99-8987. Cancellation of Requirement for Certification of Used Tire Casings from Asia Prior to Entry into the United States

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 69 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17671-17672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8987]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Cancellation of Requirement for Certification of Used Tire 
Casings from Asia Prior to Entry into the United States

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of cancellation of requirement for certification of used 
tire casings from Asia prior to entry into the United States.

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SUMMARY: Since January 1, 1988, CDC has required that all used tire 
casings imported from Asia must be certified as dry, clean, and free of 
insects, to prevent further importation of the Asian mosquito Aedes 
albopictus. Despite these efforts, the species is now widely 
established in 28 states. Because the certification requirements have 
not proved to be effective, CDC is proposing to rescind them, following 
a thirty (30)-day period for public comment.

DATES: Written Comments must be received on or before May 12, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James E. Barrow [phone]; E-
mail [e-mail]), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 
Clifton Rd., NE, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of 
Quarantine, Mail Stop E-03, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Investigations conducted by CDC in 1986 established that Aedes 
albopictus and other mosquito species were being imported into the 
United States from Asia in used tire casings. Since these mosquitoes 
have the potential to transmit certain viral diseases to humans, such 
as dengue and other arboviruses including several that are native to 
the Americas, their presence was considered a potential public health 
threat. As of October 1, 1987, 15 states were known to be infested with 
Aedes albopictus. Interstate trade in used tires was believed to be a 
major factor in disseminating the species within the United States. 
Consequently, effective January 1, 1988, under the authority of section 
361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 CFR 
71.32(c), CDC imposed a requirement that all used tire casings 
originating from Asia must be certified as being dry, clean, and 
disinsected. Specific measures for disinsection and certification were 
defined in a Federal Register notice dated November 20, 1987 (52 FR 
44836). In order to monitor compliance with the requirements, the CDC 
Division of Quarantine conducted an energetic program of random 
inspections, which showed large-scale noncompliance, even though 
penalties were imposed.
    Despite these enforcement efforts, Aedes albopictus has spread to 
28 states, the approximate geographic limits of its potential 
distribution in the United States. A recent CDC study concluded that 
further colonization within those limits is inevitable. The study, 
published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 
in March 1998 (14:83-94), found that, because of the vast size and 
distribution of the existing population, the number of mosquitoes that 
could be introduced from overseas is insignificant. Because of its 
exploitation of natural and artificial habitats, Aedes albopictus is 
extremely difficult to control and should be considered a permanently 
established species in the United States. In addition, although it is 
capable of transmitting numerous viruses, there is to date no evidence 
of any transmission to humans in the United States. The

[[Page 17672]]

effect of the present requirement is therefore negligible, and the cost 
of the requirement, both to industry and government, can no longer be 
justified.
    Accordingly, CDC is seeking public comment on its proposal to 
rescind the requirement for certification of used tire casings from 
Asia prior to entry into the United States. Comments are sought for 
thirty (30) days, after which CDC will publish in the Federal Register 
a notice and effective date of action.

    Dated: April 6, 1999.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director of Management and Operation, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-8987 Filed 4-9-99; 8:45 am]
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