Animal Welfare; Draft Policy on Environment Enhancement for Nonhuman Primates

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 3

[Docket No. 98-121-2]

Animal Welfare; Draft Policy on Environment Enhancement for

Nonhuman Primates

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period for a document requesting

comments on a draft policy regarding environment enhancement for

nonhuman primates. This action will allow interested persons additional

time to prepare and submit comments.

DATES: We invite you to comment on Docket No. 98-121-1. We will

consider all comments that we receive by October 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comment and three copies to: Docket No. 98-

121-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, -PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03,

4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. 98-121-1.

You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our

reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA

South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,

DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you,

please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.

APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related

information, including the names of organizations and individuals who

have commented on APHIS rules, are available on the Internet at http://

www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Roberts, Ph.D., Program

Evaluation and Monitoring, PPD, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 120,

Riverdale, MD 20737-1234; (301)734-8937; or e-mail:

Natalie.A.R[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On July 15, 1999, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR

38145-38150, Docket No. 98-121-1) a draft policy statement to clarify

what we believe must be considered and included in an environment

enhancement plan for nonhuman primates in order for dealers,

exhibitors, and research facilities to adequately promote the

psychological well-being of the nonhuman primates. We also requested

public comment on the draft policy.

Comments on the draft policy were required to be received on or

before September 13, 1999. We are extending the comment period on

Docket No. 98-121-1 for an additional 30 days. This action will allow

interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).

Done in Washington, DC, this 1st day of September 1999 .

Bobby R. Acord,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 99-23187 Filed 9-3-9; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P