May 22, 2006

USDA gets tougher on EU imports in cases of swine fever outbreaks

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (AHIS) is amending its regulations on the importation of animals and animal products into the United States from the European Union in the event of swine fever outbreaks from exporting countries.

The rule would be implemented for all 15 EU member states prior to its expansion on May 1, 2004, according to an APHIS press release.

Under the new regulations, import prohibitions would be placed on all swine and swine products entering the US from any region in any member state of the EU-15 that suffers an outbreak of swine fever.

Restrictions would be implemented by an administrative process rather than a regulatory process.

In the event of an outbreak, importation prohibitions would remain in effect for six months following the depopulation of swine and disinfection of the last infected premise, even the state removes its designation of the area as a restricted zone before the six months have passed.

APHIS stated that these changes were made to prevent swine fever in the United States.