[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20187-20190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9795]



[[Page 20187]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 93

[Docket No. 00-102-1]


Tuberculosis Testing for Imported Cattle

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are amending our animal import regulations by requiring 
cattle to undergo additional testing for tuberculosis prior to 
exportation to the United States, except cattle imported for immediate 
slaughter. The additional testing requirements will help us to better 
ensure that imported cattle are free of tuberculosis, thereby 
protecting against the spread of tuberculosis within the United States.

DATES: This interim rule is effective May 21, 2001. We invite you to 
comment on this docket. We will consider all comments that we receive 
by June 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and 
three copies) to: Docket No. 00-102-1, Regulatory Analysis and 
Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, 
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.
    Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 00-102-1.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Glen I. Garris, Supervisory Staff 
Officer, Regionalization Evaluation Services Staff, National Center for 
Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1231; (301) 734-4356.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious, infectious, and communicable 
disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It affects cattle, bison, deer, 
elk, goats, and other species, including humans. Bovine tuberculosis in 
infected animals and humans manifests itself in lesions of the lung, 
bone, and other body parts, causes weight loss and general 
debilitation, and can be fatal.
    At the beginning of this century, bovine tuberculosis caused more 
losses of livestock than all other livestock diseases combined. This 
prompted the establishment of the National Cooperative State/Federal 
Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program for bovine tuberculosis in 
livestock.
    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently 
revised its domestic bovine tuberculosis regulations on the interstate 
movement of certain cattle, bison, and captive cervids. These 
regulations are designed to protect against the spread of tuberculosis 
within the United States and to aid in our domestic tuberculosis 
eradication effort. However, in order for the domestic eradication 
program to be successful, APHIS must take appropriate measures to 
ensure that cattle imported into the United States are free of 
tuberculosis.
    APHIS has been receiving requests to allow the importation of large 
numbers of cattle from countries known to be affected with 
tuberculosis. The prevalence of tuberculosis in many countries that 
export cattle to the United States presents a significant threat to the 
success of our domestic tuberculosis eradication program. In order to 
address the risk posed by imported cattle, APHIS is amending its 
regulations to generally require that cattle be tested twice with 
negative results for tuberculosis prior to importation into the United 
States, except for cattle imported for immediate slaughter.

Existing Regulations

    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 prohibit or restrict the 
importation of certain animals and birds into the United States to 
prevent the introduction of communicable diseases of livestock and 
poultry. Subpart D of part 93 (referred to below as the regulations) 
governs the importation of ruminants.
    Prior to this interim rule, Sec. 93.406 of the regulations 
contained tuberculosis testing and certification requirements for 
cattle imported into the United States from all areas of the world 
except Canada and Mexico. Sections 93.418 and 93.427 contained 
tuberculosis testing and certification requirements for cattle from 
Canada and Mexico, respectively.

Cattle From All Areas of the World Except Canada and Mexico

    Under the regulations in Sec. 93.406(a) prior to this interim rule, 
cattle that were imported from all areas of the world except Canada and 
Mexico, and except cattle imported for immediate slaughter, were 
required to be tested for tuberculosis with negative results within 30 
days of the date of their exportation to the United States. To verify 
that cattle met these testing requirements, the regulations required 
that imported cattle be accompanied by a certificate of a salaried 
veterinary officer of the national government of the region of origin 
showing that the cattle were tested for tuberculosis as described 
above. The certificate had to give the dates and places of testing, 
names of the consignor and consignee, and a description of the cattle, 
with breed, ages, and markings.
    Further, under Sec. 93.406(c), cattle that were tested as 
prescribed above and that were subject to quarantine at the port of 
entry as provided in Sec. 93.411,\1\ were required to be retested for 
tuberculosis during the last 10 days of the quarantine period under the 
supervision of a veterinary inspector by one or more of the methods 
approved by the Administrator.
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    \1\ Cattle from all areas of the world except Central America, 
the West Indies, Canada, and Mexico are required to be quarantined 
for not less than 30 days upon arrival in the United States.
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Cattle From Canada

