proposed rule exportation of live animals hatching eggs and animal germplasm from the united states docket no. aphis-2012-0049 the animal and plant health inspection service aphis is proposing to revise the regulations pertaining to the exportation of livestock from the united states. among other things we propose to remove most of the requirements for export health certifications tests and treatments from the regulations and instead would direct exporters to follow the requirements of the importing country regarding such processes and procedures. we propose to retain only those export health certification testing and treatment requirements that we consider necessary to have assurances regarding the health and welfare of livestock exported from the united states. we also propose to allow pre-export inspection of livestock to occur at facilities other than an export inspection facility associated with the port of embarkation under certain circumstances and propose to replace specific standards for export inspection facilities and ocean vessels with performance standards. these changes would provide exporters and the animal and plant health inspection service with more flexibility in arranging for the export of livestock from the united states while continuing to ensure the health and welfare of the livestock. additionally if a country is known to require an export health certificate for any animal other than livestock including pets or for any hatching eggs or animal germplasm we propose to require that the animal hatching eggs or animal germplasm have an export health certificate to be eligible for export from the united states. this change would hel ensure that all animals hatching eggs and animal germplasm exported from the united states meet the health requirements of the countries to which they are destined. finally we are proposing editorial amendments to the regulations to make them easier to understand and comply with. federal register vol. 80 no. 38 thursday 26 february 2015 pages 10398-10417