APHIS Intends to Loosen BSE Import Restrictions on Imports of Bovines From Several Countries

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to loosen restrictions on importation of live bovines and bovine products from several countries, it said (here). The agency said it preliminarily concurs with the Organization for Animal Health’s decision to classify Costa Rica, Germany, Lithuania, Mexico, Namibia, Romania and Spain as having negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Under a 2013 final rule, bovines and bovine products may be imported from Mexico, Canada, or regions of negligible or controlled risk for BSE, subject to certain conditions (see 13110403). Romania and Namibia are currently not listed as either negligible or controlled risk countries, according to a list on the APHIS website (here). Comments are due March 24.