Legislation and Ballot Initiative Updates March 14, 2014 SAOVA Friends, APHIS held the first of what will be many sessions focused on implementing animal care provisions included in the recently passed Farm Bill. The teleconference call was very short providing only a general overview and no time frames were addressed. Dr. Chester Gipson noted that the 2014 Farm Bill gave APHIS broad de minimis authority, allowing them to exempt certain low risk dealers and exhibitors from the Animal Welfare Act license requirement. The de minimis standard was part of a revision to the AWA definition of “dealer”. The Farm Bill does not specify exactly who will be exempted, but the Farm Bill managers did indicate that APHIS should not exempt any entity just because it is a nonprofit, nor should they exempt facilities with a small number of dangerous animals. Director Kevin Shea noted APHIS may publish additional proposed rules. In reference to the Farm Bill managers asking for clarification of the definition of breeding female, Tracy Letterman with HSUS commented that no further clarifications to the APHIS retail pet store were needed or should be made. Technical difficulties prevented other attendees from asking questions or making comments. A transcription of the teleconference is posted on the SAOVA website saova.org/APHIS_rulemaking.html
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 13:58:22 +0000
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