96-16997. Horse Protection; Public Meetings

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 3, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 34747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16997]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 3, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 34747]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 11

[Docket No. 96-037-1]


Horse Protection; Public Meetings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting a series of public meetings to 
discuss proposed enforcement changes to the current Horse Protection 
Act. These proposals have been developed and are outlined in the APHIS 
``Strategic Plan'' for Horse Protection. The development of the 
strategic plan is in line with our commitment to ensure appropriate 
care for horses regulated under the Horse Protection Act. We are 
reviewing the current regulations and standards promulgated under the 
Horse Protection Act, and are seeking recommendations and opinions from 
affected industries and other concerned members of the public to 
determine which revisions are necessary and appropriate in order to 
further reduce the incidence of soring and improve enforcement.

DATES: The first meeting will be held in Murfreesboro, TN, on July 26, 
1996. The second meeting will be held in St. Louis, MO, on August 2, 
1996. The third meeting will be held in Sacramento, CA, on August 16, 
1996. Each meeting will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
1. Murfreesboro, TN: Middle Tennessee State University, Loop Drive, 
James Union Building, Tennessee Room, Murfreesboro, TN, [phone]. 
If traveling from Nashville, take I-24 to exit 78, then head east on 
Highway 96 (Old Fort Parkway) to Memorial Boulevard (Highway 231). Turn 
right on Clark Boulevard, then left onto Greenland Drive. Park in the 
Greenland Drive parking lot and take the shuttle bus to the James Union 
Building.
2. St. Louis, MO: The Adams Mark Hotel, Fourth and Chestnut, St. Louis, 
MO, [phone]. If traveling from Lambert International Airport, 
take I-70 east to the Gateway Arch exit. The Adams Mark Hotel is 
located at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut.
3. Sacramento, CA: Red Lion Hotel, Red Lion Ballroom, Sierra and 
Cascade Sections, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA, [phone]. 
The Red Lion Hotel is at the corner of Point West Way and Arden Way.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John V. Zisk, Director, Horse 
Protection, Animal Care Staff, REAC, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 
84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, [phone]. Copies of the ``Strategic 
Plan'' are available through this office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The practice known as ``soring'' is the 
causing of suffering in show horses to affect their performance in the 
show ring. Under the Horse Protection Act (HPA) (11 U.S.C. et seq.), 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible 
for eliminating the practice of soring, by prohibiting the showing or 
selling of sored horses.
    APHIS believes the regulations and standards established in 
accordance with the HPA may need to be updated, and APHIS officials 
have proposed program changes through a ``Strategic Plan.'' In this 
plan, we have reviewed which areas of enforcement may require a change 
in regulations and standards based on our experience and knowledge of 
the program. In developing these proposed changes and conducting this 
review, APHIS is seeking recommendations and opinions regarding the 
following: The enforcement of the HPA by USDA-certified horse industry 
organizations; the certification status of horse industry 
organizations; uniform systems of rules, regulations, and penalties; 
training and research. As a forum for such recommendations and 
opinions, APHIS will hold three meetings to gather input from the 
public, including equine protection organizations and members of 
affected industries, such as the walking horse industry and related 
equine organizations. The meetings will include four workshops 
facilitated by trained APHIS facilitators, as follows:
    (1) Self-regulatory enforcement of the HPA by USDA-certified horse 
industry organizations;
    (2) USDA certifications of horse industry organizations;
    (3) Uniform rules, regulations, and penalty systems; and
    (4) Training and research under the HPA.
    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 the recommendations received in developing any 
revisions to the current HPA regulations and standards. The Agency will 
initiate rulemaking for any changes deemed appropriate.
    Each of the workshops will be conducted twice at each meeting, once 
in the morning and once in the afternoon. Participants who intend to 
attend a full 1-day meeting are asked to register for only one workshop 
for the morning and a different workshop for the afternoon. Attendance 
may be limited for some workshops because of space availability.
    Registration will be held the day of each meeting between 7:30 a.m. 
and 8:30 a.m. at the entrance of the general assembly meeting rooms. 
The general sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. Any person who is unable 
to attend the meetings, but who wishes to comment on any of the topics 
covered by the four workshops, may send written comments to the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 27th day of June 1996.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-16997 Filed 7-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P