USDA Proposes Changes to Import Requirements for Horses from Countries Affected with Contagious Equine Metritis

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to amend its regulations so that noncompetitive entertainment horses from countries affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM) can be temporarily imported into the United States under certain conditions.

The regulations currently provide for the temporary importation of horses from countries affected with CEM to compete in specified events. The proposed changes would allow horses to be temporarily imported, in some cases for more than 90 days, solely for public exhibition and entertainment purposes while continuing to protect against the introduction of CEM in the United States. A risk assessment conducted by APHIS concluded that with the application of restrictions described in the proposed rule, the risk posed by allowing the extended importation of noncompetitive entertainment horses from CEM-affected countries is extremely low.

APHIS is proposing two primary safeguards to prevent the transmission of CEM while the horses are in the United States. First, an APHIS specialist would monitor the horses whenever they are not in transit and second, APHIS would require stringent measures to ensure that the horses are kept apart from other horses, except when performing, being exhibited or exercising.

Because CEM is a venereal disease, transmitted only through sexual contact, there is virtually no risk that a horse will transmit the disease through casual contact with other horses during a performance or exercise. APHIS also would require submission of additional information, such as detailed identifying information, for all related import permits.

Although CEM does not cause mortality, it can be a costly disease to control. The direct consequences can include the closing of breeding operations and production losses. A CEM outbreak would result in the quarantine of affected horse farms, temporary cessation of breeding operations and restrictions on both intrastate and interstate movement.

The USDA will consideration comments on the proposal up to October 1.