USDA sets interim rule on certain bird imports

USDA sets interim rule on certain bird imports    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued an interim rule in the Federal Register on Monday prohibiting the import of birds and poultry products from regions where any subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) exists.
   The agency's previous restrictions covered only the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza. The changes are needed to prevent the introduction of HPAI into the United States, APHIS said.
   APHIS is also adding restrictions for live poultry and birds that have been vaccinated for any H5 or H7 subtype of HPAI or that have moved through regions where any HPAI subtype exists.
   In addition, APHIS is prohibiting the import of live birds, poultry and hatching eggs that travel through areas where any HPAI subtype is known to exist. Live birds and poultry are at risk because they cannot be kept in completely sealed containers and protected from contamination.
   Pet and theatrical birds of U.S. origin that have been in regions where any HPAI subtype is known to exist must enter the United States through certain ports of entry. Previous regulations only applied to U.S. origin pet and theatrical birds returning to the United States from areas where the HPAI subtype H5N1 was known to exist.
   In connection with the changes related to HPAI, APHIS is establishing a list of regions where any HPAI subtype may exist. The list will be maintained on the APHIS National Center for Import and Export Web site.