Petition to Amend Animal Welfare Act Regulations To Prohibit Public Contact With Big Cats, Bears, and Nonhuman Primates, 47215-47217 [2013-18874]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2013 / Proposed Rules 1000 acres, there is no difference in the kind of information collected. To ensure crop insurance is available to small entities, the Federal Crop Insurance Act authorizes FCIC to waive collection of administrative fees from limited resource farmers. FCIC believes this waiver helps to ensure that small entities are given the same opportunities as large entities to manage their risks through the use of crop insurance. A Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been prepared since this regulation does not have an impact on small entities, and therefore, this regulation is exempt from the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605). Federal Assistance Program This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.450. Executive Order 12372 This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which require intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, published at 48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983. Executive Order 12988 This proposed rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 12988 on civil justice reform. The provisions of this rule will not have a retroactive effect. The provisions of this rule will preempt State and local laws to the extent such State and local laws are inconsistent herewith. With respect to any direct action taken by FCIC or action by FCIC to require the insurance provider to take specific action under the terms of the crop insurance policy, the administrative appeal provisions published at 7 CFR part 11 must be exhausted before any action against FCIC for judicial review may be brought. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Environmental Evaluation This action is not expected to have a significant economic impact on the quality of the human environment, health, or safety. Therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is needed. Background FCIC proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations (7 CFR part 457) by revising § 457.105 Extra Long Staple Cotton Crop Insurance Provisions to be effective for the 2014 and succeeding crop years. Requests from the public have been made for changes to improve the coverage offered, address program integrity issues, and simplify VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 02, 2013 Jkt 229001 program administration. The provisions will be effective for the 2014 and succeeding crop years. The proposed changes to § 457.105 are as follows: 1. Section 9—FCIC proposes to revise section 9 to make it more consistent with the language currently in the Cotton Crop Provisions (§ 457.104). The ELS Crop Provisions currently include language that is already contained in the Basic Provisions. By making the language in certain sections of the ELS Cotton Crop Provisions more consistent with the Cotton Crop Provisions, both Crop Provisions will be the same and duplicative language between the ELS Cotton Crop Provisions and the Basic Provisions can be removed. 2. Section 11—FCIC proposes to allow for a late planting period if permitted by the Special Provisions. FCIC received inquiries from cotton producers and producer groups requesting a late planting provision. A late planting provision is available for Upland cotton which is insured under the Cotton Crop Provisions, but not for ELS cotton. The cotton industry requested a late planting option be available for both Upland cotton and ELS cotton. Based on research data of producers’ planting practices and yields information from the University of California Cooperative Extension, a late planting period that extends from the April 30 final planting date to early May has minor impact to yields given historically favorable weather conditions in May. FCIC also proposes to revise section 11 to remove language that is contained in the Basic Provisions regarding late planting because it is duplicative and no longer needed. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 457 Crop insurance, Extra Long Staple Cotton, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Proposed Rule Accordingly, as set forth in the preamble, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation proposes to amend 7 CFR part 457 effective for the 2014 and succeeding crop years to read as follows: PART 457—COMMON CROP INSURANCE REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 457 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(1), 1506(o). 2. Amend § 457.105 as follows: a. Amend the introductory text by removing ‘‘2012’’ and adding ‘‘2014’’ in its place; ■ b. Revise section 9; and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 c. Revise section 11. The revisions read as follows: § 457.105 Extra long staple cotton crop insurance provisions. * * * * * 9. Duties in the Event of Loss or Damage. (a) In addition to your duties under section 14 of the Basic Provisions, in the event of damage or loss: (1) You must give us notice if you intend to replant any acreage originally planted to ELS cotton to AUP cotton; and (2) The cotton stalks must remain intact for our inspection. The stalks must not be destroyed, and required samples must not be harvested, until the earlier of our inspection or 15 days after harvest of the balance of the unit is completed and written notice of probable loss given to us. (b) Representative samples are required in accordance with section 14 of the Basic Provisions. * * * * * ■ 11. Late Planting. (a) A late planting period is applicable to ELS cotton, if allowed by the Special Provisions. (b) If the Special Provisions do not provide for a late planting period, any ELS cotton that is planted after the final planting date will not be insured unless you were prevented from planting it by the final planting date. Such acreage will be insurable, and the production guarantee and premium for the acreage will be determined in accordance with section 16 of the Basic Provisions. * * * * * ■ Signed in Washington, DC, on July 29, 2013. Michael Alston, Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. 2013–18821 Filed 8–2–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–08–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 9 CFR Parts 2 and 3 [Docket No. APHIS–2012–0107] ■ ■ ■ ■ 47215 Petition to Amend Animal Welfare Act Regulations To Prohibit Public Contact With Big Cats, Bears, and Nonhuman Primates Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1 47216 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2013 / Proposed Rules We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition requesting amendments to the Animal Welfare Act regulations and standards, including to prohibit licensees from allowing individuals, with certain exceptions, from coming into direct or physical contact with big cats, bears, or nonhuman primates of any age, to define the term ‘‘sufficient distance,’’ and to prohibit the public handling of young or immature big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates and the separation of such animals from their dams before the species-typical age of weaning absent medical necessity. We are making this petition available to the public and soliciting comments regarding the petition and any additional issues we should take into account as we consider this petition. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before October 4, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-01070001. