Importation and Interstate Movement of Certain Land Tortoises

We are adopting as a final rule, with two changes, two interim rules concerning the importation and interstate movement of certain land tortoises. The first interim rule established regulations to prohibit the importation and interstate movement of leopard tortoise, African spurred tortoise, and Bell's hingeback tortoise. The second interim rule amended the regulations by allowing the interstate movement of these land tortoises if they were accompanied by a health certificate signed by a Federal or accredited veterinarian stating that the tortoises have been examined by that veterinarian and found free of ticks. This document amends the second interim rule by allowing that certificate to be either a health certificate or a certificate of veterinary inspection and by providing that only an accredited veterinarian may sign the certificate. This action is necessary to enable the export, interstate commerce, health care, and adoption of these types of tortoises while providing protection against the spread of exotic ticks known to be vectors of heartwater disease. This action will also relieve an unnecessary burden on Federal veterinarians.