Press Release

Darby Holladay	(301) 734-3265
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON THE REGULATION OF BIRDS, RATS AND MICE

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks comments about regulating birds, rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus under the Animal Welfare Act. These regulations are being considered to promote the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of birds and these rats and mice not excluded specifically from coverage under the AWA.

APHIS also solicits public comments to determine how it should regulate care for birds not specifically bred for research. In addition, APHIS will determine if new regulatory standards are needed or if the current AWA regulatory standards are sufficient to regulate these animals.

Should APHIS institute specific standards, APHIS requests that the public submits data and information regarding any potential economic effects on those entities impacted by these regulations.

Notice of this action will appear in the June 4 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Aug. 3. Comments can be submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery or by e-mail. Send an original and three copies of comment to Docket No. 98-106-4, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238 or e-mail comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. E-mail comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and type “Docket No. 98-106-4" on the subject line. To submit comments on-line, go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for locating this docket and submitting comments.

Comments can be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2871.

Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS home page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov and click on the "News" button.