Uruguay; Change in Disease Status

We are proposing to declare Uruguay free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. As part of this proposed action, we would add Uruguay to the list of countries that, although declared free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease, are subject to restrictions on meat and other animal products offered for importation into the United States. Declaring Uruguay free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease appears to be appropriate because the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Uruguay occurred in 1989, there have been no vaccinations for foot-and-mouth disease in Uruguay since June 1994, and rinderpest has never existed in Uruguay. This proposed rule would remove the prohibition on the importation into the United States, from Uruguay, of ruminants and fresh, chilled, and frozen meat of ruminants, although those importations would be subject to certain restrictions. This proposed rule would also relieve certain prohibitions and restrictions on the importation, from Uruguay, of milk and milk products of ruminants.

Agency Contact: Dr. John Blackwell, Senior Staff Microbiologist, Import-Export Products, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-5875.