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2012–0107, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0107 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Barbara Kohn, DVM, Senior Staff Officer, USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737–1234; (301) 851–3751. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: Background The Animal Welfare Act (AWA, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards and other requirements governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, operators of auction sales, and carriers and intermediate handlers. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 02, 2013 Jkt 229001 The Secretary has delegated the responsibility for enforcing the AWA to the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Within APHIS, the responsibility for administering the AWA has been delegated to the Deputy Administrator for Animal Care. Regulations and standards established under the AWA are contained in 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3. Part 1 contains definitions for terms used in parts 2 and 3; part 2 contains licensing and registration regulations, regulations specific to research facilities, and regulations governing veterinary care, animal identification, recordkeeping, access for inspection, confiscation of animals, and handling among other requirements; and part 3 contains specific standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of categories of animals covered under the AWA. Currently, part 3 consists of subparts A through F, which contain specific standards for dogs and cats, guinea pigs and hamsters, rabbits, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, and general standards for warmblooded animals not otherwise specified in previous subparts, respectively. Within part 2, § 2.131 generally contains provisions for licensee qualifications, training, careful handling, rest periods, attendants, climatic conditions, and public exhibition. Paragraph (b)(1) requires that all animals be handled in a manner that prevents trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort to them. Paragraph (c)(1) places conditions on the public exhibition of animals. It requires that during public exhibition, all animals must be handled with sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animal and the public so as to ensure the safety of the animals and the public. Paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) require that performing animals be given rest periods, that young or immature animals cannot be exposed to rough or excessive public handling or exhibited for periods of time that would be inconsistent with their health and well-being, and that drugs, such as tranquilizers, cannot be used to facilitate public handling of any animals. Paragraph (d) requires that animals be exhibited only for periods of time and under conditions consistent with their health and well-being, that responsible, knowledgeable, and identifiable employees or attendants be present at all times during public contact with animals, and specifically requires that dangerous animals such as PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 lions, tigers, wolves, bears, or elephants, be under the direct control and supervision of an experienced handler during public exhibition. APHIS has received a petition 1 requesting that we amend the regulations in part 2 to explicitly prohibit licensees from allowing persons, with some exceptions, from coming into direct physical contact with any big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates of any age. The petition states that the current handling regulations in 9 CFR part 2 allow licensees the opportunity to engage in animal exhibition practices via public contact venues, such as interactive sessions and photographic opportunities, and that these activities place these animals at risk of harm, threaten public safety, undermine conservation efforts, and encourage irresponsible breeding. The petitioners contend that the existing handling regulations are difficult to enforce, subjective, and inconsistently applied. The petitioners propose specific regulatory language that would, if incorporated into the regulations, amend § 2.131 to eliminate the possibility of direct physical contact with big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates by any individual, other than trained licensee employees, licensed veterinarians, and veterinary students under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian; define ‘‘sufficient distance’’ under paragraph (c)(1) of § 2.131; and prevent the separation of young or immature big cats, bears, or nonhuman primates from their dams before the species-typical age of weaning unless medically necessary. The petitioners also suggest revisions to 9 CFR part 3 to ensure that the sections containing specific standards for the handling of nonhuman primates are consistent with the regulatory changes they propose in § 2.131. We are making this petition available to the public and soliciting comments to help determine what action, if any, we should take in response to this request. The petition and any comments submitted are available for review as indicated under ADDRESSES above. We welcome all comments on the issues outlined in the petition and the supporting declarations. In addition, we invite responses to the following questions: • Are there circumstances under which public contact with young big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates 1 Petitioners include the Humane Society of the United States, World Wildlife Fund, The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Born Free USA, The Fund for Animals, Big Cat Rescue, and the Detroit Zoological Society. E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2013 / Proposed Rules may be done without risk of harm to the animals or to the public? • Should exhibitors and dealers be required to keep additional records (beyond those already required) regarding big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates? If so, what kinds of information should be required to be kept? • Should exhibitors and dealers be required to identify big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates by means of tattoos, microchips, retinal scans, or the like? We encourage the submission of scientific data, studies, or research to support your comments and position, including scientific data or research that supports any industry or professional standards that pertain to the humane treatment of big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates. We also invite data on the costs and benefits associated with any recommendations. We will consider all comments and recommendations we receive. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131–2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.7. Done in Washington, DC, this 31st day of July 2013. