USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking comments no later than September 19 on a proposed rule that would facilitate the importation of poultry from the European Union. This proposal would recognize 25 of the 27 EU member states as the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region and add this region to the list of those considered free of Newcastle disease. APHIS has also determined that this region meets the requirements for being considered free of highly pathogenic avian influenza. In addition, APHIS is proposing to establish requirements governing the importation of live birds and poultry, including hatching eggs, and poultry meat and products from the APHIS-defined EU poultry trade region and to update avian disease terms and definitions. The Federal Register notice is available at www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-07-19/pdf/2011-18108.pdf.
