Jim Rogers (301) 690-7455
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD ON IDA ELEPHANT PETITION AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the public comment period on a notice regarding the In Defense of Animals’ petition on elephants and request for comment on elephant issues to Dec. 11. APHIS is taking this action to ensure all interested parties have time to prepare and submit comments.
These comments will assist APHIS in determining whether specific standards are needed in the Animal Welfare Act for captive elephants’ space and living conditions and what those standards should be.
Specifically, APHIS invites responses to the following questions:
- What are the causes of arthritis in elephants?
- What, if any, foot care practices have been used on captive elephants to maintain healthy feet?
- What floors are best for captive elephants? Are there any flooring conditions that promote foot problems?
- Do captive elephants require a certain amount of exercise (i.e., walking) to maintain healthy feet?
- What industry/professional standards are available for elephant care and husbandry?
- Are there any other health or care issues related to elephants that should be specifically addressed in the AWA standards?
The AWA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to set standards and regulations governing the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, carriers and intermediate handlers.
Notice of this action is published in the Oct. 24 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Dec. 11. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0044, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu; then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0044 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also be viewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.
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