The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on June 29, 2026, its intention to seek a revision and extension of approval for an information collection related to the importation of swine hides, bird trophies, and deer hides. This move, documented in the Federal Register, opens a public comment period until August 28, 2026, signaling APHIS's ongoing commitment to safeguarding U.S. livestock from foreign animal diseases while adapting its administrative procedures.
The Mandate to Protect Animal Health
APHIS's authority to regulate the importation and interstate movement of animals and animal products stems from the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.). This foundational legislation empowers the agency to prohibit or restrict such movements to prevent the introduction and spread of livestock diseases and pests within the United States. To fulfill this critical mission, APHIS has established regulations outlined in 9 CFR parts 91 through 99. Specifically, parts 94 and 95 contain provisions that restrict or prohibit the entry of certain animal products to prevent contagious animal diseases from entering the U.S. livestock population.
Existing Regulatory Framework for Imports
The regulations under 9 CFR sections 95.16 and 95.17 mandate specific processing and certification requirements for untanned hides and skins, as well as bird trophies. These requirements are vital in ensuring that imported products do not harbor diseases or pests that could harm domestic animals. For instance, shipments of hides must be accompanied by certificates that verify their origin and confirm they originate from areas free of specified animal diseases. An additional layer of protection exists for ruminant hides imported from Mexico, which must include written statements confirming they were frozen for 24 hours and treated for ticks.
Similarly, bird trophies require certificates of origin to attest that they come from regions free of exotic Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza. These rigorous measures are designed to minimize the risk of disease transmission through these imported items, thereby protecting agricultural industries and public health.
Proposed Revisions and Streamlining Efforts
APHIS is requesting that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the use of these information collection activities for an additional three years. This request is not merely an extension; it includes significant revisions aimed at streamlining the process. Notably, APHIS has amended this information collection by decreasing the estimated number of respondents, responses, and total burden hours reported. This reduction suggests an effort by the agency to enhance efficiency and reduce the administrative load on affected parties without compromising biosecurity standards.
A key aspect of this revision involves the strategic relocation of two specific forms: VS Form 16-28, which pertains to approved warehouse requests and agreements for handling restricted animal byproducts such as hunting trophies and museum specimens; and VS Form 16-29, an agreement for handling restricted imports of animal byproducts and controlled materials. These forms have been moved to information collection 0579-0015, titled 'Restricted, Prohibited, and Controlled Importation of Animal and Poultry Products and Byproducts into the United States.' This consolidation aims to centralize all byproduct collection activities under a single information collection package, potentially simplifying the regulatory landscape for importers and regulatory agencies alike.
Opportunity for Public Input
The current notice serves as a formal solicitation for public comments from interested individuals and affected agencies. APHIS encourages feedback on several critical aspects of the information collection: (1) whether the collection is necessary for the agency's proper functioning and possesses practical utility; (2) the accuracy of APHIS's estimate of the public burden, including the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) methods to minimize the burden on respondents, such as through the use of automated or electronic submission technologies.
The public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average approximately 0.250 hours per response. APHIS estimates there are 158 respondents, with an estimated 7 responses per respondent, leading to an estimated annual total of 1,059 responses and 265 total annual burden hours on respondents. All comments received will be summarized and included in the final request for OMB approval, becoming part of the public record.
Implications and Way Forward
This administrative action by APHIS underscores the continuous effort within federal agencies to balance stringent regulatory oversight with the practicalities of implementation. By seeking public input, APHIS is engaging stakeholders in the process of refining its information collection methods, aiming for greater efficiency while upholding its core mission of animal disease prevention. The proposed revisions, particularly the reduction in estimated burden hours and the consolidation of forms, suggest a responsiveness to concerns about regulatory load. The outcome of this comment period will likely shape how APHIS manages the import of these specific animal products in the coming years, influencing compliance requirements for importers and contributing to the broader framework of national biosecurity.
