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Skip Navigation HomeHelpResourcesContact Us Advanced Search Start of Main Content Importation of Live Birds and Poultry, Poultry Meat, and Poultry Products from Region in European Union This Proposed Rule document was issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)For related information, Open Docket Folder Show agency attachment(s) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SummaryWe are proposing to amend the regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products by recognizing 25 Member States of the European Union as the APHIS-defined European Union poultry trade region and adding it to the list of regions we consider to be free of Newcastle disease. We are taking this action based on a risk evaluation that we prepared in which we determined that the proposed region meets our requirements for being considered free of Newcastle disease. We also determined that the region meets our requirements for being considered free of highly pathogenic avian influenza. In addition, we are proposing to establish requirements governing the importation of live birds and poultry, including hatching eggs, and poultry meat and products from the APHIS-defined European Union poultry trade region, and to update avian disease terms and definitions. These actions would facilitate the importation of live birds and poultry, and poultry meat and products, from the APHIS-defined European Union poultry trade region while protecting the United States from communicable avian diseases.
DatesWe will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 19, 2011.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0094, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at (http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0094) or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
For Further Information ContactMr. Javier Vargas, Case Manager, National Center for Import and Export, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-4356.
Supplementary InformationBackgroundThe Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), parts 93, 94, and 95, govern the importation into the United States of specified animals and animal products and byproducts to prevent the introduction of various animal diseases, including exotic Newcastle disease (1)
Several strains of avian influenza (AI) virus throughout the world can cause varying degrees of illness in many species of birds, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl. AI viruses are characterized as low pathogenicity (LP) or high pathogenicity (HP) by their ability to produce disease or by their molecular characteristics. The ability of the virus to cause clinical signs may depend on the species of bird infected and may change over time, becoming more or less pathogenic. HPAI is an extremely infectious and potentially fatal form of AI in birds that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. The H5 and H7 subtypes of LPAI have the potential to mutate into HPAI. For this reason, LPAI subtypes H5 and H7 are considered along with any subtype of HPAI as notifiable forms of AI by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). (2)
Existing regulations in § 94.6 restrict the importation of carcasses, parts of products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) (3)
Paragraph (a)(1) of § 94.6 states that Newcastle disease is considered to exist in all regions of the world except for the regions listed. Paragraph (a)(2) refers readers to an APHIS Web site (4)
In 2006, the European Commission (5)
(EC) requested recognition of the animal health status of a region with respect to Newcastle disease and HPAI. The region consists of the 25 European Union (EU) Member States (EU-25) that comprised the EU in 2005. (6)
The regulations currently list nine Member States of the EU-25 as regions in which Newcastle disease is not known to exist. (7)
APHIS conducted a risk evaluation of the EU-25 as a single region that would be under the harmonized regulation and oversight of the EC, and to which we would apply a single set of requirements for the importation of live birds and poultry, and poultry meat and products, from the region into the United States. (8)
We have determined that the EU-25 is free of Newcastle disease and HPAI under our requirements and that the EC has demonstrated the ability to rapidly detect and contain outbreaks of these diseases, effectively limiting the need for movement restrictions to distinct Administrative Units within the region. (9)
Our findings are described in detail in the risk evaluation, which may be obtained by contacting the person listed underFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. It may also be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (seeADDRESSESabove for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room).Proposed Changes to the RegulationsWe are proposing to amend the regulations by recognizing the Member States of the EU-25 as the APHIS-defined European Union poultry trade region (APHIS-defined EU-PTR). We are also proposing to add this new region to the list in § 94.6(a)(1)(i) of regions we consider to be free of Newcastle disease and to recognize the region as free of HPAI in accordance with § 94.6(a)(2)(i). Our proposed recognition of the APHIS-defined EU-PTR as free of these diseases is modeled after an EU region that we currently recognize as being low-risk for classical swine fever (CSF). In response to a 1997 request from the EC, APHIS conducted a risk analysis of a proposed region for CSF, and in a final rule published in theFederal Registerand effective on April 7, 2003 (68 FR 16922-16941, Docket No. 98-090-5), we amended the regulations in § 94.24 to recognize an EU region in which CSF is not known to exist and from which swine and pork products may be imported into the United States under certain conditions. (10)
