[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31353]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-105-1]
Availability of Horse Protection Strategic Plan
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: We are advising the public of the availability of the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service Horse Protection Strategic Plan.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Horse Protection Strategic Plan are available and may be obtained
either by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, or electronically at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac. A copy of
the strategic plan is also available for public inspection at USDA,
room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays. Persons wishing to inspect this document are requested
to call the reading room in advance at (202) 690-2817.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard Watkins, Initiatives
Coordinator, USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, 4700 River Road, Unit 84,
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, (301) 734-4981.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The practice known as ``soring'' is the
causing of pain in Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited horses, in
order to affect their performance. The Horse Protection Act (HPA) (11
U.S.C. et seq.) was enacted for the purpose of eliminating soring by
prohibiting the showing, exhibition, transport or sale of sore horses.
Exercising its rulemaking and enforcement authority under the HPA, the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issues and enforces
regulations regarding horse protection at title 9, chapter I, part 11,
of the Code of Federal Regulations.
In 1995, APHIS initiated development of a Horse Protection
Strategic Plan, designed to achieve the elimination of soring by
strengthening APHIS's relationship with the walking horse industry.
APHIS drafted a preliminary Strategic Plan, then convened three public
meetings in 1996 to gather comments regarding the plan. The meetings
were open forums attended by APHIS personnel, horse industry
organization representatives, animal interest groups, and other
individuals. APHIS considered all comments received at these forums,
and revised its preliminary plan accordingly. We are giving notice that
the final Horse Protection Strategic Plan is available to the public.
Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of November, 1997.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31353 Filed 11-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
