SPS Module 2 Logo. SPS Module 2 Logo.
SPS Online.
Principles of the SPS Agreement.
APHIS and the General Approval Process.
Overview.
PPQ, VS and IS.
Other Agencies.
Plants and Plant Products.
Request to Export or Import.
Enterable Commodities.
Denial and Risk Assessment Determination.
Risk Assessment.
Entry with Inspection.
Mitigating Risk.
The Rulemaking Process.
Animals and Animal Products.
Regionalization.
Regionalization Request.
Regionalization Approval.
Risk Classification and Management.
Argentine Beef Example.
Conclusion.
Handouts.
Rulemaking Process.
Request Requirements.
Approval Process.

Animals and Animal Products

Regionalization

The process for importation animals and animal products into the United States is similar in many respects to the one used for plant and plant products. Apart from the fact that they are different types of commodities, the differences relate mostly to the terminology used and to mitigation and quarantine approaches. One of the main differences in terminology is the concept of regionalization.

A region can be:
  • A national entity (country)
  • Part of a national entity (zone, county, department, municipality, parish, Province, State, etc.)
  • Parts of several national entities combined into an area; or
  • A group of national entities (countries) combined into a single area.

APHIS adopted a policy in 1997 of recognizing regions, rather than only countries, for the purpose of the importation of animals and animal products into the United States. This policy currently applies to ruminants and swine. Regions may request permission to export these commodities to the United States under specified conditions, based on the regions' disease status.

The new policy allows, under certain conditions, for the transiting some animal products that may not otherwise be allowed for importation into the United States By doing so the United States is fulfilling its commitments under SPS agreements.Regionalization is a policy that is intended to replace the past practice of recognizing "disease-free" or "not disease-free" status on a country-by-country basis. It focuses on specific commodities and the disease status of those commodities in a given region.