Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) issued its 2021 Impact Report, which provides an overview of the agency’s activities and successes over the past year.
In addition to its work in protecting crops and forests, livestock and poultry health, safe trade, healthy wildlife populations, and safe biotech products, APHIS oversees almost 12,000 breeders, dealers, and exhibitors; research facilities; transporters, and dog importers who are subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The agency’s 2021 operational highlights include:
- Conducting 7,670 site inspections to assess the health, care, and treatment of more than 1.4 million animals; with 96% of licensees and registrants found to be in substantial compliance.
- Issuing 3,167 permits covering 15,412 dogs imported for resale into the U.S.
- Finalizing a rule requiring AWA-regulated facilities to maintain emergency contingency plans.
- Taking civil and administrative action to address alleged violations under the AWA, including opening 118 cases, issuing 58 official warnings, obtaining eight administrative orders, suspending one facility license for five years, permanently revoking two licenses, and continuing to pursue license suspension or revocation against six other entities.
The full APHIS 2021 Impact Report is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/aphis_general/2021-impact-report.pdf.
For more information:
Go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home.
Review Federal Regulatory Resources in AKC’s Regulatory Resources Center.
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.