The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced April 17 that it is proposing to exempt horses from Iceland from testing for dourine, glanders, equine piroplasmosis, and equine infectious anemia during the quarantine period following importation. The USDA reports the action is warranted because Iceland has never had a reported case of dourine, glanders, equine piroplasmosis, or equine infectious anemia, and it appears that horses imported from Iceland would pose a negligible risk of introducing those diseases into the United States.

This proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the April 18 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before June 18. Please send an original and three copies to Docket No. 00-010-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3CO3, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. Comments received may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on 202/690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room