If you read our bulletin last week about a ban on the import of unfinished ruminant trophies from countries having mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or BSE), be aware that the agency responsible for this restriction, has relaxed it considerably. Ruminants are even-toed, hoofed animals such as sheep, goats, caribou and deer. Many European countries, among other nations, are classified as having BSE. Canada is classified as a BSE minimal risk region and is not, under the revised regulations, subject to the above mentioned ban.

The prospect of a ban on un-mounted ruminants from BSE countries was a source of great alarm for ibex hunters headed to Spain, among others. It also posed a grave risk to the American taxidermy industry.

What APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), the agency that deals with disease-related import bans, has done is restrict the ban to what it defines as "commercial" imports of ruminant trophies. Its definition of "commercial" is more than two ruminant trophies in a single shipment. Thus, a hunter who tries to import two ibex trophies, two chamois trophies and a roe deer trophy from a BSE-infected country in a single shipment will not be able to do so. That is precisely what one Hunting Report subscriber tried to do last month, and APHIS ordered his shipment returned to Spain.

Clearly, the revised APHIS policy makes no sense, as two ruminant trophies in a single shipment are as dangerous (or harmless) to the US as three or more. We are at a loss to explain the policy, but hasten to point out that the regulations have the force of law behind them. Do not attempt to import more than two ruminant trophies of any kind in a single shipment from a country infected with BSE. Generally, most countries in Europe are classified as having BSE. Your customs broker or outfitter should be able to tell you if the country you plan to visit is BSE-affected.

Where can we see or get a reference for this?

http://www.huntingreport.com/

Redhawk,
If you are a traveling hunter, regardless if stateside or international, I highly recommend subscribing to The Hunting Report. Makes a great reference and research tool, especially the "email extra" option. It is so much more than just a tool for planning hunts, reports on USFWS proposals, state issues and conservation worldwide.