Change in Disease Status of Japan With Regard to Foot-and-Mouth Disease

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of certain animals, meat, and other animal products by adding Japan to the list of regions that are considered free of rinderpest and foot-and- mouth disease. We are taking this action because we have determined that Japan is now free of foot-and-mouth disease. We are also adding Japan to the list of regions that are subject to certain restrictions because of their proximity to or trading relationships with rinderpest- or foot-and-mouth disease-affected countries. These actions update the disease status of Japan with regard to foot-and-mouth disease while continuing to protect the United States from an introduction of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease by providing additional requirements for meat and meat products imported into the United States from Japan.