[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 117 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14930]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 20, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 117
Monday, June 20, 1994
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 90-006-4]
Farm Animal Issues Under the Animal Welfare Act; 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 care and use of farm animals for nonagricultural activities
regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. Recommendations and proposed
guidelines from this meeting will be used in further evaluation and
review of regulatory issues concerning the care and use of farm animals
for nonagricultural activities.
PLACE, DATE, AND TIME OF MEETING: The meeting will be held at the
University of Maryland University College, The Inn and Conference
Center, room 0105, University Boulevard and Adelphi Road, College Park,
MD 20742. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on
Thursday, July 7, 1994. Parking will be available at The Inn and
Conference Center for $0.50 per hour or $4.00 for the entire day.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. G. Cherry, Acting Director, Animal
Care Staff, REAC, APHIS, USDA, room 565, Federal Building, 6505
Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-7833.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131
et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
responsible for regulating the care and use of farm animals for
nonagricultural activities. In September 1993, APHIS hosted an open
forum in Oklahoma City, OK, to canvass the concerned public for
recommendations and opinions on the housing, care, handling, and unique
practices applied to the nonagricultural uses of farm animals. The
forum addressed almost exclusively the concerns of the agricultural and
nonagricultural research industry in respect to these issues. In
December 1993, APHIS held a meeting attended solely by Federal
personnel representing various governmental agencies, also to discuss
issues concerning the care and use of farm animals for nonagricultural
activities.
The purpose of the public meeting announced in this notice is to
obtain input from the general public, animal scientists and
researchers, exhibitors, dealers, commercial animal transporters, and
animal protection groups concerning the issues discussed above. Topics
addressed may include, but need not be limited to: (1) Agricultural
exemptions; (2) agricultural versus nonagricultural environments; (3)
the well-being of farm animals; and (4) special considerations for
major operative procedures. We emphasize that the meeting will focus
only on farm animal issues that are subject to the Animal Welfare Act;
issues concerning farm animals used in production agriculture are not
subject to the Animal Welfare Act. The comments received during the
meeting will aid APHIS in developing regulations and standards for the
humane care and treatment of farm animals used for nonagricultural
activities that are subject to the Animal Welfare Act.
The meeting on July 7, 1994, will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4
p.m.; however, the meeting may end earlier if all persons desiring to
speak have been heard. We ask that persons who wish to speak register
with APHIS by submitting their request in writing to Ms. Joy DeArce,
Animal Care Program Specialist, REAC, APHIS, USDA, room 568-C, Federal
Building, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, no later than July
1, 1994. Participants should limit presentations to 10 minutes in order
to allow everyone wishing to speak an opportunity to be heard. Any
person attending the meeting who did not register with APHIS by July 1
will be given an opportunity to speak after the registered speakers
have completed their presentations, as time permits. All participants
are requested to submit a written or computer disc copy of their
presentation to APHIS on the day of the meeting.
Any person who is unable to attend the public meeting but wishes to
comment, or any person who attends the public meeting but wishes to
submit additional comments, may send written comments to Ms. Joy
DeArce, at the address listed for her above, no later than July 22,
1994.
Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of June 1994.
Alex B. Thiermann,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 94-14930 Filed 6-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
