Ambassador Martin J. Silvertein's Remarks:

The USDA/APHIS final rule which amends current regulations to allow Uruguayan fresh, frozen, de-boned, matured beef into the United States will be on public display in Washington, D.C. and published on May 29, 2003 in the Federal Register.

Current regulations prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals and animal products into the United States from Uruguay due to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001. Under the final rule, fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Uruguay would be allowed entry into the United States if a number of conditions are met and certified by an authorized veterinary official of Uruguay.

Because Uruguay took immediate, effective measures to control and eradicate FMD after the initial outbreak, continues to employ control measures, including a vaccination program, movement controls, maturation, de-boning, ante-and post-mortem inspections, pH testing, and national and international border controls; and has not had a confirmed case of FMD in over a year, the government of Uruguay requested that APHIS consider allowing the export of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef to the United Stares.

In response to this request, APHIS prepared a risk assessment. The process also included a site visit in July 2002 during which a team of APHIS representatives reviewed Uruguay’s animal health infrastructure, vaccination program, movement controls, slaughter procedures and national and international border controls.

Based on the risk assessment, the site visit, and information provided by the government of Uruguay, the rule will allow the importation of fresh, chilled or frozen, de-boned, matured beef from Uruguay, provided certain conditions are met and certified.

Twenty-eight comments were received on the proposed rule and each one was addressed over the last month. It was determined that a number of conditions will need to be met which include, but are not limited to a certificate to accompany cattle direct from the farm to the slaughter establishment and an ante-and post mortem examination. The required conditions are designed to allow importation of beef from Uruguay while continuing to protect American agriculture from any foreign animal disease.

The Final Rule entitled “Importation of Beef From Uruguay” will be published on Thursday May 29, 2003 in the Federal Register. Documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html

This rule will go into effect immediately upon publication. Meat from cattle, arriving at slaughter facilities after the date of publication of the final rule accompanied by the appropriate paperwork, will be eligible for entry into the US.