Change in Disease Status of the Dominican Republic Because of Hog Cholera

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of swine and pork and pork products by removing the Dominican Republic from the list of countries considered to be free from hog cholera. We are taking this action based on reports we have received from the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Agriculture that an outbreak of hog cholera has occurred in the Dominican Republic. As a result of this action, there will be additional restrictions on the importation of pork and pork products into the United States from the Dominican Republic, and the importation of swine from the Dominican Republic will be prohibited.