| USDA RELAXES BAN ON INTERSTATE TRANSPORT OF LEOPARD, SULCATA AND BELL'S HINGEBACK TORTOISES |
7/20/2000 (USDA Press Release): WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Agriculture has lifted a prohibition on the interstate movement of certain land tortoises.
USDA will now allow the interstate movement of the leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), the African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), and Bell's hingeback tortoise (Kinixys belliana) if they are accompanied by a health certificate signed by a federal or accredited veterinarian stating that the tortoises have been examined by that veterinarian and found free of ticks.
"This action will enable owners and breeders to seek buyers, adopters, and health care for these tortoises throughout the United States," said Alfonso Torres, deputy administrator for veterinary services with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "The health certification ensures that the interstate movement of these tortoises won't result in the spread of exotic ticks."
Each health certificate will cost $16 to $25 and help guarantee the acceptability of these animals in international markets. The goal of the certification, however, is to prevent the spread of exotic ticks known to be vectors of heartwater disease.
Heartwater disease is an acute, infectious disease of ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats, white-tailed deer, and antelope. This disease has a 60 percent or greater mortality rate in livestock and a 90 percent or greater mortality rate in white-tailed deer.
The prohibition on the importation of these tortoises remains in place.
For more information, contact David Wilson, senior staff entomologist, emergency programs, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 41, Riverdale, Md. 20737, (301) 734-8073.
Notice of this action is scheduled to appear in the July 21 Federal Register and became effective July 17. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Sept. 19. Please send an original and three copies to Docket No. 00-016-2, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238.
Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
USDA Contacts are:
Jim Rogers Jim Rogers
Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
[Federal Register: July 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 141)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45275-45277]
PART 74--PROHIBITION OF INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF LAND TORTOISES
Sec. 74.1 General prohibition.
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 111-113, 114a, 115, 117, 120, 122-126, 134b, 134f; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).
Sec. 74.1 General prohibition.
The interstate movement of leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), and Bell's hingeback tortoise (Kinixys belliana) is prohibited except when tortoises are accompanied by a health certificate signed by a Federal or accredited veterinarian stating that the tortoises have been examined by that veterinarian and found free of ticks.
Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of July 2000.
Craig A. Reed, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18566 Filed 7-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U
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