Cancellation of Requirement for Certification of Used Tire Casings from Asia Prior to Entry into the United States

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cancellation of Requirement for Certification of Used Tire

Casings from Asia Prior to Entry into the United States

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of cancellation of requirement for certification of used

tire casings from Asia prior to entry into the United States.

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SUMMARY: Since January 1, 1988, CDC has required that all used tire

casings imported from Asia must be certified as dry, clean, and free of

insects, to prevent further importation of the Asian mosquito Aedes

albopictus. Despite these efforts, the species is now widely

established in 28 states. Because the certification requirements have

not proved to be effective, CDC is proposing to rescind them, following

a thirty (30)-day period for public comment.

DATES: Written Comments must be received on or before May 12, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James E. Barrow (404) 639-8107; E-

mail [email protected]), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600

Clifton Rd., NE, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of

Quarantine, Mail Stop E-03, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Investigations conducted by CDC in 1986 established that Aedes

albopictus and other mosquito species were being imported into the

United States from Asia in used tire casings. Since these mosquitoes

have the potential to transmit certain viral diseases to humans, such

as dengue and other arboviruses including several that are native to

the Americas, their presence was considered a potential public health

threat. As of October 1, 1987, 15 states were known to be infested with

Aedes albopictus. Interstate trade in used tires was believed to be a

major factor in disseminating the species within the United States.

Consequently, effective January 1, 1988, under the authority of section

361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 CFR

71.32(c), CDC imposed a requirement that all used tire casings

originating from Asia must be certified as being dry, clean, and

disinsected. Specific measures for disinsection and certification were

defined in a Federal Register notice dated November 20, 1987 (52 FR

44836). In order to monitor compliance with the requirements, the CDC

Division of Quarantine conducted an energetic program of random

inspections, which showed large-scale noncompliance, even though

penalties were imposed.

Despite these enforcement efforts, Aedes albopictus has spread to

28 states, the approximate geographic limits of its potential

distribution in the United States. A recent CDC study concluded that

further colonization within those limits is inevitable. The study,

published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association

in March 1998 (14:83-94), found that, because of the vast size and

distribution of the existing population, the number of mosquitoes that

could be introduced from overseas is insignificant. Because of its

exploitation of natural and artificial habitats, Aedes albopictus is

extremely difficult to control and should be considered a permanently

established species in the United States. In addition, although it is

capable of transmitting numerous viruses, there is to date no evidence

of any transmission to humans in the United States. The

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effect of the present requirement is therefore negligible, and the cost

of the requirement, both to industry and government, can no longer be

justified.

Accordingly, CDC is seeking public comment on its proposal to

rescind the requirement for certification of used tire casings from

Asia prior to entry into the United States. Comments are sought for

thirty (30) days, after which CDC will publish in the Federal Register

a notice and effective date of action.

Dated: April 6, 1999.

Joseph R. Carter,

Acting Associate Director of Management and Operation, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 99-8987 Filed 4-9-99; 8:45 am]

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