[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31220-31221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13360]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 93

[Docket No. APHIS-2008-0112]
RIN 0579-AD31


Importation of Horses From Contagious Equine Metritis-Affected 
Countries

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule; delay of enforcement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On March 25, 2011, we published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register to amend the regulations regarding the importation of horses 
from countries affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM) by 
incorporating an additional certification requirement for imported 
horses 731 days of age or less and adding new testing protocols for 
test mares and imported stallions and mares more than 731 days of age. 
That interim rule became effective on March 25, 2011; however, we are 
delaying the enforcement of the interim rule until July 25, 2011. This 
action is necessary to provide CEM testing facilities time to make 
adjustments to their operating procedures that are necessary for the 
rule to be successfully implemented.

DATES: Enforcement of the interim rule amending 9 CFR part 93, 
published at 76 FR 16683-16686 on March 25, 2011, is delayed until July 
25, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Ellen Buck, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Equine Imports, National Center for Import and Export, 
VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 36, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 
734-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 9 CFR part 93 (referred to below as the 
regulations) prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals 
into the United States to prevent the introduction of communicable 
diseases of livestock and poultry. ``Subpart C--Horses,'' Sec. Sec.  
93.300 through 93.326, pertains to the importation of horses into the 
United States. Sections 93.301 and 93.304 of the regulations contain 
specific provisions for the importation of horses from regions affected 
with contagious equine metritis (CEM), which is a highly contagious 
venereal disease of horses and other equines caused by an infection 
with the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis.
    On March 25, 2011, we published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register (76 FR 16683-16686, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0112) to amend the 
regulations regarding the importation of horses from countries affected 
with CEM by incorporating an additional certification requirement for 
imported horses 731 days of age or less and adding new testing 
protocols for test mares and imported stallions and mares more than 731 
days of age. The provisions of the interim rule became effective March 
25, 2011, and we will consider all comments on the interim rule 
received on or before May 24, 2011.

Delay of Enforcement

    After the publication of the interim rule, we received comments 
that raised a variety of issues, including the feasibility of 
immediately implementing certain requirements.
    Based on our review of the comments received to date, we consider 
it advisable to delay our enforcement of

[[Page 31221]]

the interim rule until July 25, 2011. This additional time will allow 
CEM testing facilities to make any adjustments to their operating 
procedures that may be necessary in order to successfully implement the 
interim rule.
    Accordingly, we are delaying enforcement of the interim rule 
amending 9 CFR part 93, published at 76 FR 16683-16686 on March 25, 
2011, until July 25, 2011.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301-8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 
31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of May 2011.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13360 Filed 5-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P