APHIS Proposes to Loosen BSE Restrictions on Bovines, Bovine Products From Four Countries

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to loosen requirements on importation of bovines and bovine products from Poland, Croatia, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it said in a notice. APHIS intends to reclassify the four countries as having negligible risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, concurring with recommendations recently issued by the Organization for Animal Health, the agency said. Poland, Croatia, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently classified as having controlled risk of BSE. Imports of bovines and bovine products from countries with controlled BSE risk face tighter restrictions. Comments are due June 25.