evidence of significant 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 may be implemented. 

Gary S. C 

I', ZAJrl 

Date 

Sanitary T e Issues Team 

National Center for Import and Export 

Veterinary Services 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service