WASHINGTON - All used farm equipment, including tractors, mowers and harvesters, imported into the United States from foot-and-mouth disease infected countries must be steam-cleaned before arriving at U.S. ports of entry, the Agriculture Department said yesterday.
With a new outbreak in South Korea and Europe still recovering from its own last year, USDA said used farm equipment from infected areas must be washed and certified at the exporter's country before being shipped to the United States. In the past, USDA required the equipment be cleaned at U.S. ports of entry. The department said many U.S. ports do not have the facilities to thoroughly wash large farm machinery and dispose of waste securely.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious livestock disease that can spread easily by shoes, farm equipment and even the wind. The United States has been free of the virus since 1929.
The disease can kill cloven-hoofed animals such as pigs and cows but is harmless to humans.
USDA said the rule excludes automobiles and trucks.
The interim rule is effective retroactively to March 31, 2001. The public comment period ends July 12.:
