Animal semen import rules proposed

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The USDA-APHIS is inviting comments until March 27 on a proposed regulation concerning the importation of animal semen. The proposal was published in the Jan 26 Federal Register.

Under the proposal, APHIS would eliminate importation requirements for all canine semen from anywhere in the world and for equine semen from Canada. The agency does not consider these as posing a threat of introducing diseases to US livestock. The action would reduce regulatory requirements for the importation of semen.

The agency also proposes to require that other animal semen, except for equine semen from Canada, be imported only in shipping containers that bear the official government seal of the region of origin. This would help prevent the importation of animal semen that does not meet APHIS requirements.

Comments should be sent in quadruplicate to Docket No. 99-023-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3CO3, 4700 River Rd, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register are available on the Internet at www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. For more information, contact Dr. Roger Perkins, National Center for Import and Export, USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services, 4700 River Rd, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; phone, (301) 734-8419.