APHIS PR 16-033 60-day FRN

67661

Proposed Rules

Federal Register
Vol. 86, No. 226
Monday, November 29, 2021

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
9 CFR Part 93
[Docket No. APHIS–2016–0033]
RIN 0579–AE62

Import Regulations for Horses
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:

We are proposing to amend
the regulations for the importation of
equines. These changes include
increasing the number of days horses
exported from regions free from
contagious equine metritis (CEM) are
allowed to spend in a CEM-affected
region and re-enter the United States
without testing from 60 days to 90 days;
requiring an import permit for horses
transiting through CEM-affected regions;
adding requirements for health
certifications to ensure health
certifications properly attest to the
health of the imported horse; removing
the requirement that horses
permanently imported from Canada
undergo inspection at the port of entry;
requiring that horses transiting Central
America or the West Indies comply with
the same regulations that apply to
horses directly imported from these
regions; and adding requirements for
shipping containers used in transporting
horses. We are also proposing a number
of miscellaneous changes to the
regulations such as clarifications of
existing policy or intent, and corrections
of inconsistencies or outdated
information. Many of these proposed
changes would better align our
regulations with international standards
and allow us and the equine industry
more flexibility. The proposed changes
would also add further safeguards that
protect against introducing or
disseminating pests or diseases of
livestock into the United States.

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SUMMARY:

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We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before January 28,
2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–
2016–0033 in the Search field. Select
the Documents tab, then select the
Comment button in the list of
documents.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2016–0033, Regulatory Analysis
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
Supporting documents and any
comments we receive on this docket
may be viewed at www.regulations.gov
or in our reading room, which is located
in Room 1620 of the USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal
reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Iwona Popkowski, VS Strategy and
Policy, Live Animal Imports, VS,
APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 39,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–
3300.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:

Background
Under the Animal Health Protection
Act (AHPA, 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the
Secretary of Agriculture may prohibit or
restrict the importation or entry of any
animal, article, or means of conveyance
if the Secretary determines that the
prohibition or restriction is necessary to
prevent the introduction into or
dissemination within the United States
of any pest or disease of livestock. The
AHPA also authorizes the Secretary to
prohibit or restrict the use of any means
of conveyance in connection with the
importation or entry of livestock if the
Secretary determines that the
prohibition or restriction is necessary
because the means of conveyance has
not been maintained in a clean and
sanitary condition or does not have
accommodations for the safe and proper
movement of livestock.
The regulations in 9 CFR part 93
(referred to below as the regulations)
prohibit or restrict the importation of

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certain animals, including horses, as
well as their means of conveyance,
pursuant to the AHPA. We are
proposing a number of changes to the
horse import regulations to better align
them with international standards and
improve flexibility for both the equine
industry and the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Contagious Equine Metritis
In § 93.301, paragraph (e)(3) contains
the requirements for testing and
treatment of stallions, and paragraph
(e)(5) the testing and treatment
requirements for mares, that are
imported from regions where contagious
equine metritis (CEM) exists after the
stallions or mares have entered
quarantine in an approved State. Both
paragraphs specify the specimens that
must be taken for testing; however,
while paragraph (e)(5) requires that the
samples from mares be collected by an
accredited veterinarian, paragraph (e)(3)
does not require that samples from
stallions be collected by an accredited
veterinarian. To correct this
inconsistency, we are proposing to
amend paragraph (e)(3)(i) to require that
the samples from stallions be collected
by an accredited veterinarian.
Paragraph (e)(3)(i)(B) describes CEM
testing procedures for mares to which
stallions are test bred and includes the
numbers of days after breeding certain
procedures should occur. In order to
facilitate accurate counting and
eliminate confusion about whether the
first day should be considered the day
of breeding or the day after breeding, we
are proposing to add language clarifying
that the day after the date of breeding
should be considered the first day.
Paragraph (e)(4) contains
requirements for mares used to test
stallions for CEM. Currently, the
regulations state that test mares used for
such testing must be marked with the
letter ‘‘T.’’ To allow for greater
flexibility, we are proposing to add the
phrase ‘‘or other permanent
identification approved by APHIS’’ to
this requirement. Importers interested in
using other means of permanent
identification would be able to contact
APHIS Live Animal Imports by email at
[email protected] to seek
approval.
Paragraph (g) contains special
provisions for the importation of horses
that have been temporarily exported to
a region where CEM exists. Currently,

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horses exported from the United States
or another region not known to be CEMaffected are allowed to spend up to 60
days in a CEM-affected region and be reimported into the United States without
having to undergo CEM testing,
provided certain conditions are met.
The conditions include that the horse be
accompanied by a certificate that meets
the requirements in § 93.314(a) of the
regulations issued by each CEM-affected
region that the horse has visited during
the term of its temporary exportation.
The certificate must include additional
declarations stating, among other things,
that the horse was held separate and
apart from all other horses except for the
time it was actually participating in an
event and that the horse was not bred
while in the CEM-affected region. We
are proposing to amend the regulations
to extend the temporary export period to
90 days, while maintaining the same
separation and documentation
requirements.
We are making this change after the
equine industry asked APHIS to
consider increasing the temporary
export period to 90 days to better align
our regulations with typical competition
cycles. Competition horses move
frequently between the United States,
Canada, and CEM-affected regions
within European Union Member States,
and the competition cycle is often more
than 60, but no more than 90, days.
APHIS has concluded that the risk of
horses introducing CEM to the United
States would continue to be minimal if
the temporary export period was
increased to 90 days. The most
significant safeguards against these
horses introducing CEM into the United
States are the attestations required by
the health certificate in the current
regulations, rather than the amount of
time the horses may spend in a CEMaffected region. Horses temporarily
exported to a CEM-affected region must
be accompanied by endorsed health
certificates from the CEM-affected
region(s) attesting that the returning
horses were never used for breeding;
were held separately from other horses
while not in competition or training;
and, have never undergone a genital
examination which could have exposed
these returning horses to CEM. Because
CEM is spread through genital contact,
we consider these attestations to be
effective mitigations against the
introduction of CEM.
We would also make minor editorial
changes to paragraph (g) by adding
clarifying language and changing the
syntax to better explain to which horses
the paragraph applies. We are also
correcting a reference in paragraph (g)(4)
that incorrectly referred to paragraphs

