USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Animal Export Rule Updates

The USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public input for possible updates to the agency's live animal export rules.

 

Current regulations include requirements for export certifications, tests, and treatments. In a written statement, APHIS said the proposed updates would remove many of those requirements and have individuals work to meet the specific import requirements of the country they are exporting the animal to. The statement said APHIS would retain certain export requirements considered necessary to ensure animals' health and welfare.

 

Under the proposed rules, animals intended for export must be accompanied by an export health certificate if the importing country requires one. Also, the pre-export livestock inspection would, under certain circumstances, be allowed to take place at facilities other than an inspection site at the port of embarkation. Finally, specific standards for export inspection facilities and ocean transport vessels would be replaced with performance standards.

 

Noelle R. Hayden, APHIS public affairs specialist, said the proposed rules would only pertain to animals intended for permanent export from the United States.

 

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.