Availability of a Risk Analysis Evaluating the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Status of Japan

Resumen

We are advising the public that a risk analysis has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concerning the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) status of Japan and the risk of susceptible animals and animal products from Japan harboring the FMD virus. This evaluation will be used as a basis for determining whether the Animal and Plant Health Inspection again recognizes Japan as free of FMD and allows the importation of whole cuts of boneless beef from Japan to resume. Other ruminant meat and meat byproducts, as well as fresh pork, live ruminants, and live swine, would remain prohibited due to Japan's status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, classical swine fever, and swine vesicular disease. We are making this evaluation available to the public for review and comment.