APHIS Removes Import and Export Restrictions on Animals for Rinderpest

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its regulations on animals and animal products to remove restrictions previously in place to combat the disease rinderpest, it said in a final rule. The animal disease has been declared fully eradicated, so the restrictions are no longer necessary, APHIS said. The agency’s regulations will no longer restrict importation and exportation of animal products due to rinderpest, nor will they specify permit and certificate requirements related to the disease. References to rinderpest will be maintained only in the APHIS regulations on select agents and toxins, the agency said. The final rule takes effect April 11.