Importation of Used Farm Equipment From Regions Affected With Foot-and-Mouth Disease

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations concerning foot-and-mouth disease to prohibit the importation of used farm equipment from regions affected with foot-and-mouth disease unless the equipment has been steam-cleaned prior to export to the United States so that it is free of exposed dirt and other particulate matter. The interim rule also provided that cleaned equipment that arrives at the port of arrival with a minimal amount of exposed dirt may, under certain conditions, be cleaned at the port of arrival. The interim rule was necessary to help prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into the United States.