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(a) through (c) but should have instead
pointed to paragraphs (g)(1) through (3).
Paragraph (h) lists conditions that a
State must meet in order to be approved
to receive stallions or mares over 731
days of age from a CEM-affected region.
We are proposing to add a new
paragraph (h)(4) to this list of conditions
that a State must agree to provide
oversight during the test breeding of
quarantined stallions. Oversight is
necessary in order to ensure that this
process is carried out correctly and
completely. This change comes at the
request of numerous States that have
recognized this need but have had
difficulty implementing and enforcing
this requirement because it was not
listed in the regulations. By adding a
new paragraph (h)(4), we would
redesignate current paragraphs (h)(4)
through (7) as paragraphs (h)(5) through
(8), respectively. We are also proposing
to fix broken internet addresses in
newly designated paragraphs (h)(7) and
(8) that link to the lists of States
approved by APHIS to receive such
stallions or mares, as well as correct the
mailing address where these lists may
alternatively be obtained to reflect
current organizational structure.
Import Permits
In § 93.304, paragraph (a) contains
provisions governing imports for which
a permit is required. Currently, only
horses from regions that APHIS
considers to be affected with CEM,
horses intended for quarantine at a
privately owned quarantine facility, and
horse test specimens for diagnostic
screening purposes are required to
submit an application for an import
permit. Because horses transiting
through regions affected with CEM
present risks similar to those presented
by horses imported directly from these
regions, we are proposing to add horses
transiting CEM-affected regions listed in
§ 93.301(c)(1) en route to the United
States to § 93.304(a)(1)(i). Horses
transiting through regions APHIS
considers to be affected with CEM
would be required to apply for an
import permit and fulfil all other
conditions listed in § 93.304(a) that are
currently only required of horses
imported directly from these regions.
Paragraph (a)(1)(i) also currently
states that additional information may
be required during the import permit
application process, which may come
‘‘in the form of certificates concerning
specific diseases to which the horses are
susceptible, as well as vaccinations or
other precautionary treatments to which
the horses or horse test specimens have
been subjected.’’ We are proposing to
add the phrase ‘‘or other attestation

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regarding the health of the animals’’ to
this sentence in order to further clarify
the nature of the information that
APHIS may require. Such additional
attestation may include requiring
certain subsets of horses to provide
certification that the horses have not
been exposed to other pests or diseases
beyond the diseases already addressed
in the health certificate, if necessary.
We are also proposing to clarify that
the provisions of this section apply to
horses intended for quarantine at
Federal quarantine facilities as well, in
order to reflect current practices more
accurately. On October 28, 2020, APHIS
Veterinary Services (VS) issued an
import notice,1 a type of order issued
pursuant to the AHPA, regarding import
permits for horses from CEM-affected
regions. That notice addressed a prior
inconsistency in enforcing the import
permit requirements for certain horses
who enter Federal quarantine facilities
and acknowledged that this
inconsistency caused confusion and
difficulties for both port personnel and
importers. The notice clarified that,
beginning January 1, 2021, all horses
from CEM-affected regions must be
accompanied by an import permit,
regardless of where import quarantine is
completed. This proposed clarification
seeks to codify the import notice and
add this same clarification to the
regulations.
Health Certification
Section 93.314 of the regulations
outlines specific health certification
requirements for horses offered for
importation into the United States. We
are proposing to clarify current health
certification regulations to increase
compliance. This includes requiring
that certifications are prepared and
issued directly from the national
government of the region of origin or
annotated by the national government of
the region of origin to indicate how the
documentation may be verified;
requiring that origin and destination
addresses are listed on the certificate;
and requiring identifying information
regarding the horse or horse test
specimens, importer, and exporter are
listed on the health certificate. These
proposed changes would help APHIS
confirm the legitimacy of the required
documentation, as well as align
information presented on the health
certificate with what is currently
required for other accompanying
documents, such as the declaration of
importation and the import permit.
1 To view the import notice, go to: https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/
equine/import-permits-equine-cem-regions.pdf.

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We are also proposing to require that,
if applicable, health certificates confirm
that the horse has not been castrated
during the 14 days preceding
exportation. Horses that have been so
recently castrated are at an increased
risk of infection and transporting them
during this window risks compromising
both their own health and the health of
other horses. We would also require that
castrated horses be accompanied by a
certificate of castration.
Additionally, we are proposing to
require that horses be accompanied by
documentation stating that a pre-export
examination occurred within 48 hours
of the horse’s export in order to further
ensure that horses imported into the
United States are free of pests and
diseases of livestock and fit to travel at
the time of export.
We are also proposing two minor
edits to align this section with other
sections regarding horses in special
circumstances.
Paragraph (a)(1) requires health
certificates to state that horses have
been in the said region for the 60 days
preceding exportation. In light of the
change proposed to § 93.301(g),
allowing horses to be temporarily
exported to CEM-affected countries for
90 days, we are proposing to add to this
paragraph that, for horses described in
§ 93.301(g), this attestation applies for
the duration of the horses’ temporary
exportation to each CEM-affected
region. This is necessary to ensure that
health certificates for these horses
continue to include accurate
information regarding their whereabouts
for the entire duration of their
temporary exportation.
We would also clarify that paragraph
(a)(7)(i), which requires health
certificates to state that horses have not
been in any region affected with CEM
during the 12 months immediately prior
to export, does not apply to horses
described in § 93.301(f), which are
horses from regions affected with CEM
that are temporarily imported to the
United States for competition or
entertainment purposes. These latter
horses have special provisions outlined
in § 93.301(f), and this change clarifies
§ 93.314 to align with those provisions.
Horses From Canada
Section 93.317 of the regulations
governs the importation of horses from
Canada, while § 93.318 governs special
provisions concerning these
importations. Currently, horses from
Canada temporarily imported into the
United States may enter through any
Canada-U.S. land border port that
allows entry of animals without an
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Canada permanently imported into the
United States must receive an
inspection prior to entry. We are
proposing to amend the regulations to
remove distinctions between temporary
and permanent import by removing the
requirement that horses presented for
permanent importation receive an
inspection prior to entry. Requirements
that currently apply to both temporarily
imported and permanently imported
horses would remain the same; horses
would be allowed to enter the United
States when accompanied by an official,
Canadian Food Inspection Agencyendorsed health certificate issued
within 30 days of the date of entry into
the United States and when there are
negative results of a test for equine
infectious anemia taken within 180 days
of entry.
APHIS considers the health status of
temporarily and permanently imported
horses from Canada to be generally
equivalent. Moreover, the health
certificate, which requires negative tests
for diseases of pests or livestock
affecting horses, already provides
sufficient evidence that the horses
presented for importation are free of
communicable disease. For these
reasons, this change would not increase
the risk of introducing communicable
diseases or pests of livestock into the
United States. Additionally, the
proposed change would align APHIS
import requirements with Canada’s
requirements for import of horses from
the United States, which stipulates that
U.S.-origin horses must meet the same
import requirements regardless of
whether they are imported temporarily
or permanently.
This proposed change would not
impact the special provisions for horses
from Canada imported for immediate
slaughter or for horses from Canada
transported in-bond through the United
States for immediate export, which will
continue to be inspected at the port of
entry.
Horses From Central America and the
West Indies
Section 93.319 contains import permit
requirements for horses imported from
Central America and the West Indies. In
that section currently, only horses
directly imported from Central America
and the West Indies are required to
present an import permit and
declaration upon entry. Likewise, the
requirements concerning health
certificates, quarantine, and testing
listed in § 93.320 currently only apply
to horses directly imported from these
regions as well. Because horses
transiting through these regions present
risks similar to those presented by

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horses imported directly from them, we
are proposing to add horses that transit
Central America or the West Indies en
route to the United States be required to
comply with these requirements upon
entry as well. We would also clarify
existing policy by adding to § 93.319
that all horses imported from or
transiting Central America and the West
Indies are required to have obtained an
import permit in accordance with
§ 93.304; this requirement is currently
implied by the heading of the section,
but not overtly stated in the text.
Shipping Containers
Section 93.302 governs the
inspection, unloading, cleaning, and
disinfection requirements of certain
aircraft and other means of conveyance
and shipping containers. We are
proposing to amend the regulations to
include a paragraph that addresses the
requirements for shipping containers,
including disinfection requirements, as
well as measures to ensure that horses
are transported safely. This will address
the repeated health and safety issues
present for equines during transport and
will provide APHIS with more
regulatory authority to enforce
standards for shipping containers. We
are proposing to present these
requirements as performance standards
in the regulations. Guidance on how to
meet these requirements would be
found in the Live Animal Regulations
(LAR), as amended, published by the
International Air Transport Association
(IATA). If an importer wishes to use
alternative means of meeting the
requirements other than those in the
LAR, they would be able to contact
APHIS Live Animal Imports to ask for
approval by phone at (301) 851–3300,
option 2, or by email at
VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@
usda.gov.
Miscellaneous
Lastly, in various sections, we are
proposing to add language that clarifies
existing policy in order to reduce
confusion and ensure that the
regulations are as clear as possible, as
well as to update outdated information.
Paragraph (d) of § 93.301 governs the
importation of Spanish pure breed
horses from Spain and racing
thoroughbred horses from France,
Germany, Ireland, and the United
Kingdom. Paragraph (d)(1)(ii) stipulates
that such horses must be accompanied
by a health certificate and outlines the
requirements of such health certificates.
We are proposing to require that, for
Spanish pure breed horses, the health
certificate state that the horses have
been in Spain for a minimum of 60 days

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immediately prior to export. For racing
thoroughbreds from France, Germany,
Ireland and/or the United Kingdom, the
health certificate must state that the
horses have been in one or more of these
countries for a minimum of 60 days
immediately prior to export. We are
proposing these changes in response to
confusion about what the phrases ‘‘from
Spain’’ and ‘‘from France, Germany,
Ireland, and the United Kingdom’’ mean
in the context of horses referred to in
this paragraph.
The regulations currently require the
veterinarian issuing such health
certificates to certify that he or she has
examined the records of the horse’s
activities maintained by a breed
association. We are proposing to add the
words ‘‘and identification’’ after the
word ‘‘activities’’ to better describe the
information the veterinarian is required
to examine.
The current regulations require the
veterinarian to compare records kept by
the breed association to records kept by
the horse’s trainer. We are proposing to
add the words ‘‘including the
competition or event records’’ after the
words ‘‘the records kept by the trainer’’
to provide veterinarians with more
detailed guidance on which records
they are required to examine.
For Spanish pure breed horses from
Spain, the veterinarian is currently
required to examine the breed
association’s records to ensure that
breeding of the horse has never been
attempted since the horse reached 731
days of age. To address current and
future breeding technologies and
practices, we are proposing to clarify
that this prohibition on breeding applies
to both live and artificial breeding.
We are also proposing to make a
minor editorial change to this section by
adding the word ‘‘racing’’ in front of the
words ‘‘thoroughbred horses from
France, Germany, Ireland, and the
United Kingdom’’ in the introductory
text to paragraph (d).
Paragraph (j) of § 93.301 describes the
general entry requirements for horses
from regions where screwworm exists.
We are proposing to move these
requirements from § 93.301 to § 93.308,
where other import testing and
examination requirements are listed.
The requirements for importation of
horses from regions where screwworm
exists would be found in § 93.308(a)(3).
We would also replace the phrase
‘‘APHIS animal import center,’’ which is
currently provided as the location of
quarantine, with the more precise
phrase ‘‘port designated in § 93.303.’’
Additionally, we would clarify that
horses imported from regions where
screwworm exists must also obtain an

