APHIS Proposes To Remove Restrictions on Imports of Live Sheep and Goats, Meats and Byproducts

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to amend its regulations on importation of animals and animal products to remove import restrictions on sheep and goats related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The agency’s proposed rule would remove BSE-related restrictions on imports of live sheep and goats, including through regulations that would allow for importation of live sheep and goats from anywhere in the world, as well as sheep and goat products including meat, byproducts and germ plasm. The proposal would also impose new BSE-related restrictions on importation of certain ruminants held in zoological facilities and certain wild ruminants, i.e., other than domesticated bovines, sheet and goats. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 16.