Importation of Wild Turkey Carcasses

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 94-058-2]

Importation of Wild Turkey Carcasses

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: We are withdrawing a proposed rule that would have allowed the

carcasses of wild turkeys from countries where exotic Newcastle disease

is considered to exist to be brought into the United States if the

head, feet, and viscera of the wild turkeys had been removed. We are

taking this action after considering the comments we received following

the publication of the proposed rule.

DATES: This withdrawal is effective October 10, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Gray, Senior Staff

Veterinarian, Import/Export Products, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit

40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-7885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On February 21, 1995, we published in the Federal Register (60 FR

9633-9634, Docket No. 94-058-1) a proposed rule to amend the

regulations in 9 CFR part 94 to allow wild turkey carcasses from

countries where exotic Newcastle disease is considered to exist to be

brought into the United States if the head, feet, and viscera of the

wild turkeys had been removed.

We solicited comments on the proposed rule for 60 days ending on

April 24, 1995. By the close of the comment period, we had received a

total of five comments. The comments were submitted by representatives

of the poultry industry and a university veterinarian. All of the

commenters opposed the proposed rule.

All five commenters believed that the proposed rule would adversely

affect the poultry industry. Some commenters were concerned that raw

carcasses that had the head, viscera, and feet removed would still

harbor viable viruses. The commenters stated that the avian

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influenza and Newcastle viruses still pose a threat in Mexico, and that

these viruses could be present in improperly or inadequately dressed

birds. Commenters also stated that wild turkeys killed by hunters could

have internal or external fecal contamination as a result of damage

caused by a bullet or an arrow passing through the bird, and pointed

out that fecal shed of the avian influenza and Newcastle viruses has

been documented. One commenter also suggested that the proposed change

would encourage hunters to field dress their own game, rather than

having the game dressed, cooked, and sealed by commercial services in

the foreign country, which would increase the potential for

contamination of the hunter's clothing and equipment with exotic

disease agents.

After considering all the comments we received, we have concluded

that it is necessary to reexamine the disease risk issues associated

with the importation into the United States of wild turkey carcasses.

Therefore, we are withdrawing the February 21, 1995, proposed rule

referenced above. The concerns and recommendations of all the

commenters will be considered if any new proposed regulations regarding

the importation of wild turkey carcasses are developed.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162, and 450; 19 U.S.C.

1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31

U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331, and 4332; 7 CFR 2.17, 2.51, and

371.2(d).

Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of October 1995.

Terry L. Medley,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 95-25014 Filed 10-6-95; 8:45 am]

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