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import permit in accordance with
§ 93.304.
Section 93.306 governs the inspection
of imported horses at the port of entry.
Currently, the regulations state that all
horses that fail to meet the provisions
part 93 will be refused entry. We would
clarify that this provision applies to
horses dead upon presentation as well.
Section 93.307 stipulates that no
articles accompanying horses during
their importation shall be landed at the
port of entry except as directed by the
inspector in charge of the port of entry.
Currently, the regulations include in the
list of relevant articles ‘‘other things
used for or about horses governed by the
regulations this part.’’ We are proposing
to replace this phrase with the more
specific phrase ‘‘other things used for or
about horses governed under any law or
regulation administered by the Secretary
of Agriculture for prevention of the
introduction or dissemination of any
pests or diseases of livestock.’’
Paragraph (a)(1) of § 93.308 governs
the importation of horses from regions
where Venezuelan equine
encephalomyelitis (VEE) exists.
Currently, paragraph (a)(1)(i) states that
APHIS keeps a list of regions free of
VEE. This is incorrect. Instead, APHIS
keeps a list of regions affected with VEE.
Paragraph (a)(1)(ii) explains the
procedures for adding and removing
regions from this list, and, in doing so,
references the incorrect description of
the nature of this list. We are proposing
to correct these statements.
Additionally, we are proposing to
clarify existing policy by adding that
horses imported from regions where
VEE exists must obtain an import permit
in accordance with § 93.304 in addition
to all other requirements listed. We
would also make minor syntactical
changes to improve readability and
clarity.
Paragraph (b) of § 93.308 describes
temporary, privately owned quarantine
facilities in which some horses may
complete quarantine. In order to
accurately reflect current practices, we
are proposing to clarify that horses
originating from regions in which
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
or screwworm is declared to exist may
not complete quarantine in temporary,
privately-owned quarantine facilities.
Horses from these regions cannot
currently complete quarantine in such
facilities, nor have they been able to in
the past, as the requirements for
temporary quarantine facilities are not
sufficient to safeguard against vectorborne foreign animal diseases (which
include screwworm, Venezuelan equine
encephalomyelitis, and African horse
sickness).

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Current paragraph (a)(5)(i) of § 93.314,
which will be redesignated as paragraph
(a)(7)(i) in this proposed rule, stipulates
that health certificates must state that
the horse has not been in a CEMaffected region during the 12 months
prior to their importation and mentions
that CEM-affected regions are listed in
§ 93.301(c)(1). However, § 93.301(c)(1)
does not list these regions, but instead
states that APHIS maintains such a list
on the APHIS website. We are proposing
to change the phrase ‘‘listed in
§ 93.301(c)(1)’’ to ‘‘listed in accordance
with § 93.301(c)(1) on the APHIS
website’’ to correct this.
Section 93.321 outlines the import
permit and inspection requirements for
horses imported from Mexico. We are
proposing to add a sentence stating that
horses completing quarantine in the
United States must obtain an import
permit as described in § 93.304 in order
to clarify existing policy.
Footnotes in §§ 93.308 and 93.324
refer to disease testing protocol
documents that no longer exist. We are
proposing to replace the information in
these footnotes with references to the
APHIS website, where current guidance
documents outlining the protocol for
testing horses in quarantine is available.
Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory
Flexibility Act
This proposed rule has been
determined to be not significant for the
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and,
therefore, has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, we
have performed an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis, which is
summarized below, regarding the
economic effects of this proposed rule
on small entities. Copies of the full
analysis are available by contacting the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT or on the
Regulations.gov website (see ADDRESSES
above for instructions for accessing
Regulations.gov).
Based on the information we have,
there is no reason to conclude that
adoption of this proposed rule would
result in any significant economic effect
on a substantial number of small
entities. However, we do not currently
have all the data necessary for a
comprehensive analysis of the effects of
this proposed rule on small entities.
Therefore, we are inviting comments on
potential effects. In particular, we are
interested in determining the number
and kind of small entities that may
incur benefits or costs from the
implementation of this proposed rule.
APHIS proposes amending elements
of its equine import regulations.

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First, APHIS proposes amending its
regulations for temporary export of
horses to CEM-affected regions. The
proposed changes will allow horses to
spend up to 90 days in a CEM-affected
region.
The proposed amendments will also
allow APHIS to correct information in
§§ 93.308, 93.314, and 93.319. This
includes updating the website to reflect
current policies and affected regions. It
also includes amending the description
of health certification and permit
requirements.
Finally, APHIS proposes to amend
requirements for import of horses from
Canada by removing distinctions
between temporary and permanent
import.
Executive Order 12988
This proposed rule has been reviewed
under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is
adopted: (1) All State and local laws and
regulations that are in conflict with this
rule will be preempted; (2) no
retroactive effect will be given to this
rule; and (3) administrative proceedings
will not be required before parties may
file suit in court challenging this rule.

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Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with Section 3507(d) of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the information
collection requirements included in this
proposed rule have been submitted to
OMB as a new information collection
for approval.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 60 days of publication of this
document to www.reginfo.gov/public/
do/PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 60-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function. Please send a copy of
your comments to: (1) Docket No.
APHIS–2016–0033, Regulatory Analysis
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238, and (2)
Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, Room
404–W, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. A
comment to OMB is best assured of
having its full effect if OMB receives it
within 30 days of publication of this
proposed rule.
The regulations at 9 CFR 93.301
govern import prohibitions, restrictions,
and requirements for horses, and are
intended to prevent the introduction of
foreign equine diseases into the United
States. APHIS is proposing to amend

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these regulations to clarify and, in some
cases, broaden the protection they
provide.
APHIS will use a variety of
information collection procedures and
forms to gather data in its effort to
prevent the introduction or spread of
disease. In addition to recordkeeping,
information collected includes, but is
not limited to, applications for import or
in-transit permits and declarations of
importation; government-issued health,
castration, and pre-export inspection
certificates; and compliance with
identification requirements. These
documents or actions are used to
properly identify and document the
health and movement of horses into the
United States. Additional information
collections include those associated
with CEM sampling specimen
submissions that are required to track
CEM samples taken to confirm animal
health, and oversight agreements that
are entered into by State governments to
ensure the States comply with Federal
quarantining, testing, and treatment
requirements.
We are soliciting comments from the
public (as well as affected agencies)
concerning our proposed information
collection and recordkeeping
requirements. These comments will
help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper performance of our agency’s
functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the burden of the proposed
information collection, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the
information collection on those who are
to respond (such as through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses).
Estimate of burden: Public burden for
this collection of information is
estimated to average 0.52 hours per
response.
Respondents: Animal importer and
exporters, transport handlers,
veterinarians, owners of private
quarantine facilities, and foreign
government and State animal health
officials.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 343.