    Under the regulations in Sec. 93.418(b) prior to this interim rule, 
cattle imported from Canada, except cattle imported for slaughter in 
accordance with Sec. 93.420 of the regulations, were required to be 
accompanied by a certificate issued or endorsed by a salaried 
veterinarian of the Canadian Government showing one of the following:
     The cattle were from a tuberculosis-free herd in Canada; 
or
     The date and place the cattle were last tested for 
tuberculosis; that the cattle were found negative for tuberculosis on 
such test; and that such test was performed within 60 days preceding 
the arrival of the cattle at the port of entry; or
     That the cattle were at least 5 days but not more than 4 
weeks of age and, therefore, were exempt from the tuberculosis testing 
requirement; or
     For a calf imported with its dam, the date and place the 
calf's dam was

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last tested for tuberculosis; that the dam was found negative for 
tuberculosis on such test; that such test was performed within 60 days 
preceding the arrival of the calf and dam at the port of entry; and 
that the calf was born after such test was performed.
    If cattle met one of the above conditions, they were eligible for 
entry into the United States without quarantine and were not required 
to be held at the border for additional testing. Cattle that did not 
meet any of these conditions were refused entry into the United States.

Cattle From Mexico

    Under the regulations in Sec. 93.427(c) prior to this interim rule, 
cattle imported from Mexico, except cattle imported for immediate 
slaughter under Sec. 93.429 of the regulations, had to be accompanied 
by a satisfactory certificate of a salaried veterinary officer of the 
national government of Mexico, or a certificate issued by a 
veterinarian accredited by the National Government of Mexico and 
endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the National 
Government of Mexico, thereby representing that the veterinarian 
issuing the certificate was authorized to do so, showing:
     That a review of the available herd history, including any 
tuberculin test results, traceback slaughter reports and post-mortem 
record, and any other available records or information did not indicate 
evidence of tuberculosis or exposure to tuberculosis during the 
preceding 60 days;
     Except for cattle certified for importation into the 
United States for immediate slaughter in accordance with Sec. 93.429 
and steers, that the herd or herds that the cattle originated from were 
tuberculin tested with negative results not more than 12 months nor 
less than 3 months before the date the animals were offered for entry 
into the United States and that the animals presented for entry, 
excepting only the natural increase in the herd, were included in the 
herd or herds of origin at the time of the herd test;
     For steers, except those certified in accordance with 
Sec. 93.429, that each animal had been tested with negative results 
either by a salaried veterinarian of the National Government of Mexico 
or by a veterinarian accredited by the National Government of Mexico, 
not more than 60 days before the date the animals were offered for 
entry into the United States: Provided, that for steers not so tested 
and certified, the importer could elect to have the tuberculin test 
completed at the port of entry under the supervision of the port 
veterinarian; and
     The date and place of inspection, the date and place and 
results of the tuberculin test if applicable, the name of the herd 
owner, the name of the consignor and consignee, and an individual 
description of each animal including breed, age, sex, and tattoo and 
official Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (SARH) 
blue eartag numbers.
    However, cattle, including steers, that originated in herds 
declared to be tuberculosis-accredited by the National Government of 
Mexico in accordance with that region's standards did not have to 
comply with the above provisions if they were moved directly to the 
U.S. port of entry from their herd of origin without having been 
commingled with cattle from any herd not so accredited enroute to the 
port of entry. They had to be accompanied by a health certificate 
issued in accordance with Sec. 93.405(a) stating that the cattle 
originated in a tuberculosis-accredited herd and identifying the 
animals by official Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources 
(SARH) blue eartag and tattoo numbers.
    Further, cattle from a herd or herds in which one or more reactors 
to the tuberculin test had been disclosed were not eligible for 
importation until the herd or herds reached full tuberculosis-free 
status under Mexican Government regulations.
    All bulls and female cattle accompanied by the certificate 
described above were to be detained at the port of entry under the 
supervision of the port veterinarian until tested for tuberculosis with 
negative results, provided that if any reactor was disclosed in any lot 
when so tested at the port of entry, the entire lot was refused entry 
and the entire lot or any portion of it was not eligible for 
importation until the lot had reached full tuberculosis-free status 
under Mexican Government regulations and the animals offered for entry 
had met the other applicable requirements of Sec. 93.427.

