- USDA/APHIS announces regulations for birds.
Published by -NAWA News Feed- in -USDA Updates- · Saturday 19 Feb 2022
On Friday, February 18, 2022, the USDA announced its proposed rules for the regulation of birds under its authority through the Animal Welfare Act. As we reported in the past, the USDA had been hinting of there desire to take on birds under its regulatory scheme.
As most are aware, USDA/APHIS who's Director of Animal Care is Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer, had just recently (2020) completed a large overhaul of its regulations related to animals, claiming in large part the agency needed to “streamline” its operation and time. Now it seems that they are ready to take on over 9,000 different avian species.
Following the federal rulemaking process, the announcement of its (USDA) proposed rules is the last step before regulatory activation. As swiftly as we have been monitoring this, it would be no surprise if regulations become active by the end of the year and more than likely before the mid-term elections.
But that’s not all. Sources are telling us that the USDA is eyeing equines (horses) next. While horses are currently regulated under the Horse Protection Act, it currently does not regulate breeding or exhibition activities.
The announced proposed rules/regulations for birds will now go through a 65 day comment period which is double the normal time usually posted, indicating that there may not be any period extensions, further hinting that the USDA is ready to start.
The view and/or comment on the regulations, click here.
The below is a copy of the release by the USDA:
Contacts:
Andre Bell
Richard.A.Bell@usda.gov
Lyndsay Cole
Lyndsay.M.Cole@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, February 18, 2022 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comments on a proposal to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations to establish new regulations and standards governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of birds. The proposed regulations would apply to captive birds not bred for use in research.
The proposal would ensure each individual bird that is subject to the AWA is raised and maintained in conditions that ensure its good health and well-being and that its physical and behavioral needs are met. The proposed rule outlines how entities with birds can obtain a license and the standards they would have to follow.
APHIS is asking the public to provide comments on how this proposed rule would impact the regulated community, as well as ways that APHIS might assist regulated entities with implementation of these standards, whether through documents, guides, training, or other means. APHIS also invites comments on the proposed operating standards for facilities, the proposed animal health and husbandry standards, and the proposed transportation standards.
These proposed standards would allow APHIS to ensure the welfare of birds while affording flexibility in implementing the standards to bird breeders, dealers, exhibitors, and transporters.
In addition to the proposed rule, APHIS has completed an Environmental Assessment and a Regulatory Impact Analysis for these regulations and is sharing both documents for review and comment.
APHIS is committed to ensuring the welfare of regulated animals and continues to carry out the critical day-to-day work of ensuring the humane treatment of vulnerable animals through unannounced inspections, pre-compliance visits, horse protection inspections, and other activities.
This proposed rule may be viewed in today’s Federal Register. Beginning Tuesday, February 22, members of the public may submit comments. All comments must be received by April 25, 2022.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. (View Source)
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