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Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 214.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 73,274.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 38,339 hours. (Due to
averaging, the total annual burden hours
may not equal the product of the annual
number of responses multiplied by the
reporting burden per response.)
A copy of the information collection
may be viewed on the Regulations.gov
website or in our reading room. (A link
to Regulations.gov and information on
the location and hours of the reading
room are provided under the heading
ADDRESSES at the beginning of this
proposed rule.) Information about the
information collection process may be
obtained from Mr. Joseph Moxey,
APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction Act
Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483. APHIS
will respond to any information
collection request related comments in
the final rule. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.
E-Government Act Compliance
The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service is committed to
compliance with the E-Government Act
to promote the use of the internet and
other information technologies, to
provide increased opportunities for
citizen access to Government
information and services, and for other
purposes. APHIS estimates that 25
percent of the total responses can be
processed electronically, either by
downloading a fillable PDF file,
emailing a document, or for respondents
with accounts, using APHIS electronic
information systems to process and
submit information. The remainder of
the collection activities in this
information collection cannot be
processed electronically because the
instruments typically must accompany
the animals during transit or are
prepared and issued by foreign entities.
For assistance with E-Government Act
compliance related to this proposed
rule, please contact Mr. Joseph Moxey,
APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction Act
Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483, or the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 93
Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock,
Poultry and poultry products, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, we propose to amend 9
CFR part 93 as follows:

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PART 93—IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN
ANIMALS, BIRDS, FISH, AND
POULTRY, AND CERTAIN ANIMAL,
BIRD, AND POULTRY PRODUCTS;
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEANS OF
CONVEYANCE AND SHIPPING
CONTAINERS
1. The authority citation for part 93
continues to read as follows:

■

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622 and 8301–8317;
21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7
CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.

2. Section 93.301 is amended as
follows:
■ a. By adding a heading to paragraphs
(a) and (b);
■ b. By revising the heading of
paragraph (d);
■ c. By redesignating paragraphs
(d)(1)(ii)(A) through (E) as paragraphs
(d)(1)(ii)(B) through (F), respectively,
and adding a new paragraph
(d)(1)(ii)(A);
■ d. In newly redesignated paragraph
(d)(1)(ii)(C) introductory text, by adding
the words ‘‘and identification’’ after the
word ‘‘activities’’;
■ e. In newly redesignated paragraph
(d)(1)(ii)(C)(4)(iii), by adding the words
‘‘, either live or artificial’’ after the word
‘‘attempted’’;
■ f. In newly redesignated paragraph
(d)(1)(ii)(D), by adding the words ‘‘,
including the competition or event
records,’’ after the word ‘‘trainer’’;
■ g. In newly redesignated paragraph
(d)(1)(ii)(F), by removing ‘‘(d)(1)(ii)(D)’’
and adding ‘‘(d)(1)(ii)(E)’’ in its place’’;
■ h. In paragraph (d)(2), by removing
‘‘(d)(1)(ii)(D)’’ each time it appears and
adding ‘‘(d)(1)(ii)(E)’’ in its place;
■ i. In paragraph (d)(3), by removing the
words ‘‘paragraph (h)(6) or (h)(7)’’ and
adding the words ‘‘paragraph (h)(7) or
(8) in their place;
■ j. In paragraph (e)(2)(i), by removing
‘‘(h)(6)’’ and adding ‘‘(h)(7)’’ in its place,
and by removing ‘‘(h)(7)’’ and adding
‘‘(h)(8)’’ in its place;
■ k. In paragraph (e)(3)(i) introductory
text, by adding the words ‘‘by an
accredited veterinarian’’ after the words
‘‘of the stallion’’;
■ l. In paragraph (e)(3)(i)(B), by adding
the words ‘‘(for the purposes of this
section, the day after the date of
breeding is considered the first day after
breeding)’’ after the words ‘‘fourteenth
day after breeding’’;
■ m. By revising paragraph (e)(4)(i);
■ n. In paragraph (f)(10)(i), by removing
the words ‘‘paragraph (h)(6) or (h)(7)’’
and adding the words ‘‘paragraph (h)(7)
or (8) in their place;
■ o. By revising paragraph (g)
introductory text;

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■

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p. In paragraph (g)(4), by removing the
words ‘‘(a) through (c)’’ and adding the
words ‘‘(g)(1) through (3)’’ in their place.
■ q. By redesignating paragraphs (h)(4)
through (7) as paragraphs (h)(5) through
(8), respectively, and adding a new
paragraph (h)(4);
■ r. By revising newly redesignated
paragraphs (h)(7) and (8); and
■ s. By removing paragraph (j).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
■

§ 93.301

General prohibitions; exceptions.

(a) General prohibitions. * * *
(b) General exceptions. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Spanish Pure Breed horses from
Spain and racing thoroughbred horses
from France, Germany, Ireland, and the
United Kingdom.
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) For Spanish Pure Breed horses,
the horses have been in Spain for a
minimum of 60 days immediately prior
to export; for racing thoroughbreds
residing in France, Germany, Ireland
and/or the United Kingdom, the horses
have been in one or a combination of
these countries for a minimum of 60
days immediately prior to export;
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(4) * * *
(i) Mares to be used to test stallions
for CEM shall be permanently identified
before the mares are used for such
testing with the letter ‘‘T’’ or other
permanent identification approved by
APHIS on a case-by-case basis. The
marking shall be permanently applied
by an inspector, a State inspector, or an
accredited veterinarian who shall use a
hot iron, freezemarking, a lip tattoo, or
other APHIS-approved method. If a hot
iron or freezemarking is used, the
marking shall not be less than 2 inches
(5.08 cm) high and shall be applied to
the left shoulder or left side of the neck
of the mare. If a lip tattoo is used, the
marking shall not be less than 1 inch
(2.54 cm) high and 0.75 inch (1.9 cm)
wide and shall be applied to the inside
surface of the upper lip of the test mare.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) Special provisions for the
importation of horses that have been
temporarily exported to a CEM-affected
region. If a horse originating from the
United States has been temporarily
exported for not more than 90 days to
a CEM-affected region listed under
paragraph (c)(1) of this section and
returns to the United States during that
time, or if a horse originating from a
non-CEM affected region has been
temporarily exported for not more than

