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| Hi All,
I saw this last night on the website. Thought some of you might be interested.
Art
Jessica Milteer (301) 734-3265
Karen Eggert (202) 690-4178
USDA PROPOSES TO AMEND ANIMAL TRANSPORT REGULATIONS TO
INCLUDE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL COVERED ANIMALS
WASHINGTON, May 9, 2008--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced a proposal to amend the Animal Welfare
Act (AWA) regulations by adding minimum age requirements for the transport of all covered
animals in commerce. The regulations currently contain such requirements only for dogs and
cats, and not for other regulated animals such as nonhuman primates and marine mammals,
among others.
Establishing minimum age requirements for the transport of all animals covered by the
AWA helps to ensure their humane treatment. Under the proposed rule, animals would have to
travel with their mother or be weaned and at least 8 weeks of age in order to be transported in
commerce.
Unweaned animals and animals under the age of 8 weeks are generally not yet able to eat
and drink independently of their mothers and have a need for frequent nourishment and water.
For this reason, shipping young animals increases their risk of illness and death. This risk may
be further increased if the animals are delayed during transport to their final destination.
The proposal provides an exception for transport to a licensed veterinarian for medical
care when animals are less than 8 weeks of age and/or unweaned. The proposal also provides an
exception for animals to be transported to registered research facilities for use in specific
approved research protocols, provided a transportation plan is submitted and approved by the
appropriate APHIS animal care regional office.
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 the proposed rule is published in the May 9 Federal Register.
Consideration will be given to comments received on or before July 8. Send two copies
of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024, 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=DocketDet...
2004; then click on “Add Comments.” This will also allow you to view public comments and
related materials available electronically.
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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., SW., 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.
#
Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are
available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS news release page at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/newsroom. Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to
receive APHIS press releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to
[email protected] and leave the subject blank. In the message, type
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USDA APHIS proposing baby animal transport rule
