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ARTICLE · 23 MARCH 2026

Federal Agencies Ordered To Prioritize Animal Welfare Enforcement, Elevating Compliance Risks For Regulated Organizations

Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring LLP
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Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP

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The Trump administration announced a coordinated, government-wide push to strengthen enforcement of the AWA, with DOJ, USDA, DHS, and HHS jointly committing their departments...

United StatesCompliance

What You Need to Know

Key takeaway #1

The Trump administration announced a coordinated, government-wide push to strengthen enforcement of the AWA, with DOJ, USDA, DHS, and HHS jointly committing their departments to holding animal welfare violators accountable.

Key takeaway #2

The initiative does not create new legal obligations, but may materially alter the enforcement environment, regulatory focus, and compliance expectations across industries that require USDA licenses — including research, agriculture, food production, wildlife exhibition and trade, transportation, and imports and exports.

Key takeaway #3

Increased inspections would mean more USDA compliance reports posted online, amplifying reputational risks for regulated entities.

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