FSIS Updates Its Instructions on Imports of Live Bovine from Canada to Reflect APHIS Final Rule, Etc.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued Notice 76-07 on the "Importation of Canadian Cattle, Bison, Sheep, and Goats into the United States."
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FSIS states that this notice provides updated information to its personnel about the receipt, slaughter, and inspection of such animals imported from Canada. The notice cancels FSIS Notice 14-07 and updates FSIS' instructions for inspection of these animals. In addition, the notice reflects changes made by a September 2007 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service final rule.
(In September 2007, APHIS issued a final rule, effective November 19, 2007, that established conditions for the importation of live bovines and certain bovine products from regions that present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, aka mad cow disease). Currently only Canada qualifies.
The APHIS final rule allowed for the importation from Canada of all live bovines born on or after March 1, 1999 and allowed for imports of bovine blood and blood products, small intestines (minus the distal ileum), and casings from Canada. In addition, it removed the delay in applicability of a January 2005 APHIS final rule that had allowed for imports of bovines (less than 30 months old) and certain bovine products from Canada (or other countries qualifying as BSE minimal-risk regions).)
FSIS Identifies Changes Resulting From Final Rule, Etc.
According to FSIS, its notice contains the following updates and changes from FSIS Notice 14-07 for the inspection of cattle, bison, sheep, and goats:
(1) Bovines born after March 1, 1999 arriving from Canada are eligible for slaughter. (FSIS states that APHIS border personnel will make this determination at the border based on certifications by Canadian officials. Should FSIS personnel note any irregularities in this regard, FSIS will hold the affected bovines and will report their findings to the Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) for disposition);
(2) Verification of animals coming from the feedlot refers to activities involving sheep and goats only in this notice and no longer involves bovines. (FSIS states that the restrictions on sheep and goats in APHIS' final rule have not changed. Sheep and goats must be less than 12 months old and must not be pregnant to be eligible for slaughter. Inspection program personnel will still verify that establishments ensure the eligibility of sheep and goats arriving for immediate slaughter and from feedlots);
(3) Inspection program personnel are to conduct another awareness meeting at establishments that have chosen to, or that may choose to, receive ruminants from Canada;
(4) FSIS will no longer hold pregnant bovines. Pregnant cattle and bison are now eligible for slaughter;
(5) Collection of fetal bovine serum from the fetuses of Canadian animals is no longer prohibited; and
(6) There is a new place to send the VS Form 1-27, "Permit for Movement of Restricted Animals." (FSIS states that a copy of the signed and dated VS Form 1-27 (Part 2) should be sent to the local APHIS office. Link to area offices is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/20/07 news, 07092010, for BP summary of APHIS' September 2007 final rule.)
FSIS contact - | Policy Development Division (technical questions) | (800)233-3935 |
FSIS notice (76-07, dated 11/16/07) available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/76-07.pdf