Change in Disease Status of Austria Because of Rinderpest, Foot- and-Mouth Disease, and Swine Vesicular Disease

Samenvatting

We are proposing to declare Austria free of rinderpest, foot- and-mouth disease, and swine vesicular disease. As part of this proposed action, we would add Austria to the lists of countries that, although declared free of rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, and swine vesicular disease, are subject to restrictions on meat and other animal products offered for importation into the United States. We would also add Austria to the list of countries from which the importation into the United States of llamas and alpacas is restricted. Declaring Austria free of rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, and swine vesicular disease appears to be appropriate because the last outbreak of rinderpest in Europe occurred prior to 1921, there have been no outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Austria since 1981, and there have been no outbreaks of swine vesicular disease since 1979. This proposed rule would remove the prohibition on the importation into the United States, from Austria, 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 restrictions on the importation, from Austria, of