APHIS Proposes Rule On Procedures For Applying For Licenses And Renewals

In the August 24, 2017, Federal Register, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") solicited public comments on potential revisions to the licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare Act ("AWA") regulations. These revisions are intended to promote compliance with the Act, reduce licensing fees, and further prevent any individual whose license has been suspended or revoked, or who has a history of noncompliance, from obtaining a license or working with regulated animals. APHIS is interested in knowing: (i) whether it should establish a firm expiration date for licenses (such as three to five years) and if so, what the date should be and why; (ii) what fees would be reasonable to assess for licenses issued, and whether the existing license fees are reasonable, or whether they should be adjusted to take additional factors into consideration, such as the type of animals used in regulated activities; (iii) whether persons whose license has been