Specifically Approved States Authorized To Receive Mares and Stallions Imported From CEM-Affected Countries

We are amending the animal importation regulations by adding Texas to the list of States approved to receive certain mares and stallions imported into the United States from countries affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM). We are taking this action because Texas has entered into an agreement with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to enforce its State laws and regulations to control CEM and to require inspection, treatment, and testing of horses, as required by Federal regulations, to further ensure the horses' freedom from CEM. This action relieves unnecessary restrictions on importers of mares and stallions from countries affected with CEM.