[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9387-9388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5161]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 92 and 130

[Docket No. 95-057-2]


Importation of Pet Birds

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 made 
several changes to the regulations for importing pet birds into the 
United States. We are withdrawing the proposed rule after considering 
the comments we received following the publication of the proposed 
rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tracye R. Butler, Staff 
Veterinarian, Import-Export Animals, National Center for Import-Export, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 
734-5097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 21, 1996, we published in the Federal Register (61 FR 
43188-43193, Docket No. 95-057-1) a proposal to amend the regulations 
in 9 CFR part 92 by removing the requirement for veterinary inspection 
at the port of entry for all pet birds imported from Canada, including 
pet birds of U.S. origin that

[[Page 9388]]

have been in Canada. We also proposed to remove the requirement that 
such birds may only be imported through a designated port. For pet 
birds of Canadian origin, we proposed to add the requirement that the 
birds be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by 
Agriculture Canada. We also proposed to allow pet birds imported from 
countries other than Canada to be maintained under home quarantine for 
30 days rather than be quarantined for 30 days at a facility operated 
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For pet birds of U.S. 
origin, we proposed to allow microchip implants as a form of permanent 
identification. We also proposed to amend the regulations in 9 CFR part 
130, concerning user fees, to reflect our proposal that pet birds 
imported from any country could now undergo home quarantine, and should 
be charged the appropriate user fee for home quarantine services. We 
proposed these actions in order to facilitate the importation of pet 
birds, while continuing to provide protection against the introduction 
of communicable diseases into the United States.
    We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending 
October 21, 1996. We received 16 comments by that date. They were from 
veterinarians, humane organizations, environmental interest groups, 
raptor breeders and associations, and falconers. Ten of the comments 
supported the proposed rule, but requested minor changes, mostly 
concerning special considerations in the importation of raptors from 
Canada. The remainder of the comments opposed the proposed rule, 
expressing concerns regarding allowing home quarantine for pet birds 
imported from countries other than Canada and removing the requirement 
for veterinary inspection at the port of entry for pet birds imported 
from Canada. Specifically, commenters said that most pet bird owners 
would not necessarily recognize the signs of disease in their pet birds 
under home quarantine, that home quarantine would not include any tests 
for disease or precautionary medication (as is administered when a pet 
bird undergoes quarantine at a USDA-operated facility), and that the 
proposal did not include adequate provisions to ensure that pet bird 
owners comply with the home quarantine requirements. Commenters were 
also concerned that removing veterinary inspection at the port of entry 
for pet birds from Canada would increase the opportunities for exotic 
birds to be smuggled illegally into the United States.
    After considering all the comments we received, we have concluded 
that it is necessary to reexamine the need for relieving restrictions 
on the importation of pet birds and the disease risks associated with 
the importation of pet birds into the United States. Therefore, we are 
withdrawing the August 21, 1996, proposed rule referenced above. The 
concerns and recommendations of all the commenters will be considered 
if any new proposed regulations regarding the importation of pet birds 
are developed.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 19 U.S.C. 1306; 21 U.S.C. 102-105, 
111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d, 134f, 135, 136, and 136a; 31 
U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).

     Done in Washington, DC, this 26th day of February 1997.
Terry L. Medley,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5161 Filed 2-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P