[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49468-49469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25069]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 97-001-2]


Handling, Training, and Exhibition of Potentially Dangerous 
Exotic or Wild Animals

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reopening and extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are reopening and extending the comment period for our 
notice requesting information concerning what practices are currently 
used for handling and training potentially dangerous exotic or wild

[[Page 49469]]

animals used in exhibition (such as, but not limited to, elephants, 
lions, or tigers), and what training and experience levels trainers and 
handlers of such animals have. This reopening and extension will 
provide interested groups and individuals with additional time to 
prepare comments on the request for information.

DATES: Consideration will be given only to comments on Docket No. 97-
001-1 that are received on or before November 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and three copies of your comments to 
Docket No. 97-001-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, 
Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please 
state that your comments refer to Docket No. 97-001-1. Comments 
received may be inspected at USDA, room 1141, South Building, 14th 
Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing 
to inspect comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to 
facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Smith, Staff Animal Health 
Technician, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1234, (301) 734-7833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 24, 1997, we published in the Federal Register (62 FR 
39802, Docket No. 97-001-1) a notice requesting information concerning 
the training and handling of potentially dangerous wild and exotic 
animals used in exhibition in order to obtain a better understanding of 
the issues pertaining to their welfare.
    Comments on the request for information were required to be 
received on or before September 22, 1997. We received two requests to 
extend the period during which comments will be accepted. The requests 
were from an animal welfare organization and an industry association. 
In response, we are reopening and extending the comment period on 
Docket No. 97-001-1 for an additional 45 days. This action will allow 
interested groups and individuals additional time to prepare and submit 
comments.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(g).

    Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of September 1997.
Craig A. Reed,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25069 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P