USDA TO AMEND HORSE IMPORT REGULATIONS

USDA TO AMEND HORSE IMPORT REGULATIONS    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will amend its rules for the importation of horses into the country by requiring earlier cancellation notices from importers.
   Under a new fee structure, an importer who cancels a reservation at least 30 business days prior to the reservation date will be charged 25 percent of the reservation fee. An importer who cancels a reservation 15 to 29 business days prior to the reservation date will be assessed 50 percent of the reservation fee. An importer who cancels a reservation less than 15 days before the reservation date will forfeit 100 percent of the reservation fee.
   “This action is meant to improve the occupancy rate of stall space, and therefore, the efficiency of import quarantine facilities,” the USDA said.
   The interim rule will be published in the Federal Register today. The horse import industry will have until Feb. 7 to comment on the rule.