[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]


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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 http://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.

FOR 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