January 12, 2007

USDA to update livestock export regulations
 

The USDA has proposed to update testing regulations for US cattle exports.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) wants to amend its livestock exportation regulations to eliminate the US requirement for pre-export tuberculosis and brucellosis testing.

The proposed changes would no longer require pre-export testing for cattle from any tuberculosis accredited-free or brucellosis class-free state and for exports to countries that do not require testing.

The idea behind the proposal is to ease restrictions on certain exports of US cattle to Canada for which testing is no longer necessary.

To participate in the restricted feeder cattle programme, the feeder cattle must originate from a state that has been designated by APHIS as brucellosis and tuberculosis free.

Should other countries importing US cattle suspend or remove their testing requirements, this proposal would ensure that the US cattle exporters receive the full benefits of no longer being required to perform pre-export tests.