Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care

4 Pages·1995·0.28 MB·English

by  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care

Historic, Archive Document
i
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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United States
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Department of
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The mission of the U S. Department of Agriculture’s • Liaison and cooperation with other Federal. State,
(USDA) Anima! and Plant Health Inspection Service and foreign agencies; industry groups; and any other
(APHIS) is to provide leadership in ensuring the interested parties; and
health and care of animals and plants, thereby • Development of regulatory proposals and policy
improving agricultural productivity and competitive- under the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts.
ness and contributing to the national economy and
the public health. The 1988 reorganization ofAPHIS Regulatory Enforcement
created two units that run in tandem with one another Regulatory Enforcement’s staff of field investigators
Regulatory Enforcement and Anima! Care (REAC). and staff specialists helps APHIS accomplish its
Each unit supports the APHIS mission and cooper- mission. Regulatory Enforcement’s mission is to
ates with other APHIS programs. provide leadership, direction, and support for investi-
gative and enforcement activities throughout APHIS.
The Regulatory Enforcement component of REAC Regulatory Enforcement accomplishes its mission
performs the investigative and enforcement functions through investigating violations of laws, standards,
for all APHIS programs, including Animal Care. and regulations for the following APHIS units: AmmaJ
Animal Care is responsible for implementing the Care; Veterinary Services; Plant Protection and
anima! welfare program and ensuring compliance Quarantine; and Biotechnology, Biologies, and
with the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts. Environmental Protection.
The two programs operate through four sector offices.
Each APHIS unit has its own protection mission:
Animal Care
Animal Care is composed of field and staff veterinary • As described above. Animal Care protects animals
medical officers and animal care inspectors. Animal covered under The Animal Welfare and Horse Protec-
Care's mission is to ensure compliance with the tion Acts.
Animal Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act, and • Veterinary Services protects the health of the
their accompanying regulations and standards Nation’s livestock and poultry through disease
governing the humane care and use of covered eradication and exclusion activities.
species of animals. TheAnimal Welfare Act protects • Plant Protection and Quarantine protects the
from inhumane treatment and neglect certain warm- Nation's agricultural resources from the national and
blooded animals raised for commercial sale, used in international spread of plant pests and diseases.
research, transported commercially, or exhibited to
the public and requires that these animals be pro- • Biotechnology, Biologies, and Environmental
vided at least the minimum standards of care and Protection protects the environment by regulating the
treatment required by the regulations. The Horse movement and release of genetically engineered
organisms and veterinary biological products.
Protection Act prohibits horses subjected to soring
a painful practice used to accentuate a horse’s gait
from participating in exhibitions, sales, shows, or Regulatory Enforcement helps to enforce and main-
tain compliance with APHIS regulations by:
auctions
• Conducting Investigations of alleged violations of
Animal Care accomplishes its mission through: laws and regulations.
• Educating the industry and the public about the • Reviewing, evaluating, and processing alleged
Animal Welfare Act. the Horse Protection Act, and the violation cases in dose cooperation with USDA’s
governing standards and regulations; Office of the General Counsel and APHIS program
• Performing compliance inspections of all licensed officials.
or registered animal dealers, exhibitors, research
facilities, and intransit carriers;
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• Maintaining complete case files on alleged violators South Central Sector Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas,
and accurately tracking investigations and program Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
violations with the APHIS Compliance Investigation Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Tracking System data base.
USDA, APHIS, REAC
• Developing and maintaining a resource library on
enforcement issues, disseminating information, and P.O. Box 6258
providing training for APHIS programs. 501 Felix Street, Bldg. #11
Fort Worth, TX 76115
• Preparing and issuing warning letters and recom- Telephone: [phone]
mending consistent penalties and collection of fines
regarding administrative and/or criminal actions. Southeast Sector—Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
» Coordinating administrative hearings and the Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina. Puerto Rico,
approval process for subpoenas. South Carolina. Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands
For More Information The Animal Care Staff in the Southeast also includes
For more information about REAC activities at Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
APHIS’ headquarters or REAC sector offices, you
may contact: USDA, APHIS, REAC
Deputy Administrator 501 E. Polk St., #820
USDA, APHIS, REAC Tampa, FL 33602
306-E Administration Building Telephone: [phone]
Washington, DC 20250 —
Telephone: [phone] Western Sector Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada. New
Northeast Sector—Connecticut, Delaware, Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington. Wyoming
District of Columbia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New USDA, APHIS. REAC
Jersey, New York. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 9580 Micron Ave., #E
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia Sacramento, CA 95827
Telephone: [phone]
The Regulatory Enforcement Staff in the Northeast
also includes Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
USDA, APHIS, REAC
2568-A Riva Rd., Suite 302
Annapolis, MD 21401
Telephone: [phone]