990607 USDA Proposes to Allow Poultry From Mexico States

Washington - The Agriculture Department said that it is proposing to allow imports of poultry meat and other poultry products from two Mexican states under new, less restrictive conditions.

U.S. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Richard Rominger made the announcement at the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission meeting in Mexico City, the department said.

The decision applies only to the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Sonora. The department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined both states are free of exotic Newcastle disease, a highly contagious poultry disease.

Shipments from Sinaloa and Sonora would still be subject to certain conditions, such as documentation signed by an authorized Mexican official to ensure that the poultry did not come from some other state or come in contact with poultry that has exotic Newcastle disease, the department said.

Parties have until July 20 to comment on the proposed change.

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