Change in Disease Status of Italy, Except the Island of Sardinia, Because of African Swine Fever

We are declaring Italy, with the exception of the island of Sardinia, free of African swine fever because there have been no confirmed outbreaks of African swine fever in Italy, except on the island of Sardinia, since 1983. This action will relieve certain restrictions on the importation into the United States of pork and pork products, including swine casings, from all regions of Italy except Sardinia. However, because hog cholera and swine vesicular disease exist in Italy, and because Italy, as a member state of the European Union, has certain trade practices regarding live swine and pork and pork products that are less restrictive than are acceptable to the United States, the importation into the United States of live swine and pork and pork products from Italy will continue to be subject to certain restrictions.