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90 days to a CEM-affected region during
the 12 months preceding its proposed
importation to the United States, the
horse may be eligible for return, or for
importation into the United States,
without meeting the requirements of
paragraphs (d) through (f) of this
section, under the following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
(h) * * *
(4) The State must agree to provide
oversight during the test breeding of
quarantined stallions.
*
*
*
*
*
(7) A list of States approved by APHIS
to receive stallions over 731 days of age
imported under paragraph (e) of this
section is maintained on the APHIS
website at [ADDRESS TO BE ADDED IN
FINAL RULE]. Copies of the list will
also be available via postal mail, fax, or
email upon request to the
Regionalization Evaluation Services,
Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, 4700 River
Road, Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737.
(8) A list of States approved by APHIS
to receive mares over 731 days of age
imported under paragraph (e) of this
section is maintained on the APHIS
website at [ADDRESS TO BE ADDED IN
FINAL RULE]. Copies of the list will
also be available via postal mail, fax, or
email upon request to Live Animal
Imports, Veterinary Services, Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service,
4700 River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale,
MD 20737.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Section 93.302 is amended as
follows:
■ a. By redesignating paragraphs (a)
through (d) as paragraphs (b) through
(e), respectively, and adding a new
paragraph (a); and
■ b. By adding a heading to newly
redesignated paragraph (e).
The additions read as follows:
§ 93.302 Inspection of certain aircraft and
other means of conveyance and shipping
containers thereon; unloading, cleaning,
and disinfection requirements.

(a) Shipping container requirements:
Shipping containers used to transport
live equine(s) to the United States must
meet the following requirements:
(1) Containers must be new or cleaned
and disinfected in a manner that
sufficiently reduces the risk of
introduction or dissemination of any
pests or diseases of livestock into the
United States.
(2) Containers must be of sufficient
size and construction to reasonably
assure that live equine(s) are transported
safely.
(3) Stocking density of live equine(s)
must not be to an extent that impinges

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on the animals’ safety during
transportation.
(4) Guidance on how to meet these
requirements may be found in the Live
Animal Regulations (LAR), as amended,
published by the International Air
Transport Association (IATA). The
Administrator may also approve
alternative guidance than that described
in the LAR.
*
*
*
*
*
(e) Shipping container: * * *
§ 93.304

[Amended]

5. In § 93.304, paragraph (a)(1)(i) is
amended, in the first sentence, by
adding the words ‘‘or transiting’’ after
the words ‘‘For horses from’’, adding the
words ‘‘Federal quarantine or’’ after the
words ‘‘quarantine at a’’, and removing
the words ‘‘except as otherwise
provided for in §§ 93.315, 93.319, and
93.321,’’, and in the next to last
sentence, by adding the words ‘‘, or
other attestation regarding the health of
the animals’’ after the word ‘‘subjected’’.

■

§ 93.306

[Amended]

5. Section 93.306 is amended by
adding the words ‘‘, to include horses
dead upon presentation,’’ after the
words ‘‘all other horses’’ in the second
sentence.
■ 6. Section 93.307 is revised to read as
follows:
■

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§ 93.307

Articles accompanying horses.

No litter or manure, fodder or other
aliment, nor any equipment such as
boxes, buckets, ropes, chains, blankets,
or other things used for or about horses
governed under any law or regulation
administered by the Secretary of
Agriculture for prevention of the
introduction or dissemination of any
pests or diseases of livestock, shall be
landed from any conveyance except
under such restrictions as the inspector
in charge at the port of entry shall
direct.
■ v7. Section 93.308 is amended as
follows:
■ a. By revising paragraph (a)(1);
■ b. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(3)
and (4) as paragraphs (a)(4) and (5),
respectively, and adding a new
paragraph (a)(3);
■ c. By revising footnote 11;
■ d. In paragraph (b) introductory text,
by adding the words ‘‘, except horses
originating from regions in which
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
or screwworm is declared to exist,’’ after
‘‘§ 93.303(e)’’; and
■ e. In paragraph (c)(4)(v)(B), by
removing ‘‘(a)(4)’’ and adding ‘‘(a)(5)’’ in
its place.
The revisions and addition read as
follows:

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§ 93.308

Quarantine requirements.

(a) * * *
(1) Except as provided in §§ 93.317
(horses from Canada) and 93.324 (horses
from Mexico), horses intended for
importation from regions that APHIS
considers to be affected with
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
shall be quarantined at a port designated
in § 93.303 to be evaluated for signs of
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis.
Each horse must be accompanied at the
time of importation by an import permit
in accordance with § 93.304.
(i) A list of regions that APHIS
considers affected with Venezuelan
equine encephalomyelitis is maintained
on the APHIS website at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/
animalhealth/animal-and-animalproduct-import-information/animalhealth-status-of-regions. Copies of the
list can be obtained via postal mail or
email upon request to Regionalization
Evaluation Services, Strategy and
Policy, Veterinary Services, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, 4700
River Road, Unit 38, Riverdale,
Maryland 20737; AskRegionalization@
usda.gov.
(ii) APHIS will add a region to the list
upon determining that the disease exists
in the region based on reports APHIS
receives of outbreaks of the disease from
veterinary officials of the exporting
country, from the World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE), or from other
sources the Administrator determines to
be reliable. APHIS will remove a region
from the list after conducting an
evaluation of the region in accordance
with § 92.2 of this subchapter and
finding that the disease is not present in
the region. In the case of a region
formerly not on this list that is added
due to an outbreak, the region may be
removed from the list in accordance
with the procedures for reestablishment
of a region’s disease-free status in § 92.4
of this subchapter.
*
*
*
*
*
(3) Horses from regions where APHIS
considers screwworm to exist may be
imported into the United States only if
they meet the requirements in
paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (vii) of this
section, obtain an import permit in
accordance with § 93.304, and meet all
other applicable requirements of this
part. A list of regions where screwworm
is considered to exist is maintained on
the APHIS website at https://
www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/
disease-status-of-regions. Copies of the
list will also be available via postal
mail, fax, or email upon request to the
Regionalization Evaluation Services,
Strategy and Policy, Veterinary Services,