Changes Made by This Interim Rule

    In this document, we are amending the regulations described above 
by requiring all cattle imported into the United States, except cattle 
imported for immediate slaughter, and except cattle from Canada,\2\ to 
generally be tested twice with negative results for tuberculosis as 
described below. These new requirements are located in an amended 
Sec. 93.406, and all previous tuberculosis testing requirements for 
imported cattle, except cattle from Canada, are removed.
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    \2\ Canada would have the option of following the new 
requirements or the existing requirements in Sec. 93.418.
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Steers or Spayed Heifers

    Steers and spayed heifers must originate from a herd that tested 
negative to a whole herd test for tuberculosis within 1 year prior to 
the date of exportation to the United States. For the purposes of this 
rule, a herd is defined as a group of one or more animals maintained 
for at least 4 months on common ground or two or more groups of animals 
under common ownership or supervision on two or more premises that are 
geographically separated, but among which there is an interchange or 
movement of animals. We are requiring that animals be maintained as 
such for 4 months in order to ensure that the animals are tested as a 
unit, and to allow time for signs of disease, if present, to become 
apparent.
    For a group of one or more animals to qualify as a herd for the 
purposes of Sec. 93.406, animals may be moved directly into the herd 
during or after the 4-month qualifying period only if they (1) 
originated from a tuberculosis-free herd; or (2) originated from a 
tuberculosis-accredited herd or a herd that tested negative to a whole 
herd test, and the individual cattle to be added to the herd also 
tested negative to any additional individual tests for tuberculosis 
required by the Administrator.
    A ``whole herd test'' is defined as an official tuberculin test of 
all cattle in a herd that are 6 months of age or older, and of all 
cattle in the herd that are less than 6 months of age and were not born 
into the herd, except those cattle that are less than 6 months of age 
and (1) were born in and originated from a tuberculosis-free herd; or 
(2) were born in and originated from a tuberculosis-accredited herd or 
originated from a herd that has tested negative to a whole herd test, 
and the individual cattle have tested negative to any additional 
individual tests for tuberculosis required by the Administrator.
    Further, the animals must have each tested negative to an 
additional official tuberculin test conducted within 60 days prior to 
the date of exportation to the United States. For the purposes of this 
rule, an ``official tuberculin test'' is defined as a test for bovine 
tuberculosis that is approved by the APHIS Administrator as equivalent 
to the international standard test described in the Manual of Standards 
for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines, Office International des Epozooties, 
and that is applied and

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reported by a salaried official of the government of the exporting 
region.
    Cattle that have been tested for tuberculosis in accordance with 
these requirements will not be subject to any additional tests for 
tuberculosis during quarantine, if quarantine is required under 
Sec. 93.411. Further, such cattle from Mexico will not be detained at 
land border ports with Mexico for further testing.

Sexually Intact Cattle From an Accredited Herd

    Such cattle must originate from a herd that has been certified by 
the government of the region of origin as an accredited herd within 1 
year prior to the date of exportation to the United States.
    For the purposes of this rule, an accredited herd is defined as one 
that has passed at least two consecutive annual official tuberculin 
tests and has no evidence of bovine tuberculosis. All animals in an 
accredited herd must be free from tuberculosis.
    Such cattle, if required to be quarantined under the regulations in 
Sec. 93.411, must also be tested for tuberculosis with negative results 
during the last 10 days of quarantine. Further, such cattle from Mexico 
must be detained at the port of entry under the supervision of the port 
veterinarian until tested for tuberculosis with negative results.

Sexually Intact Cattle not From an Accredited Herd

    Such cattle must have originated from a herd that has tested 
negative to a whole herd test as described above under the heading 
``Steers and Spayed Heifers'' within 1 year prior to the date of 
exportation to the United States. Further, the animals must each have 
tested negative to one additional official tuberculin test conducted no 
more than 6 months and no less than 60 days prior to the date of 
exportation to the United States, except that the additional test is 
not required if the animals are exported within 6 months of the whole 
herd test.
    Such cattle, if required to be quarantined under the regulations in 
Sec. 93.411, must also be tested for tuberculosis with negative results 
during the last 10 days of quarantine. Further, such cattle from Mexico 
must be detained at the port of entry under the supervision of the port 
veterinarian until tested for tuberculosis with negative results.

