[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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