From:
Linda Iroff
Date: 2007-05-23 18:15:16 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] USDA on ferret specific regulations
To: Ferret Mailing List <ferret-l@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG>, Ferret Health List <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>, ferret_symposium@yahoogroups.com
In August 2005, at the request of the IFC and several other ferret=20
groups and individuals, the USDA published a notice of petition and=20
request for comments on ferret specific standards for the Animal=20
Welfare Act. Approximately 1,500 of you responded, urging the USDA to=20
enact such standards for the care, handling and transport of ferrets.=20
(For background information, see a reprint of an AFA article written=20
by Mike Morrett at <http://www.ferretcongress.org/USDA/USDA_AFR.pdf>
The wheels of our government grind slow sometimes, but they do move!=20
Recently, Dr. Freddie Ann Hoffman and Dr. Sandra Kudrak wront to the=20
USDA to find out the status of the petition. This is part of the=20
response they received:
> =85..=93The Agency has discussed the results of this petition and had =
> decided that the provisions of [Subpart F-other warm-blooded=20
> mammals] are adequate to properly ensure the humane care of=20
> ferrets, with one exception. We believe that the age at which the=20
> ferrets are transported is important. Therefore, you may be=20
> pleased to know that we are in the process of publishing a proposed=20
> rule that would require that ferrets, and other warm blooded=20
> animals, must be at least 8 weeks old prior to transportation.
>
> Also, since Subpart F consists of general performance standards for=20
> the most part, you may be happy to know that we will ensure that=20
> our inspectors are aware of the specific needs of ferrets so that=20
> they can better enforce these standards. We are developing=20
> training materials specifically for this purpose. In no small=20
> part, the comments we received are helping us put together this=20
> training.
>
> Signed
> Chester A. Gipson
> Deputy Administrator=94
> [Animal Care, APHIS, USDA]
What does this mean? Well, we won't have ferret specific regulations,=20
but they ARE working on an 8-week minimum age for transport, one of=20
our key concerns. They are also working on training material so their=20
inspectors will know how the generic provisions of Subpart F should=20
be applied to ferrets.
It's not a complete success, but it IS an important victory for=20
ferrets and their owners!
Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
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