USDA proposes beef imports from BSE minimal-risk regions

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed a rule to expand beef and cattle imports from minimal risk countries regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The proposal would allow the importation of:

• live cattle and other bovines for any use born on or after March 1, 1999;
• all beef and beef products;
• blood and blood products derived from bovines, collected under certain conditions;
• casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines.

According to officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the proposed listing of additional items for importation is based upon a thorough risk assessment completed by APHIS and the rule complies with internationally recognized World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.

The rule would expand upon the January 2005 rule that allowed the importation of certain live ruminants and ruminant products, including cattle less than 30 months of age for delivery to a slaughterhouse or feedlot, from countries recognized as minimal risk.