Proposal to Amend Minimal Risk Region Rule Withdrawn

July 28, 2006 - On July 6, 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took a preliminary step in the rule-making process to amend its bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) minimal risk region importation policy, submitting the rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The amended policy would have allowed for the importation of cattle over 30 months of age as well as beef and beef products from cattle over 30 months of age from Canada. While this proposed amendment had not yet been published in the Federal Register, its submission to OMB was the first necessary step in the rule-making process.

As of this morning, USDA has withdrawn the proposal from OMB to allow for consideration of the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency into Canada's latest case of BSE.

To access OMB's official site, visit http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoPackageMain.
Staff contact: Paul Rodgers, 303-771-3500

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