[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52635-52636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25014]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 94-058-2]


Importation of Wild Turkey Carcasses

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: We are withdrawing a proposed rule that would have allowed the 
carcasses of wild turkeys from countries where exotic Newcastle disease 
is considered to exist to be brought into the United States if the 
head, feet, and viscera of the wild turkeys had been removed. We are 
taking this action after considering the comments we received following 
the publication of the proposed rule.

DATES: This withdrawal is effective October 10, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Gray, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Import/Export Products, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-7885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 21, 1995, we published in the Federal Register (60 FR 
9633-9634, Docket No. 94-058-1) a proposed rule to amend the 
regulations in 9 CFR part 94 to allow wild turkey carcasses from 
countries where exotic Newcastle disease is considered to exist to be 
brought into the United States if the head, feet, and viscera of the 
wild turkeys had been removed.
    We solicited comments on the proposed rule for 60 days ending on 
April 24, 1995. By the close of the comment period, we had received a 
total of five comments. The comments were submitted by representatives 
of the poultry industry and a university veterinarian. All of the 
commenters opposed the proposed rule.
    All five commenters believed that the proposed rule would adversely 
affect the poultry industry. Some commenters were concerned that raw 
carcasses that had the head, viscera, and feet removed would still 
harbor viable viruses. The commenters stated that the avian 

[[Page 52636]]
influenza and Newcastle viruses still pose a threat in Mexico, and that 
these viruses could be present in improperly or inadequately dressed 
birds. Commenters also stated that wild turkeys killed by hunters could 
have internal or external fecal contamination as a result of damage 
caused by a bullet or an arrow passing through the bird, and pointed 
out that fecal shed of the avian influenza and Newcastle viruses has 
been documented. One commenter also suggested that the proposed change 
would encourage hunters to field dress their own game, rather than 
having the game dressed, cooked, and sealed by commercial services in 
the foreign country, which would increase the potential for 
contamination of the hunter's clothing and equipment with exotic 
disease agents.
    After considering all the comments we received, we have concluded 
that it is necessary to reexamine the disease risk issues associated 
with the importation into the United States of wild turkey carcasses. 
Therefore, we are withdrawing the February 21, 1995, proposed rule 
referenced above. The concerns and recommendations of all the 
commenters will be considered if any new proposed regulations regarding 
the importation of wild turkey carcasses are developed.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162, and 450; 19 U.S.C. 
1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31 
U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331, and 4332; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and 
371.2(d).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of October 1995.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25014 Filed 10-6-95; 8:45 am]
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