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Board, FDIC and OCC, (collectively, the ‘‘agencies’’) are issuing this guidance, which outlines high-level principles for implementation of section 165(i)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (‘‘DFA’’) stress tests, applicable to all bank and savings-and-loan holding companies, national banks, statemember banks, state non-member banks, Federal savings associations, and state chartered savings associations with more than $10 billion but less than $50 billion in total consolidated assets (collectively, the ‘‘$10–50 billion companies’’). The guidance discusses supervisory expectations for DFA stress test practices and offers additional details about methodologies that should be employed by these companies. It also underscores the importance of stress testing as an ongoing risk management practice that supports a company’s forward-looking assessment of its risks and better equips the company to address a range of macroeconomic and financial outcomes. DATES: Comments on this joint proposed guidance are due to the OCC and FDIC on September 25th, 2013 and to the Federal Reserve on September 30th, 2013. SUMMARY: [FR Doc. 2013–18874 Filed 8–2–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P ADDRESSES: OCC: Because paper mail in the Washington, DC area and at the OCC is subject to delay, commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if possible. Please use the title ‘‘Proposed Supervisory Guidance on Implementing Dodd-Frank Act Company-Run Stress Tests for Banking Organizations with Total Consolidated Assets of more than $10 Billion but less than $50 Billion’’ to facilitate the organization and distribution of the comments. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Email: regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. • Mail: Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, DC 20219. • Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th Street SW., Suite 3E–218, Mail Stop 9W–11, Washington, DC 20219. • Fax: (571) 465–4326. Instructions: You must include ‘‘OCC’’ as the agency name and ‘‘Docket ID OCC–2013–0013’’ in your comment. In general, OCC will enter all comments received into the docket and publish them on the Regulations.gov Web site without change, including any business or personal information that you provide such as name and address information, email addresses, or phone DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 12 CFR Part 46 [Docket No. OCC–2013–0013] FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 252 [Docket No. OP–1461] FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 12 CFR Part 325 Proposed Supervisory Guidance on Implementing Dodd-Frank Act Company-Run Stress Tests for Banking Organizations With Total Consolidated Assets of More Than $10 Billion But Less Than $50 Billion Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (‘‘Board’’ or ‘‘Federal Reserve’’); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (‘‘FDIC’’); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (‘‘OCC’’). ACTION: Proposed supervisory guidance. AGENCIES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 02, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47217 numbers. Comments received, including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. Do not enclose any information in your comment or supporting materials that you consider confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure. You may review comments and other related materials that pertain to this notice by any of the following methods: • Viewing Comments Personally: You may personally inspect and photocopy comments at the OCC, 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC. For security reasons, the OCC requires that visitors make an appointment to inspect comments. You may do so by calling (202) 649–6700. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification and to submit to security screening in order to inspect and photocopy comments. • Docket: You may also view or request available background documents and project summaries using the methods described above. Board: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. OP–1461, ‘‘Proposed Supervisory Guidance on Implementing Dodd-Frank Act Company-Run Stress Tests for Banking Organizations with Total Consolidated Assets of more than $10 Billion but less than $50 Billion,’’ by any of the following methods: • Agency Web site: https:// www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at https://www.federalreserve.gov/ generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov. Include the docket number in the subject line of the message. • Fax: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452– 3102. • Mail: Address to Robert deV. Frierson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20551. All public comments will be made available on the Board’s Web site at https://www.federalreserve.gov/ generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper in Room MP– 500 of the Board’s Martin Building (20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC E:\FR\FM\05AUP1.SGM 05AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47215-47217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18874]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 2 and 3

[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0107]


Petition to Amend Animal Welfare Act Regulations To Prohibit 
Public Contact With Big Cats, Bears, and Nonhuman Primates

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 47216]]

SUMMARY: We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service has received a petition requesting amendments to the 
Animal Welfare Act regulations and standards, including to prohibit 
licensees from allowing individuals, with certain exceptions, from 
coming into direct or physical contact with big cats, bears, or 
nonhuman primates of any age, to define the term ``sufficient 
distance,'' and to prohibit the public handling of young or immature 
big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates and the separation of such 
animals from their dams before the species-typical age of weaning 
absent medical necessity. We are making this petition available to the 
public and soliciting comments regarding the petition and any 
additional issues we should take into account as we consider this 
petition.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before 
October 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0107-0001.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2012-0107, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may 
be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-
0107 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Barbara Kohn, DVM, Senior Staff 
Officer, USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, 
MD 20737-1234; (301) 851-3751.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Animal Welfare Act (AWA, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) authorizes the 
Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards and other requirements 
governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of 
certain animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, operators 
of auction sales, and carriers and intermediate handlers. The Secretary 
has delegated the responsibility for enforcing the AWA to the 
Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS). Within APHIS, the responsibility for administering the AWA has 
been delegated to the Deputy Administrator for Animal Care. Regulations 
and standards established under the AWA are contained in 9 CFR parts 1, 
2, and 3. Part 1 contains definitions for terms used in parts 2 and 3; 
part 2 contains licensing and registration regulations, regulations 
specific to research facilities, and regulations governing veterinary 
care, animal identification, recordkeeping, access for inspection, 
confiscation of animals, and handling among other requirements; and 
part 3 contains specific standards for the humane handling, care, 
treatment, and transportation of categories of animals covered under 
the AWA. Currently, part 3 consists of subparts A through F, which 
contain specific standards for dogs and cats, guinea pigs and hamsters, 
rabbits, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, and general standards for 
warmblooded animals not otherwise specified in previous subparts, 
respectively.
