Exercise Roving Sands Update

Plant Protection and Quarantine

May 2001

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains vigilant in its efforts to prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into the United States. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to work cooperatively with the U.S. military on Exercise Roving Sands.

On May 11, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) imposed its own restrictions on Exercise Roving Sands. All military vehicles from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are prohibited from entering the United States. Only manned portable equipment arriving by aircraft will be allowed from these two countries. Military equipment from Germany, properly cleaned and disinfected, is not restricted.

On May 15, military vehicles from Germany arrived at Fort Biggs, TX. Upon examination of the equipment, APHIS inspectors found that some of the equipment did not meet APHIS cleanliness standards for entry. Following APHIS protocol, those pieces were rejected, reloaded on the ship, and were returned to Germany. APHIS allowed clean equipment to enter the United States.

While Germany has not suffered an outbreak of FMD, APHIS continues to be on guard to protect against the disease, which has affected several European Union Member States.

USDA takes every precaution, including inspections, use of canine teams, and x rays, to ensure that military equipment from foreign countries meets all required safeguards. The United States has been free of FMD since 1929.

For more information about FMD, visit the USDA website at www.usda.gov. For recorded traveler information call 1-866-SAFGUARD.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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