Change in Disease Status of Germany Because of Swine Vesicular Disease

Résumé

We are proposing to declare Germany free of swine vesicular disease. As part of this proposed action, we would add Germany to the list of countries that, although declared free of swine vesicular disease, are subject to restrictions on pork and pork products offered for importation into the United States. Declaring Germany free of swine vesicular disease appears to be appropriate because there have been no confirmed outbreaks of swine vesicular disease in Germany since 1981. This proposed rule would relieve certain restrictions on the importation of pork and pork products into the United States from Germany. However, because Germany shares common land borders with countries affected by swine vesicular disease, imports pork products from countries affected by swine vesicular disease, and is still considered to be affected with hog cholera, the importation into the United States of pork and pork products from Germany would continue to be restricted.