USDA Announces the Availability of Evaluations on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest Status of a Region in Patagonia, Argentina

USDA Announces the Availability of Evaluations on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Rinderpest Status of a Region in Patagonia, Argentina

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today made available for a 60-day public review and comment period a new risk assessment that finds foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is not present in the Patagonia Region of Argentina and that the surveillance, prevention, and control measures in place there are sufficient to minimize the likelihood of introducing FMD into the United States via imports. 

 

This recognition by APHIS would enable the export of fresh meat, as well as live cattle, sheep, and goats, from the Patagonia Region to the United States.  The updated risk analysis also responds to concerns and comments received on the analysis that accompanied a 2007 proposed rule to recognize the Patagonia Region as FMD and rinderpest free. APHIS is also issuing a notice that it is withdrawing this proposed rule. 

 

APHIS’ work to analyze the animal health status of the Patagonia Region follows a request from Argentina to export meat and live animals from the region to the United States. 

 

USDA also prepared and will today publish the results of an evaluation determining the status of rinderpest in South America.  The evaluation determined that rinderpest is not present in the entirety of Argentina.

 

APHIS recently announced that we are evaluating a request from Brazil to export meat and meat products from 14 States in Brazil.  APHIS, based on a risk analysis, has proposed to allow those exports.  To allow interested stakeholders to have additional time to review the proposal and provide comment, APHIS will be extending the comment period on the Brazil beef proposed rule.  The details of the comment period extension are still being finalized and notice of the extension will be forthcoming in the Federal Register.

 

APHIS will carefully consider all comments it receives on the updated risk analysis as it determines if it will re-propose to recognize the Patagonia Region as free of FMD and rinderpest and allow exports from the region. 

 

Copies of the Federal Register Notices and associated risk assessments are now available on the APHIS Home Page at www.aphis.usda.gov