Importation of Pork-Filled Pasta

We are amending the regulations regarding the importation of pork and pork products from regions affected with swine vesicular disease by establishing procedures for the importation of pork-filled pasta into the United States. The procedures require that the product contain only cooked or dry-cured pork otherwise eligible to enter the United States under the regulations; that the operator of any pork- filled pasta processing facility processing products for export to the United States enter into a cooperative service agreement with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service providing for unannounced inspections of the facility which are to be paid for by the facility; that the product not be commingled, directly or indirectly, with products ineligible to enter the United States; and that the product be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate confirming that the product has been prepared in accordance with the regulations. This action provides for the importation of pork-filled pasta under conditions designed to prevent the introduction of swine vesicular disease into the United States.