Cattle From Mexico

    Under this interim rule, cattle from a herd or herds in Mexico in 
which one or more reactors to the tuberculin test have been disclosed 
are not eligible for importation until the herd to which the animals in 
the lot belong achieves accredited herd status as defined in 
Sec. 93.400 of the regulations, and provided that the animals offered 
for entry have met the other applicable requirements of this section.
    Further, as stated above, sexually intact cattle from Mexico must 
be detained at the port of entry under the supervision of the port 
veterinarian until tested for tuberculosis with negative results. Under 
this interim rule, in the event that any reactor is disclosed in any 
lot when tested at the port of entry, the entire lot will be refused 
entry and the entire lot or any portion thereof will not be eligible 
for importation until the herd to which the animals in the lot belong 
achieves accredited herd status as defined in Sec. 93.400 of the 
regulations, and provided that the animals offered for entry have met 
the other applicable requirements of this section.

Cattle From Canada

    Under this interim rule, cattle from Canada are eligible for 
importation into the United States if accompanied by a certificate 
stating that the animals have been tested for tuberculosis in 
accordance with the new requirements described above. They also remain 
eligible for importation under the requirements in Sec. 93.418, which 
is not amended by this interim rule.

Immediate Action

    Immediate action is necessary to protect against the spread of 
tuberculosis within the United States. The prevalence of tuberculosis 
in many countries that export cattle to the United States, combined 
with the potential importation of increasingly large numbers of cattle 
from certain of these countries, presents a significant threat to the 
success of the tuberculosis eradication program in the United States, 
unless action is taken to reduce the risk of tuberculosis-affected 
cattle being imported into this country. In order to address the risk 
posed by imported cattle, APHIS is amending its regulations to require 
additional testing of cattle for tuberculosis prior to importation into 
the United States. Under these circumstances, the Administrator has 
determined that prior notice and opportunity for public comment are 
contrary to the public interest.
    We will consider comments that are received within 60 days of 
publication of this rule in the Federal Register. After the comment 
period closes, we will publish another document in the Federal 
Register. The document will include a discussion of any comments we 
receive and any amendments we are making to the rule as a result of the 
comments.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. The rule 
has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive 
Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget.
    This emergency situation makes timely compliance with section 604 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) impracticable. 
We are currently assessing the potential economic effects of this 
action on small entities. Based on that assessment, we will either 
certify that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities or publish a final regulatory 
flexibility analysis.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule; (2) has no 
retroactive effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings 
before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains no new information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.).

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 93

    Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock, Poultry and poultry products, 
Quarantine, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Accordingly, we are amending 9 CFR part 93 as follows:

PART 93--IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND POULTRY, AND 
CERTAIN ANIMAL, BIRD, AND POULTRY PRODUCTS; REQUIREMENTS FOR MEANS 
OF CONVEYANCE AND SHIPPING CONTAINERS

    1. The authority citation for part 93 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622; 19 U.S.C. 1306; 21 U.S.C. 102-105, 
111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 
9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.


    2. Section 93.400 is amended by revising the definition for 
``Herd'' and

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by adding, in alphabetical order, new definitions to read as follows:


Sec. 93.400  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Accredited herd. An accredited herd is one that has passed at least 
two consecutive annual official tuberculin tests and has no evidence of 
bovine tuberculosis. All animals in a herd must be free from 
tuberculosis.
* * * * *
    Herd. Any group of one or more animals maintained for at least 4 
months on common ground or two or more groups of animals under common 
ownership or supervision on two or more premises that are 
geographically separated, but among which there is an interchange or 
movement of animals. For a group of one or more animals to qualify as a 
herd for the purposes of Sec. 93.406, animals may be moved into the 
herd during or after the 4-month qualifying period only if they:
    (1) Originated from a tuberculosis-free herd; or
    (2) Originated from an accredited herd or a herd that tested 
negative to a whole herd test, and the individual cattle to be added to 
the herd also tested negative to any additional individual tests for 
tuberculosis required by the Administrator.
* * * * *
    Official tuberculin test. A test for bovine tuberculosis that is 
approved by the Administrator as equivalent to the international 
standard test described in the Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests 
and Vaccines, Office International des Epozooties, and that is applied 
and reported by a salaried official of the government of the exporting 
region.
* * * * *
    Whole herd test. An official tuberculin test of all cattle in a 
herd that are 6 months of age or older, and of all cattle in the herd 
that are less than 6 months of age and were not born into the herd, 
except those cattle that are less than 6 months of age and:
    (1) Were born in and originated from a tuberculosis-free herd; or
    (2) Were born in and originated from an accredited herd or 
originated from a herd that has tested negative to a whole herd test, 
and the individual cattle have tested negative to any additional 
individual tests for tuberculosis required by the Administrator.
* * * * *