    Within part 2, Sec.  2.131 generally contains provisions for 
licensee qualifications, training, careful handling, rest periods, 
attendants, climatic conditions, and public exhibition. Paragraph 
(b)(1) requires that all animals be handled in a manner that prevents 
trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort to 
them. Paragraph (c)(1) places conditions on the public exhibition of 
animals. It requires that during public exhibition, all animals must be 
handled with sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animal and 
the public so as to ensure the safety of the animals and the public. 
Paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) require that performing animals 
be given rest periods, that young or immature animals cannot be exposed 
to rough or excessive public handling or exhibited for periods of time 
that would be inconsistent with their health and well-being, and that 
drugs, such as tranquilizers, cannot be used to facilitate public 
handling of any animals. Paragraph (d) requires that animals be 
exhibited only for periods of time and under conditions consistent with 
their health and well-being, that responsible, knowledgeable, and 
identifiable employees or attendants be present at all times during 
public contact with animals, and specifically requires that dangerous 
animals such as lions, tigers, wolves, bears, or elephants, be under 
the direct control and supervision of an experienced handler during 
public exhibition.
    APHIS has received a petition \1\ requesting that we amend the 
regulations in part 2 to explicitly prohibit licensees from allowing 
persons, with some exceptions, from coming into direct physical contact 
with any big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates of any age. The 
petition states that the current handling regulations in 9 CFR part 2 
allow licensees the opportunity to engage in animal exhibition 
practices via public contact venues, such as interactive sessions and 
photographic opportunities, and that these activities place these 
animals at risk of harm, threaten public safety, undermine conservation 
efforts, and encourage irresponsible breeding. The petitioners contend 
that the existing handling regulations are difficult to enforce, 
subjective, and inconsistently applied. The petitioners propose 
specific regulatory language that would, if incorporated into the 
regulations, amend Sec.  2.131 to eliminate the possibility of direct 
physical contact with big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates by any 
individual, other than trained licensee employees, licensed 
veterinarians, and veterinary students under the supervision of a 
licensed veterinarian; define ``sufficient distance'' under paragraph 
(c)(1) of Sec.  2.131; and prevent the separation of young or immature 
big cats, bears, or nonhuman primates from their dams before the 
species-typical age of weaning unless medically necessary. The 
petitioners also suggest revisions to 9 CFR part 3 to ensure that the 
sections containing specific standards for the handling of nonhuman 
primates are consistent with the regulatory changes they propose in 
Sec.  2.131.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Petitioners include the Humane Society of the United States, 
World Wildlife Fund, The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, 
The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Born Free USA, The Fund 
for Animals, Big Cat Rescue, and the Detroit Zoological Society.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We are making this petition available to the public and soliciting 
comments to help determine what action, if any, we should take in 
response to this request. The petition and any comments submitted are 
available for review as indicated under ADDRESSES above. We welcome all 
comments on the issues outlined in the petition and the supporting 
declarations. In addition, we invite responses to the following 
questions:
     Are there circumstances under which public contact with 
young big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates

[[Page 47217]]

may be done without risk of harm to the animals or to the public?
     Should exhibitors and dealers be required to keep 
additional records (beyond those already required) regarding big cats, 
bears, and nonhuman primates? If so, what kinds of information should 
be required to be kept?
     Should exhibitors and dealers be required to identify big 
cats, bears, and nonhuman primates by means of tattoos, microchips, 
retinal scans, or the like?
    We encourage the submission of scientific data, studies, or 
research to support your comments and position, including scientific 
data or research that supports any industry or professional standards 
that pertain to the humane treatment of big cats, bears, and nonhuman 
primates. We also invite data on the costs and benefits associated with 
any recommendations. We will consider all comments and recommendations 
we receive.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.7.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 31st day of July 2013.
Kevin Shea,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18874 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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