Are there any laws restricting the importation of horses into the United States?
Yes, there are laws restricting the importation of horses into the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for regulating the importation of horses. The USDA requires all horses entering the U.S. from foreign countries to have a U.S. Veterinary Services (VS) issued certificate of veterinary inspection, health certificate or test results for infectious diseases, proof of ownership, and a proof of origin. In addition to the USDA, some states, including Washington, have their own laws restricting the importation of horses. Washington State Department of Agriculture requires any horse imported from Canada to have a negative Coggins test result for equine infectious anemia, and a certificate of health within the last 12 months. In order to protect the health of the entire equine population, Washington State also requires horses imported from within the United States to have a negative Coggins test and to originate from an approved low-risk area for contagious equine metritis (CEM). Horses entering the state with a history of being exposed to CEM must have a CEM test performed within the U.S. before entry. Overall, the importation of horses into the United States is restricted by the USDA as well as by individual state laws. These laws ensure public health by preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting the health of horses in the United States.
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