Dogs and Cats in Commercial Pet Trade; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 1, 2, and 3

[Docket No. 95-099-2]

Dogs and Cats in Commercial Pet Trade; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service is hosting a public meeting to gather information on

the current Animal Welfare Act regulations and standards that apply to

the care of dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. In line with our

commitment to ensure appropriate care for animals regulated under the

Animal Welfare Act, we are reviewing these regulations and standards

and are seeking recommendations and opinions from the affected

industries and concerned public to determine whether revisions are

necessary.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on two consecutive half days--

from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on the first day and from 8 a.m. until noon on

the second day. The meeting will be held in Washington, DC, on April 10

and 11, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of

Agriculture South Building, South Cafeteria, First Floor, Wing 3, 14th

Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. If travelling by

Metro to the USDA South Building, take the Blue Line (towards Stadium-

Armory/Addison Road) or the Orange Line (towards Stadium-Armory/New

Carrollton). Exit the train at the Smithsonian station and follow signs

to Independence Avenue. Enter Wing 1 of the USDA South Building

(entrance is at the corner of 12th Street and Independence Avenue)

immediately after exiting the station. You will be required to show

identification at the Guard Desk. Proceed to the South Cafeteria in

Wing 3 on the first floor; registration will take place at the back of

the Cafeteria.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Smith, Animal Health

Technician, Animal Care Staff, REAC, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit

84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-4972.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (7 U.S.C.

2131 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

is responsible for regulating the care provided to certain animals,

including dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. APHIS believes the

AWA regulations and standards pertaining to such dogs and cats may need

to be updated. APHIS officials are reviewing the pertinent AWA

regulations and standards.

In conducting this review, the agency is seeking recommendations

and opinions regarding the housing, care, handling, and transportation

of dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. APHIS officials decided

to hold three meetings to gather input from the public, animal

protection organizations, and members of affected industries, such as

dealers, research facilities, and commercial animal transporters. The

first two meetings were held in Kansas City, MO, on February 21 and 22,

1996, and in St. Louis, MO, on February 23 and 24, 1996. We have chosen

to hold the third meeting in Washington, DC.

The meeting will include four workshops facilitated by trained

APHIS facilitators: (1) Space requirements for primary enclosures,

including room for exercise; (2) sanitation, materials, flooring, and

construction of primary enclosures; (3) veterinary care and breeding

frequency; and (4) transportation by land and by air. In these

workshops, group participation will be used to develop recommendations

within specific topic areas. After the workshops have concluded, each

workshop group will report its recommendations to the entire meeting.

APHIS will consider these recommendations in developing any

revisions to the current AWA regulations and standards. The Agency will

initiate rulemaking for any changes deemed appropriate.

Participants will register to participate in one workshop for the

entire meeting. Registration for workshop sessions will be held from 11

a.m.-1 p.m. on April 10 at the back of the South Cafeteria, with the

general session beginning at 1 p.m. Attendance may be limited for some

workshops because of space availability. Any persons who are unable to

attend the meeting, but who wish to comment on any topics covered by

the four workshops, may send written comments to the person listed

under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Done in Washington, DC, this 19th day of March 1996.

Lonnie J. King,

Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 96-6982 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P