The April 2003 final rule also established a requirement, set forth in § 92.3, that whenever the EC establishes a quarantine for a disease in the EU in a region that APHIS recognizes as one in which the disease is not known to exist, and the EC imposes restrictions on the movement of animals or animal products from that quarantined area, such animals and animal products are prohibited importation into the United States. This prohibition applies to the APHIS-defined EU-CSF region when the EC imposes quarantine and movement restrictions for swine and pork products due to outbreaks of CSF. Because we acknowledge that limited outbreaks of Newcastle disease and HPAI will likely occur sporadically in EU-25 Member States, the prohibitions in § 92.3 would also apply to the APHIS-defined EU-PTR when the EC imposes quarantine and movement restrictions for poultry and poultry products due to outbreaks of Newcastle disease or HPAI. (11)
We also propose to establish a new section, § 94.28, that sets forth import restrictions on live birds and poultry, and poultry meat and products, from the APHIS-defined EU-PTR. These restrictions would reduce the risk of introducing Newcastle disease or HPAI into the United States while acknowledging the EC's ability to successfully manage outbreaks of those diseases.Import Restrictions for Poultry Meat and ProductsParagraph (a)(1)(i) of proposed § 94.28 would require that poultry meat and products, including eggs and egg products (other than hatching eggs) derived from birds and poultry imported from the APHIS-defined EU-PTR must not have been derived from birds or poultry that were in any region when the region was classified in § 94.6(a)(1)(i) as one in which Newcastle disease is considered to exist, or any region when it was listed in accordance with § 94.6(a)(2)(i) as one in which HPAI is considered to exist, except for the APHIS-defined EU-PTR. (12)
Paragraph (a)(5) of proposed § 94.28 would require poultry meat and products imported from the APHIS-defined EU-PTR to be accompanied by an inspection certificate issued by the competent veterinary authority of the Member State. The certificate would have to state that all applicable provisions of § 94.28(a)(1) through (a)(4) have been met.Import Restrictions for Live Birds and Poultry, Including Hatching EggsParagraph (b)(1)(i) of proposed § 94.28 would require that live birds andpoultry (including hatching eggs) imported from the APHIS-defined EU-PTR must not have been in any region when that region was classified in § 94.6(a)(1)(i) as one in which Newcastle disease is considered to exist, or any region when the region was listed in accordance with § 94.6(a)(2)(i) as one in which HPAI is considered to exist, except for the APHIS-defined EU-PTR. Under this exception, live birds and poultry could continue to be imported from unaffected parts of the APHIS-defined EU-PTR if a restricted zone for commercial poultry is established elsewhere in the region because of the detection of Newcastle disease or HPAI.
Because we are proposing to recognize the 25 Member States of the APHIS-defined EU-PTR collectively as a single region free of Newcastle disease and HPAI, we would remove from § 94.6(a)(1)(i) the nine EU-25 Member States individually listed as regions free of Newcastle disease: Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, and Sweden. The APHIS-defined EU-PTR would be included in proposed § 94.6(a)(1)(i) as a single region considered to be free of Newcastle disease.Changes to Terms and DefinitionsWe propose to make changes to the regulations regarding the terms and definitions we use for Newcastle disease and HPAI. We would remove the word “exotic” from the current references to “exotic Newcastle disease” in 9 CFR parts 53, 82, 93, 94 and 95. We are making this change so that our terminology for this disease is consistent with that used in the OIE animal health standards. We also propose to update our definition of Newcastle disease in parts 53, 82, and 94. The definition currently included in these parts describes how a virulent strain of the virus presents itself but does not define the technical criteria for determining virulence. We would use the definition published in the OIE animal health standards because it includes the technical criteria of virulence. (13)
In parts 71, 93, and 104, we propose to remove the terms “fowl pest” and “fowl plague” from the regulations and replace them with “highly pathogenic avian influenza.” The terms currently in the regulations predate identification of the avian influenza virus and are no longer commonly used in scientific discourse. This change would be consistent with our previous efforts to replace these terms in other parts of the regulations and reflects OIE terminology. (14)
In addition, we propose to add a definition of HPAI to § 94.0. We would use the definition of HPAI included in § 53.1 of the current regulations because it defines all HPAI subtypes, makes the regulations more consistent, and is consistent with the definition used by the OIE.Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility ActThis proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
We expect the proposed rule to have negligible economic effects for U.S. entities, large or small. Nine EU Member States are currently permitted to export poultry or poultry products to the United States, but the quantities exported are small, and the quantities of birds, poultry, and poultry products that would be imported from the EU-PTR are not expected to be significant. EU Member States, in aggregate, exported only 40 metric tons of poultry meat to the United States in 2009. In contrast,the United States is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of poultry meat; about 20 percent of U.S. poultry production was exported in 2009. Over 99 percent of U.S. live poultry imports, 97 percent of poultry meat imports, and 91 percent of hatching egg imports came from Canada in 2009. Imports from the APHIS-defined EU-PTR would therefore face a highly competitive U.S. market.
