The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the regulations pertaining to the importation of horses to establish standards for the approval of permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses. APHIS is taking this action because regional and seasonal demand for quarantine services for horses often exceeds the space available at existing facilities. Allowing imported horses to be quarantined in permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities that meet the criteria established in this rule will facilitate the importation of horses, while continuing to protect against the introduction of communicable diseases of horses.  

This final rule was scheduled for publication in the July 2 Federal Register and becomes effective Aug. 3.