The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has regulatory authority over both the import and export of livestock products.  In the import context, APHIS works to ensure that products entering the U.S. meet the Agency’s entry requirements to exclude pests and diseases.

In July 2014, USDA published a proposed rule (79 FR 43974) that would have recognized Mexico as a low-risk classical swine fever (CSF) region. Since the rule was published, the World Organization for Animal Health recognized Mexico as CSF-free.  As a result, Mexico’s government requested that APHIS suspend its rulemaking and instead continue evaluating Mexico’s CSF status.  APHIS reopened its evaluation and conducted a site visit in 2015. Based on the 2015 site visit report, along with updated surveillance data and additional information submitted by Mexico’s government, APHIS determined that current conditions support CSF-free recognition for all of Mexico.

On August 8, 2017, APHIS published a Notice (82 FR 37043) which proposes to recognize Mexico as free of classical swine fever (CSF).  In announcing the publication of this Notice, APHIS also noted that it will withdraw the 2014 proposed rule that would have recognized Mexico as a low-risk CSF region. Recognizing Mexico as CSF-free could potentially create new opportunities for Mexican pork products in the U.S. market.

APHIS will be accepting comments on the Notice for 60 days (or until October 10, 2017) prior to making a final determination on Mexico’s CSF status which will ultimately be published in the Federal Register.