Press Release

Suzan Holl	(301) 734-6464
Jim Rogers	(202) 690-4755

USDA PROPOSES TO ADD ARGENTINA TO LIST OF REGIONS CONSIDERED FREE OF EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2005–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to amend import regulations regarding live poultry and poultry products by adding Argentina to the list of regions considered to be free of exotic Newcastle disease (END).

After conducting a risk evaluation, APHIS determined that Argentina has met the requirements to be recognized as free of END and is proposing certain trade restrictions are no longer necessary. However, since Argentina shares borders with regions that are not recognized by the United States to be free of the disease, APHIS is also proposing additional certification requirements for live poultry and poultry products exported to the United States to ensure they are free from END.

END is one of the most infectious poultry diseases in the world. It is a contagious and fatal viral disease that affects the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of all species of birds.

Notice of the proposed rule is published in the Aug. 23 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Oct. 24. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 04-083-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road , Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. If you wish to submit comments using the Internet, go to EDOCKET at http://www.epa.gov/feddocket, click on “View Open APHIS Dockets” and locate agency Docket No. 04-083-1.

Comments are posted on the EDOCKET Web site and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.

Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS news release page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/news/press.html. Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to receive APHIS press releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to lyris@mdrdlyriss10.aphis.usda.gov and leave the subject blank. In the message, type
subscribe press_releases.