Jessica Milteer (301) 734-3265
Angela Harless (202) 720-4623
USDA PROPOSES TO AMEND REGULATIONS COVERING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVE ANIMALS IN TRANSPORT
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2008--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks comments on a proposal to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations for transportation of live animals excluding marine mammals.
The goal of the proposed rule is to remove the current ambient temperature requirements for various stages in the transportation of regulated animals. If accepted, this proposed rule would replace those requirements with a single performance standard under which the animals would be transported under climatic and environment conditions that are appropriate for their welfare making acclimation certificates for live animals other than marine mammals unnecessary.
This proposal also would require transport compartments on aircraft to be opened during prolonged layovers, as well as the use of ground equipment to maintain appropriate conditions in the cargo hold during the layover. Finally, the proposed rule, if finalized, would eliminate the requirement for acclimation certificates for animals other than marine mammals.
This proposal replaces a June 1999 proposed rule, which was withdrawn. This proposal does not address marine mammals due to their unique requirements for care and handling.
Notice of this proposed rule was published in the Jan. 3 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before March 4. Send an original and two copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 99-014-2, 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/fdmspublic/
component/main?main=
DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2006-0150; then click on “Add Comments.” This will also allow you to view public comments and related materials available electronically.
Comments are posted on the Reglations.gov Web site and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., 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) 690-2817.
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