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.
