Introduction | Summary of Regulatory Requirements | Implementation Timeline
This page provides a general overview of the new regulations for contingency planning and training of personnel that were published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2021. The contingency planning rule took effect on January 3, 2022.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a final rule on December 31, 2012 to establish regulations under which research facilities and dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers must meet certain requirements for contingency planning and training of personnel. Implementation of this final rule was stayed on July 31, 2013. The stay has now been lifted and minor revisions have been made to the requirements to better ensure that entities responsible for animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act are prepared to safeguard the health and welfare of such animals in the event of possible emergencies or disasters.
back to topThe new contingency planning regulations require all licensees and registrants to develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan to provide for the humane handling, treatment, transportation, housing, and care of their animals in the event of an emergency or disaster. The documented contingency plan must:
APHIS’ AC program has provided an optional fillable form, APHIS Form 7093 Contingency Planning Program, that may be used to develop and document the contingency plan. However, regulated facilities are not required to use this form and may use existing contingency plans which meet the new requirements.
Upon completion of the contingency plan, licensees and registrants must provide training for personnel regarding their roles and responsibilities as described in the plan. Providing training is a vital component of contingency planning as it ensures that personnel are aware and prepared to safeguard the welfare of the animals if an emergency arises.
The contingency plan must be reviewed on at least an annual basis to ensure that it adequately addresses any changes or new emergency situations encountered that were not previously considered. Each licensee or registrant must maintain documentation of their annual reviews including any changes since the previous year’s review. The annual review documentation, along with the documented contingency plan, must be made available to APHIS upon request, including occasions when traveling facilities are in travel status.
back to topThe new regulations for contingency planning and training of personnel were published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2021. The contingency planning rule took effect on January 3, 2022.
Written Contingency Plan: All current licensed and registered facilities (research facilities, dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers) must have a written Contingency Plan in place by July 5, 2022.
Training: All currently registered and licensed facilities must train their personnel on their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the facility’s Contingency Plan.
Annual review: The Contingency Plan must be reviewed at least on an annual basis. Any substantive changes to the plan as a result of the required annual review must be communicated to employees through training within 30 days of making the changes.
back to topIf you weren’t able to attend our webinar entitled “Contingency Planning” on May 11th, 2022 you can find a recording of the webinar and the presentation below:
Contingency Planning Webinar Recording Slides from the Contingency Planning Webinar Additional Q&As