    3. In Sec. 93.406, paragraphs (a) and (c) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 93.406  Diagnostic tests.

    (a) Tuberculosis and brucellosis tests of cattle. Except as 
provided in Secs. 93.418, 93.427(d), and 93.432, all cattle imported 
from any part of the world, except for immediate slaughter, must be 
accompanied by a certificate of a salaried veterinary officer of the 
national government of the region of origin, or if exported from 
Mexico, must be accompanied either by such a certificate or by a 
certificate issued by a veterinarian accredited by the National 
Government of Mexico and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinary 
officer of the National Government of Mexico, thereby representing that 
the veterinarian issuing the certificate was authorized to do so, 
stating that:
    (1) Brucellosis. The cattle have been tested for brucellosis with 
negative results within 30 days prior to the date of their exportation 
to the United States; Provided, that the brucellosis test will not be 
required for steers, spayed heifers, or any cattle less than 6 months 
old. The certificate must give the dates and places of testing, names 
of the consignor and consignee, and a description of the cattle, with 
breed, ages, and markings; and
    (2) Tuberculosis. (i) For steers and spayed heifers, the cattle 
originated from a herd that tested negative to a whole herd test for 
tuberculosis within 1 year prior to the date of exportation to the 
United States, and the animals each tested negative to an additional 
official tuberculin test conducted within 60 days prior to the date of 
exportation to the United States; or
    (ii) For sexually intact cattle that are from an accredited herd, 
the herd was certified as an accredited herd for tuberculosis within 1 
year prior to the date of exportation to the United States; or
    (iii) For sexually intact cattle that are not from an accredited 
herd, the cattle originated from a herd that tested negative to a whole 
herd test for tuberculosis within 1 year prior to the date of 
exportation to the United States, and the animals each tested negative 
to one additional official tuberculin test conducted no more than 6 
months and no less than 60 days prior to the date of exportation to the 
United States, except that the additional test is not required if the 
animals are exported within 6 months of the whole herd test.
* * * * *
    (c) Further tests during quarantine. Ruminants that have been 
tested as prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and that 
are subject to quarantine at the port of entry, as provided in 
Sec. 93.411, must be retested during the last 10 days of the quarantine 
period under the supervision of a veterinary inspector by one or more 
of the methods approved by the Administrator, except that cattle tested 
in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section are not required 
to be retested for tuberculosis.

    4. In Sec. 93.427, paragraph (c) is amended as follows:
    a. By removing paragraph (c)(1).
    b. By redesignating paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(5) 
as paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4), respectively.
    c. By revising newly designated paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 93.427  Cattle from Mexico.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Cattle from a herd or herds in which one or more reactors to 
the tuberculin test have been disclosed shall not be eligible for 
importation until the herd to which the animals in the lot belong 
achieve accredited herd status as defined in Sec. 93.400, and provided 
that the animals offered for entry have met the other applicable 
requirements of this section.
    (3) All sexually intact cattle accompanied by the certificate 
required by Sec. 93.405(a) will be detained at the port of entry under 
the supervision of the port veterinarian until tested for tuberculosis 
with negative results: Provided, That if any reactor is disclosed in 
any lot when so tested at the port of entry, the entire lot will be 
refused entry and the entire lot or any portion of it will not be 
eligible for importation until the herd to which the animals in the lot 
belong achieve accredited herd status as defined in Sec. 93.400, and 
provided that the animals offered for entry have met the other 
applicable requirements of this section.
* * * * *

    Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of April 2001.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9795 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P