Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/04/20/01-9790/cattle-from-australia-and-new-zealand-testing-exemption
Timestamp: 2018-07-21 14:41:06
Document Index: 609981052

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 93', '§\u200993', '§\u200993', '§\u200993', '§\u200993', '§\u200993']

Federal Register :: Cattle from Australia and New Zealand; Testing Exemption
66 FR 20211
Docket No. 99-071-1
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/01-9790 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/01-9790
We are proposing to amend the regulations regarding the importation of cattle to exempt cattle imported from Australia from testing for brucellosis and tuberculosis prior to their export to the United States. We are also proposing to amend those regulations to exempt cattle imported from New Zealand from testing for brucellosis prior to their export to the United States. We have determined that cattle imported from Australia and New Zealand present a negligible risk of Start Printed Page 20212introducing brucellosis into the United States and that cattle imported from Australia present a negligible risk of introducing tuberculosis into the United States. This action would relieve certain testing requirements for cattle imported from Australia and New Zealand while continuing to protect against the introduction of communicable diseases of cattle into the United States.
Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket No. 99-071-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 99-071-1.
The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 (referred to below as the regulations) govern the importation into the United States of specified animals and animal products to prevent the introduction into the United States of various animal diseases, including brucellosis and tuberculosis. Brucellosis is a contagious disease affecting animals and humans, caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. In its principal animal hosts, brucellosis may cause abortion and impaired fertility. Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious, infectious, and communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It affects cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats, and other species, including humans. Bovine tuberculosis in infected animals and humans manifests itself in lesions of the lung, bone, and other body parts, causes weight loss and general debilitation, and can be fatal.
Paragraph (a) of § 93.406 outlines procedures for the importation of cattle from other parts of the world into the United States. This paragraph details tuberculosis and brucellosis testing and certification requirements for all cattle offered for importation from any part of the world, except those intended for immediate slaughter.
The government of Australia has requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) exempt cattle imported from Australia from testing for brucellosis and tuberculosis. Australia has been free of tuberculosis since 1997 and free of brucellosis since 1990.
In response to the Government of Australia's request, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a qualitative risk assessment evaluating the status of brucellosis and tuberculosis in Australia. The risk assessment is based on documentation provided by Australia regarding its veterinary infrastructure, animal health monitoring system, trading practices with other regions, and other pertinent information. The risk assessment documents Australia's freedom from both tuberculosis and brucellosis, describes the capabilities of Australia's veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and evaluates Australia's natural barriers and regulatory restrictions that serve to protect against the introduction and dissemination of disease. Copies of the risk assessment may be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and through the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​vs/​reg-request.html.
Based on the findings of our risk assessment, we believe that cattle imported from Australia would pose a negligible risk of introducing tuberculosis and/or brucellosis into the United States. Therefore, we are proposing to amend § 93.406 of the regulations to exempt cattle imported from Australia from testing for tuberculosis and brucellosis. However, cattle imported from Australia would still have to be quarantined under the provisions of § 93.411 and undergo any tests and procedures that may be required by the Administrator to determine their freedom from communicable diseases.
The government of New Zealand has requested that the USDA exempt cattle imported from New Zealand from testing for brucellosis. New Zealand has been free of brucellosis since 1989.
In response to the Government of New Zealand's request, APHIS has prepared a qualitative risk assessment evaluating the status of brucellosis in New Zealand. The risk assessment is based on documentation provided by New Zealand regarding its veterinary infrastructure, animal health monitoring system, trading practices with other regions, and other pertinent information. The risk assessment documents New Zealand's freedom from brucellosis, describes the capabilities of New Zealand's veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and evaluates New Zealand's natural barriers and regulatory restrictions that serve to protect against the introduction and dissemination of disease. Copies of the risk assessment may be obtained from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and through the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​vs/​reg-request.html.
Based on the findings of our risk assessment, we believe that cattle imported from New Zealand would pose a negligible risk of introducing brucellosis into the United States. Therefore, we are proposing to amend § 93.406 of the regulations to exempt cattle imported from New Zealand from testing for brucellosis. However, cattle imported from New Zealand would still have to be quarantined under the provisions of § 93.411 and undergo any tests and procedures that may be required by the Administrator to determine their freedom from communicable diseases.
This proposed rule would exempt cattle imported into the United States from Australia from the requirement for testing for tuberculosis and brucellosis. This proposed rule would also exempt cattle imported into the United States from New Zealand from the requirement for testing for brucellosis. This action would relieve certain testing requirements for cattle imported from Australia and New Zealand while continuing to protect against the Start Printed Page 20213introduction of communicable diseases of cattle into the United States.
Australia has a large cattle industry, but has minimal cattle exports to the United States. We do not expect that removing the current tuberculosis and brucellosis testing requirements would significantly affect the number of cattle imports from Australia.
The number of cattle imported into the United States from Australia has increased slightly over recent years, although in 1998, imports from Australia only represented about $101,400 of the approximately $1.148 billion value of all U.S. cattle imports. While cattle imports from Australia may continue to increase, it is unlikely that the rates of increase would be significantly affected by the removal of the current tuberculosis and brucellosis testing requirements. The costs of testing, which include veterinary fees and handling expenses, are $15.00 to $25.00 per tuberculosis test and $7.50 to $15.00 per brucellosis test, and these testing costs represent less than 2 percent of the 1998 import price for cattle from Australia. It is realistic to assume that only a fraction of the cost savings associated with the removal of tuberculosis and brucellosis testing requirements would be passed to U.S. importers.
There is no history of cattle imports into the United States from New Zealand. Removing the brucellosis testing requirement is not expected to significantly affect cattle imports from New Zealand.
The average value of New Zealand's cattle exports during 1995 to 1997 was $731 to $801 per head. Brucellosis testing in the United States, which includes veterinary and handling fees, costs about $7.50 to $15.00, would represent only about 1 to 2 percent of the average value of cattle exported by New Zealand. If U.S. cattle imports from New Zealand were to commence, only a fraction of this cost saving would be passed along to the importer. Therefore, this proposed change is not expected, by itself, to generate such imports.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that the Agency specifically consider the economic effects of its rules on small entities. More than 99 percent of the 766,991 U.S. farms that reported cattle or calf sales in the most recent “Census of Agriculture” could be classified as small entities, using the Small Business Administration's criterion of annual receipts of less than $500,000. Given that there is no history of cattle imports from New Zealand and only a very low level of cattle imports from Australia, and given the minimal cost decrease that would result from the proposed testing exemptions, no effect on domestic cattle producers, large or small, is expected.
a. In the introductory text of paragraph (a), in the first sentence, the words “in paragraph (d) of this section and” would be added immediately after the words “Except as provided”.
b. A new paragraph (d) would be added to read as follows:
(d) Testing exemptions. Cattle from Australia are exempt from the tuberculosis and brucellosis testing and certification requirements of paragraph (a) of this section. Cattle from New Zealand are exempt from the brucellosis testing requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
[FR Doc. 01-9790 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]