Regulations for temporary international movement of high-health, high-performance horses

(a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to facilitate the temporary international movement of high-health, high-performance horses. The Secretary shall periodically review and, as appropriate, revise such regulations, including whenever— (1) the World Organization for Animal Health revises its health, biosecurity, and identification standards for the temporary international movement of high-health, high-performance horses; (2) a significant advance is made in equine diagnostic capabilities; or (3) a change occurs in the epidemiology of equine regulatory diseases. (b) Elements The regulations (including the revisions to such regulations) referred to in subsection (a) shall— (1) recognize the low health risk posed by horses certified for international competition under standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health; (2) establish a risk-based framework incorporating identification, traceability, and biosecurity measures; (3) accept certification from national or international recognized entities regarding the health status of horses; and (4) provide for expedited entry procedures and modified quarantine protocols consistent with international best practices and internationally recognized standards. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) High-health, high-performance horse The term high-health, high-performance horse means a horse that meets the health, biosecurity, and identification standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health for temporary movement, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. (2) National or international recognized entity The term national or international recognized entity means an organization— (A) (i) certified as a national governing body under section 220521(a) of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act (36 U.S.C. 220521); or (ii) certified or recognized by another appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (including national recognized breed registries, national recognized discipline organizations, and sanctioning bodies); and (B) that is responsible for organizing, regulating, or certifying high-health, high-performance horse competitions or participants. (3) National recognized breed registry The term national recognized breed registry means a domestic organization that maintains official pedigree, identification, and performance records for a specific equine breed and that establishes and enforces breed specific standards or competition rules. (4) National recognized discipline organization The term national recognized discipline organization means a domestic organization that sanctions, regulates, or certifies equine competitions within a defined sport discipline and establishes participation, eligibility, or health standards for such competitions. (5) Temporary international movement The term temporary international movement means the entry of high-health, high-performance horses into the United States for a limited duration for the purpose of participating in recognized international competitions or races. (d) Rulemaking Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall initiate rulemaking to implement the provisions of this Act.