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67667

Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, 4700 River Road, Unit 38,
Riverdale, MD 20737;
[email protected]. APHIS
will add a region to the list upon
determining that screwworm exists in
the region based on reports APHIS
receives of detections of the pest from
veterinary officials of the exporting
country, from the World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE), or from other
sources the Administrator determines to
be reliable. APHIS will remove a region
from the list after conducting an
evaluation of the region in accordance
with § 92.2 of this subchapter and
finding that screwworm is not present
in the region. In the case of a region
formerly not on this list that is added
due to a detection, the region may be
removed from the list in accordance
with the procedures for reestablishment
of a region’s disease-free status in § 92.4
of this subchapter.
(i) A veterinarian must treat horses
with ivermectin 3 to 5 days prior to the
date of export to the United States
according to the recommended dose
prescribed on the product’s label.
(ii) Horses must be examined for
screwworm by a full-time salaried
veterinary official of the exporting
country within 24 hours prior to
shipment to the United States. The
official must fully examine the horses,
including their external genitalia. If
horses are found to be infested with
screwworm, they must be treated until
free from infestation.
(iii) At the time horses are loaded
onto a means of conveyance for export,
a veterinarian must treat any visible
wounds on the animals with a solution
of coumaphos dust at a concentration of
5 percent active ingredient.
(iv) Horses must be accompanied to
the United States by a certificate signed
by a full-time salaried veterinary official
of the exporting country. The certificate
must state that the horses, including
their external genitalia, have been
thoroughly examined and found free of
screwworm and that the horses have
been treated in accordance with
paragraphs (a)(3)(i) and (iii) of this
section.
(v) Horses must be quarantined upon
arrival in the United States at a port
designated in § 93.303 for at least 7
days.
(vi) Horses must be examined for
screwworm by a veterinarian within 24
hours after arrival at a port designated
in § 93.303. The examining veterinarian
must examine horses, including their
external genitalia, to determine whether
the horse is infested with screwworm.
(vii) Horses must be held at the
animal import center for a minimum of

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7 days. On day 7, prior to the horses’
release, the horses must be examined by
a veterinarian at the expense of the
owner or broker. For this examination,
male horses must be tranquilized or
sedated so that the external genitalia of
the horses can be thoroughly examined.
If screwworm is found during this
examination, the horses must be held in
quarantine and treated until free of
infestation.
*
*
*
*
*
11 Protocols for testing equines in import
quarantine are available on the APHIS
website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
aphis/ourfocus/importexport/animal-importand-export/equine/guidelines-docs-relatedto-importing-equine.

8. Section 93.314 is amended as
follows:
■ a. By revising paragraphs (a)
introductory text and (a)(1);
■ b. By redesignating paragraphs (a)(4)
and (5) as paragraphs (a)(6) and (7),
respectively, and adding new
paragraphs (a)(4) and (5);
■ c. By revising newly redesignated
paragraph (a)(7)(i); and
■ d. By adding paragraph (d).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
■

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§ 93.314 Horses, certification, and
accompanying equipment.

(a) Horses offered for importation
from any part of the world shall be
accompanied by an original certificate
endorsed by a salaried veterinary officer
of the national government of the region
of origin, or if exported from Mexico,
shall be accompanied either by such a
certificate or by a certificate issued by
a veterinarian accredited by the
National Government of Mexico and
endorsed by a full-time salaried
veterinary officer of the National
Government of Mexico, thereby
representing that the veterinarian
issuing the certificate was authorized to
do so. The certificate shall specify the
name and address of the importer; the
species, breed, number or quantity of
horses or horse test specimens to be
imported; the purpose of the
importation; individual horse
identification which requires a
description of the horse, name, age,
markings and, when present,
registration number, tattoo, microchip,
eartag, brand, if any; the region and
premises of origin; the name and
address of the exporter; and the
destination address for release into the
United States; and shows that:
(1) The horses described in the
certificate have been in said region
during the 60 days preceding
exportation, or, for horses described in
§ 93.301(g), for the duration of their

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temporary exportation to each CEMaffected region;
*
*
*
*
*
(4) The horse, if applicable, has not
been gelded during the 14 days
preceding exportation. If gelded, the
horse is accompanied by certificate of
castration including date of completion
and removal of both testicles;
(5) The horse will be accompanied by
documentation of pre-export
examination occurring within 48 hours
of export endorsed by a salaried
veterinary medical officer;
*
*
*
*
*
(7) * * *
(i) The horses, except horses
described in § 93.301(f), have not been
in any region listed in accordance with
§ 93.301(c)(1) on the APHIS website as
affected with CEM during the 12 months
immediately prior to their importation
into the United States;
*
*
*
*
*
(d) For purposes of this section, the
term ‘‘original’’ means documentation is
prepared and issued directly from the
national government of the region of
origin or annotated by the national
government of the region of origin to
indicate how the documentation may be
verified. Any declaration, permit, or
other required document for horses may
be issued and presented using a United
States Government electronic
information exchange system or other
method authorized by APHIS.
■ 9. Section 93.317 is amended as
follows:
■ a. By revising paragraph (a);
■ b. In paragraph (b), by removing the
words ‘‘, without USDA veterinary port
inspection,’’ after the words ‘‘30-dayperiod’’; and
■ c. By redesignating paragraph (c) as
paragraph (d) and adding a new
paragraph (c).
The revision and addition read as
follows:
§ 93.317

