USDA Reopens Comment Period for High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Requirements for Importing Birds, Poultry and Hatching Eggs
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reopening, for review and comment, an interim rule that amended the regulations to prohibit or restrict the importation of live birds, poultry and poultry products from regions where any subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is considered to exist. APHIS’ previous restrictions covered only the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza. The changes are necessary to prevent the introduction of HPAI into the United States.
APHIS is also prohibiting importation of live birds or poultry that have been vaccinated for any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza or that have moved through regions where any HPAI subtype exists. These restrictions also apply to hatching eggs laid by birds or poultry vaccinated for the H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza. Pet and theatrical birds of U.S. origin that have been in regions where any HPAI subtype is know to exist must enter the United States through specific ports of entry.
APHIS is reopening the comment period in order to allow additional time for interested persons to comment on this rule.
This notice was published in the May 3 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before May 18. You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2006-0074 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
* Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov website and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.
Source: APHIS, USDA