The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) re-published an updated proposal on December 13, 2006, that would permit the establishment and operation of permanent, privately-owned quarantine facilities under certain conditions.

The horse industry is an international industry and increasingly more foreign horses are being brought into the U.S. for racing, showing, sale and breeding and often there are not enough quarantine spaces to accommodate them all.

“There are presently three facilities through which horses may be brought into the U.S. permanently,” notes Kerry Thompson, the American Horse Council’s Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs. “The need for additional quarantine space has increased dramatically and more facilities are needed to handle the additional commerce. Once rules are adopted, private industry can step in under USDA requirements and fill that gap.”

The American Horse Council and other equine groups have been calling for the USDA to re-publish the rule proposal that was originally proposed over four years ago to respond to the need for more import facilities through privately-operated stations.

USDA has asked for public comment on the specifics of the proposed rule. To get a copy of the proposed rules, please contact Kerry Thompson at the American Horse Council at (202) 296-4031, ext. 210, or [email protected].

Comments are due on or before February 12, 2007. The American Horse council will be submitting comments. Anyone may submit comments directly to the USDA. There are several avenues you can use, including an online Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov,all of which can be found within the published proposal.


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