U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced new efforts to strengthen standards and enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act, including a forthcoming proposal focused on USDA dog welfare standards.
“We are announcing additional aggressive steps that we are taking to further bolster our animal welfare efforts,” Rollins said.
USDA Dog Welfare Standards Under Review
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to introduce a regulatory proposal that would update standards for dogs covered under the Animal Welfare Act. The announcement follows a request for information from USDA seeking public input on potential changes to the existing standards.
According to Rollins, USDA received more than 7,500 public comments through that process. The department is now reviewing that feedback as it works toward developing the proposed regulations.
The Animal Welfare Act establishes federal standards for the humane care and treatment of certain animals used in research, exhibition and commercial activities. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing regulated facilities.
For those involved in animal agriculture and related industries, changes to federal animal welfare regulations can have implications for how regulated facilities operate and comply with USDA requirements. The details of the proposed dog standards will become clearer once the regulatory proposal is formally released.
Next Steps for the Proposed Standards
Rollins emphasized that the administration is continuing to pursue additional measures related to animal welfare and enforcement. The upcoming proposal represents one part of those broader efforts.
The next step will be the release of the proposed rule, which will provide more details on the specific changes USDA is considering. Once released, the proposal is expected to provide an opportunity for additional public review and comment.
The announcement comes as USDA continues evaluating feedback received from stakeholders and the public. The more than 7,500 comments submitted during the information-gathering process will help inform the department’s approach as it moves forward.
Listen to the accompanying audio report for more on USDA’s plans to strengthen Animal Welfare Act standards.