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.Executive Order 12988This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is adopted: (1) No retroactive effect will be given to this rule, and (2) administrative proceedings will not be required before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.National Environmental Policy ActTo provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts associated with recognition of the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region as being free of Newcastle disease and HPAI, we have prepared an environmental assessment. The environmental assessment was prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
List of Subjects9 CFR Part 53
Animal diseases, Indemnity payments, Livestock, Poultry and poultry products.
Animal diseases, Livestock, Poultry and poultry products, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Animal diseases, Poultry and poultry products, Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Animal biologics, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Accordingly, we propose to amend 9 CFR parts 53, 71, 82, 93, 94, 95, and 104 as follows:Part 53 Foot and Mouth Disease Pleuropneumonia Rinderpest and Certain Other Communicable Diseases of Livestock or Poultry1. The authority citation for part 53 continues to read as follows:
b. By removing the definition of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END). c. By adding, in alphabetical order, a definition of Newcastle disease to read as set forth below.
3. In § 53.2, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the word “exotic”.Part 71 General Provisions4. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
5. In § 71.3, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words “European fowl pest” and adding the words “highly pathogenic avian influenza” in their place.Part 82 Newcastle Disease and Chlamydiosis6. The authority citation for part 82 continues to read as follows:
7. The heading for part 82 is revised to read as set forth above.Subpart a Newcastle Disease8. The heading for subpart A is revised to read as set forth above.Subpart a Amended9. In subpart A, revise all references to “END” to read “Newcastle disease”.
a. By removing the definition of END. b. By adding, in alphabetical order, a definition of Newcastle disease to read as set forth below.
§ 82.1
* * * * *Part 93 Importation of Certain Animals Birds Fish and Poultry and Certain Animal Bird and Poultry Products Requirements for Means of Conveyance and Shipping Containers11. The authority citation for part 93 continues to read as follows:
15. In § 93.209, paragraph (b), the first sentence is amended by removing the word “exotic”.Part 94 Rinderpest Foot and Mouth Disease Newcastle Disease Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza African Swine Fever Classical Swine Fever Swine Vesicular Disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Prohibited and Restricted Importations16. The authority citation for part 94 continues to read as follows:
a. By removing the definition of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END). b. By adding, in alphabetical order, definitions of APHIS-defined EU Poultry Trade Region, Highly pathogenic avian influenza, and Newcastle disease to read as set forth below.
(i) The following regions are considered to be free of Newcastledisease: APHIS-defined EU Poultry Trade Region, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Fiji, Iceland, Mexico (States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan), New Zealand, and Switzerland.
§ 94.23
§ 94.28
(c) Presentation of certificates. The certificates required by paragraphs (a)(5) and (b)(5) of this section must bepresented by the importer to an authorized inspector at the port of arrival, upon arrival of the birds, poultry, hatching eggs, or poultry meat and products at the port.Part 95 Sanitary Control of Animal Byproducts Except Casings and Hay and Straw Offered for Entry Into the United States23. The authority citation for part 95 continues to read as follows:
25. In § 95.6, paragraph (c) is amended by removing the word “exotic”.Part 104 Permits for Biological Products26. The authority citation for part 104 continues to read as follows:
[FR Doc. 2011-18108 Filed 7-18-11 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 3410-34-PFootnotes
For reasons explained later in this document, we propose to replace in the regulations the term“exotic Newcastle disease” with “Newcastle disease” and revise its definition; we use the latter term in this document when referring to the disease.
Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 10, Article 10.4.1: (http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_1.10.4.htm).
Regulations for importing hatching eggs are included in §§ 93.104, 93.205, and 93.209.
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_hpai.shtml.)
The EU Member States constituting the CSF-free region in this rule included, with the exception of specified regions within Germany and Italy, the countries of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal. A current list of Member States included in the EU-CSF region is located online at: (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_csf.shtml).
Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Article 10.13.1: (http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_1.10.13.htm).
Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Article 10.4.1: (http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_1.10.4.htm).
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed Sep 19 2011, at 11:59 PM ET ID: APHIS-2009-0094-0001 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: Jul 19, 2011RIN: 0579-AD45CFR: 9 CFR Parts 53, 71, 82, 93, 94, 95, and 104Federal Register Number: 2011-18108 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments4 Comments Received* Comments from the Republic of Poland View Comment See attached file(s) View Comment See attached file(s) View Comment Docket Information This document is contained in APHIS-2009-0094 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: Importations: Live Birds and Poultry, Poultry Meat, and...Importation of Live Birds and Poultry, Poultry Meat, and... Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!