Ecomomic Analysis Final Rule: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. Minimal Risk Regions and Importation of Commodities (APHIS Docket No. 03-080-3). (Includes Appendix A through Z)

摘要

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a progressive, fatal neurological disease of cattle that is apparently spread primarily through the consumption of animal feed containing protein from ruminants infected with BSE. There is no treatment or vaccine available for BSE. Included in Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 93-96, are regulations that prohibit the importation of ruminants and most ruminant products (meat and certain other products and byproducts) from (1) regions where BSE exists and (2) regions that present an undue risk of introducing BSE into the United States because of import requirements less restrictive than those that would be acceptable for import into the United States or because of inadequate surveillance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) believes it is appropriate to recognize an additional category of regions that present a minimal risk of introducing BSE into the United States. This category will include (1) those regions in which a BSE-infected animal has been diagnosed, but in which measures have been taken that reduce the risk of BSE being introduced into the United States, and (2) those regions in which BSE has not been detected, but that cannot be considered BSE-free. APHIS will set forth factors to be considered before listing a region as one of minimal risk. Additional risk-mitigating measures may be required, such as age restrictions for ruminants imported from such regions.