[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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.
www.aphis.usda.gov/acFor 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