Cattle Exportations; Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Test Requirements

We are adopting as a final rule, with two changes, an interim rule that amended the regulations by eliminating requirements for pre- export diagnostic tests for tuberculosis and brucellosis in certain cattle being exported from the United States directly to slaughter. As amended by this document, the rule eliminates the tuberculosis and brucellosis test requirements for slaughter cattle exported from States free of brucellosis or tuberculosis and those exported to countries that the Administrator has determined have an acceptable disease surveillance system and that agree to share with the United States any findings of brucellosis or tuberculosis in U.S. origin cattle. We believe that these test requirements can be eliminated without compromising the integrity of our brucellosis and tuberculosis surveillance systems. This rule facilitates the movement of U.S. slaughter cattle to foreign countries.