Press Release

Suzan Holl	(301) 734-6464
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA CLASSIFIES FOUR MEXICAN STATES FREE OF CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2005–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its regulations by adding the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Sonora and Yucatan to the list of regions considered free of classical swine fever (CSF).

APHIS has conducted a series of risk evaluations and has determined that these four states have met the requirements for being recognized as free of this disease. This action authorizes the importation into the United States of pork, pork products, live swine and swine semen from these regions as a result of the CSF status. However, import of certain commodities may be restricted because of risk from other porcine diseases endemic in Mexico.

This rule also requires live swine, pork and pork products imported into the United States from the four Mexican states to be certified as having originated in one of those states or in another region recognized by APHIS as free of CSF and as not having been commingled, prior to export to the United States, with animals and animal products from regions where CSF exists.

Notice of this action is scheduled to be published in the March 28 Federal Register and will become effective April 12. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.