Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions; Importation of Live Bovines and Products Derived From Bovines

We are amending the regulations regarding the importation of animals and animal products to establish conditions for the importation of the following commodities from regions that present a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy into the United States: Live bovines for any use born on or after a date determined by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to be the date of effective enforcement of a ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban in the region of export; blood and blood products derived from bovines; and casings and part of the small intestine derived from bovines. We are making these amendments after conducting a risk assessment and comprehensive evaluation of the issues and concluding that such bovines and bovine products can be safely imported under the conditions described in this rule. This document also removes the delay in applicability of certain provisions of a final rule published in January 2005.