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Jim Rogers       (202) 690-4755
Jerry Redding   (202) 720-4623 

USDA DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF SPRING VIREMIA OF CARP REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is delaying implementation of an interim rule published Aug. 30 that restricts the importation into the United States of live fish, fertilized eggs and gametes of fish species that are susceptible to spring viremia of carp (SVC), a serious contagious viral disease of carp.
 
The interim rule, Spring Viremia of Carp; Import Restrictions on Certain Live Fish, Fertilized Eggs and Gametes, was scheduled to take effect Sept. 29.  The implementation of the rule will be delayed 30 days to Oct. 30.  APHIS took this action to ensure that importers and foreign exporters have enough time to meet requirements of the rule.

Under the interim rule, importers of SVC-susceptible species must obtain an import permit and a health certificate from the shipment’s region of origin certifying that the live fish, fertilized eggs or gametes originated in an SVC-free area.  This certification must be supported by ongoing SVC surveillance conducted under specific conditions for two years.  In addition, live fish, fertilized eggs and gametes of SVC-susceptible species will be subject to additional new restrictions such as importation through designated ports of entry and meeting containment requirements for shipments that are in transit through the United States.  Importers will be subject to user fees for obtaining import permits and port of entry inspections.

Notice of the delay in implementation is published in the Sept. 27 Federal Register and becomes effective. Oct. 30.
 

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