USDA Proposes to Recognize EU Regions as Free of Animal Diseases
Contact: Bethany Jones, 301-734-7280,
[email protected], or
Jerry Redding, 202-720-6959,
[email protected],
U.S. Department of Agriculture;
Web site: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/1999/06/0258
WASHINGTON, June 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is proposing to recognize regions in the European Union as free of hog cholera, foot-and-mouth disease, and swine vesicular disease.
"This proposal is critical to continue future trade growth with the European Union," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "This step is the final commitment necessary to allow the European Union to sign the veterinary equivalency agreement."
The veterinary equivalency agreement, the overall framework of which was agreed to in April 1997, covers more than $1.5 billion in U.S. animal and animal product exports to the EU, and an equal value of EU exports to the United States.
"The concept of the equivalency agreement allows veterinary inspection requirements to differ from country to country but ensures the United States' right to establish its own level of public health protection," said Michael V. Dunn, USDA's Under Secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.
The current proposed rule would allow the importation into the United States, under certain conditions, of certain animals and animal products from those regions.
With the exception of specified regions in Germany and Italy, the proposed rule would recognize Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain as regions where hog cholera is not known to exist. Greece would be recognized free of foot-and- mouth disease and swine vesicular disease, and eight regions in Italy would be recognized free of swine vesicular disease.
"We are confident that the practice of recognizing regions, as well as entire countries, as free of disease will promote free and fair trade while still safeguarding U.S. agriculture," Dunn said.
This action is based on a request from the European Commission's Directorate General for Agriculture and on APHIS' review of the supporting documentation supplied by the European Commission and individual Member States.
Notice of this proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the June 25 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Aug. 24. An original and three copies of comments should be sent to Docket No. 98-090-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, USDA, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238.
Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141 South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing access to this room are requested to call ahead at 202-690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
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