Horses from Canada.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph
(d) of this section, horses from Canada
shall be accompanied by a certificate as
required by § 93.314, which shall
include evidence of a negative test for
equine infectious anemia for which
blood samples were drawn during the
180 days preceding exportation to the
United States and which test was
conducted in a laboratory approved by
the Canada Department of Agriculture
or the United States Department of
Agriculture. Horses accompanying their
dams, which were foaled after their dam
was so tested negative, need not be so
tested and shall otherwise be handled as
provided in § 93.314. Certificates

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required for horses from Canada must be
issued and endorsed by a salaried
veterinarian of the Canadian
Government.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Any horse imported into the
United States from Canada through air
or ocean ports of entry must obtain an
import permit under § 93.304 and shall
otherwise be handled as provided in
§§ 93.305 and 93.314.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 93.318

[Amended]

10. In § 93.318, paragraph (b) is
amended by removing the words ‘‘:
And, provided further, That all horses
offered for re-entry upon examination
by the veterinary inspector at the U.S.
port of entry, are found by the inspector
to be free of pests or diseases of
livestock and exposure thereto and are
determined to be the identical horses
covered by said certificates or are the
natural increase of such horses born
after official test dates certified on the
dam’s health certificate’’ after the words
‘‘offered for return to the United States’’.
■ 11. Section 93.319 is revised to read
as follows:
■

§ 93.319
horses.

Import permit and declaration for

For all horses offered for importation
from or transiting through regions of
Central America or of the West Indies,
the importer or his or her agent shall
have obtained an import permit under
§ 93.304 and shall present two copies of
a declaration as provided in § 93.305.
§ 93.320

[Amended]

12. Section 93.320 is amended by
adding the words ‘‘or transiting
through’’ after the word ‘‘from’’.
■ 13. Section 93.321 is amended by
adding a sentence after the last sentence
to read as follows:
■

§ 93.321 Import permits and applications
for inspection for horses.

* * * Horses quarantined at a U.S.
facility designated in § 93.303 must
obtain an import permit under § 93.304.
■ 14. Section 93.324 is amended by
revising footnote 19 to read as follows:
§ 93.324

*

*

Detention for quarantine.

*

19 Protocols

*

*

for testing equines in import
quarantine are available on the APHIS
website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
aphis/ourfocus/importexport/animal-importand-export/equine/guidelines-docs-relatedto-importing-equine.

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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 226 / Monday, November 29, 2021 / Proposed Rules
Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of
November 2021.
Jack Shere,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–25613 Filed 11–26–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P

NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
10 CFR Part 50
[NRC–2020–0036]
RIN 3150–AK71

Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Public meeting.
AGENCY:

khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

[Docket No. FAA–2021–1016; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00625–E]

Jkt 256001

On August 12, 2021, the NRC
published a document in the Federal
Register informing the public that it will
consider in the rulemaking process the
issues raised in a petition for
rulemaking regarding reporting
requirements for nonemergency events
at nuclear power plants (86 FR 44290).
The NRC is in the early stages of
developing a regulatory basis document
that will analyze the regulatory issues,
alternatives to resolve those issues, and
the NRC staff’s recommended
alternative. The NRC will consider the
information shared at the meeting in the
development of the regulatory basis
document.
II. Public Meeting
The public meeting will be held on
December 9, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to
4:00 p.m. (ET). Interested stakeholders
may attend via telephone or online
seminar. The purpose of the meeting is
to provide background and status
information on this rulemaking activity
and to obtain stakeholder input to
enhance the NRC’s understanding of the
associated issues. The NRC will not
provide formal written responses to the
oral comments made at this meeting.
Information for the teleconference and
online seminar is available in the
meeting notice, which can be accessed
through the NRC’s public website at:
https://www.nrc.gov/pmns/mtg or in
ADAMS under Accession Number
ML21323A177.
If you would like to make a
presentation during this meeting, please
call or email the meeting contact prior
to the meeting.
Dated: November 23, 2021.

PO 00000

Frm 00009

Fmt 4702

Sfmt 4702

[FR Doc. 2021–25928 Filed 11–26–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:

I. Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) plans to hold a
public meeting to discuss a rulemaking
activity related to reporting
requirements for nonemergency events
at nuclear power plants. The purpose of
the meeting is to provide background
and status information on the
rulemaking and to obtain stakeholder
input to enhance the NRC’s
understanding of the associated issues.
DATES: The public meeting will be held
on December 9, 2021. See Section II,
Public Meeting, of this document for
more information on the meeting.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
NRC–2020–0036 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of
information regarding this public
meeting. You may obtain publicly
available information related to this
action by any of the following methods:
• Federal Rulemaking website: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for Docket ID NRC–2020–0036. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Dawn
Forder; telephone: 301–415–3407;
email: [email protected]. For
technical questions contact the
individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
document.
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly
available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
adams.html. To begin the search, select
‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For
problems with ADAMS, please contact
the NRC’s Public Document Room
reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, at

15:59 Nov 26, 2021

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John R. Tappert,
Director, Division of Rulemaking,
Environmental, and Financial Support, Office
of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

SUMMARY:

VerDate Sep<11>2014

301–415–4737, or by email to
[email protected].
• NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
purchase copies of public documents,
by appointment, at the NRC’s Public
Document Room (PDR), Room P1 B35,
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. To
make an appointment to visit the PDR,
please send an email to PDR.Resource@
nrc.gov or call 1–800–397–4209 or 301–
415–4737, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
George Tartal, Office of Nuclear Material
Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–
0016, email: [email protected].

Reporting Requirements for
Nonemergency Events at Nuclear
Power Plants

67669

The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
General Electric Company (GE) Passport
20–17BB1A, Passport 20–18BB1A, and
Passport 20–19BB1A model turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of a manufacturing
quality escape that requires a reduction
to the life limit of certain high-pressure
turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disks. This
proposed AD would require revising the
Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS)
of the GE Passport 20 Line Maintenance
Manual and the operator’s existing
approved continuous airworthiness
maintenance program (CAMP) to
incorporate a reduced life limit for
certain HPT rotor stage 1 disks. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by January 13,
2022.
SUMMARY:

You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact General Electric

ADDRESSES:

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