Exercise Roving
Sands Update
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
remains vigilant in its efforts to prevent the introduc-
tion of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into the United
States. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) continues to work cooperatively with
the U.S. military on Exercise Roving Sands.
On May 11, the U.S. Department of Defense
(DOD) imposed its own restrictions on Exercise
Roving Sands. All military vehicles from the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom are prohibited
from entering the United States. Only manned
portable equipment arriving by aircraft will be allowed
from these two countries. Military equipment from
Germany, properly cleaned and disinfected, is not
restricted.
On May 15, military vehicles from Germany
arrived at Fort Biggs, TX. Upon examination of the
equipment, APHIS inspectors found that some of the
equipment did not meet APHIS cleanliness standards
for entry. Following APHIS protocol, those pieces
were rejected, reloaded on the ship, and were
returned to Germany. APHIS allowed clean equip-
ment to enter the United States.
While Germany has not suffered an outbreak of
FMD, APHIS continues to be on guard to protect
against the disease, which has affected several
European Union Member States.
USDA takes every precaution, including inspec-
tions, use of canine teams, and x rays, to ensure that
military equipment from foreign countries meets all
required safeguards. The United States has been
free of FMD since 1929.
For more information about FMD, visit the USDA
website at www.usda.gov. For recorded traveler
information call 1-866-SAFGUARD.
Safeguarding American Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service •
United States Department of Agriculture •
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orienta-
tion, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply t