February 15, 2007

USDA proposes to change the disease status of four countries in the EU

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a proposal to amend its animal import regulations by changing the disease status of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

The proposed changes would add these countries to the regions of the European Union (EU) considered low risk for classical swine fever (CSF) and free of swine vesicular disease (SVD).

Latvia and Lithuania would also be added to the list of regions considered free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and rinderpest.

When the four countries joined the EU, they adopted its animal health, welfare and identification legislation, including that specific to CSF, FMD and SVD. By adopting these laws and regulations, as well as undergoing a thorough APHIS-risk assessment, these countries met the requirements for a change in status.

This proposed change in disease status means that there would be fewer restrictions on the import of animals and animal products from these countries. For instance, no swine may be imported from any region affected with CSF or SVD, although some cooked and cured products from affected regions are allowed into the US.

Countries under FMD restriction are not allowed to export ruminant animals and fresh or chilled ruminant animal product into the US.