APHIS to enforce animal protection rules

APHIS to enforce animal protection rules    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will begin enforcing animal protection rules with non-U.S. airlines, starting April 7, 2004.
   U.S. airlines already abide by the Animal Welfare Act, which requires them to provide humane and safe treatment animals during transport. Until this determination to regulate, APHIS only required voluntary compliance with the Act from non-U.S. airlines operating in the United States and territories.
   According to APHIS, there are 517 non-U.S. airlines operating in the country. The agency said it would get copies of the Animal Welfare Act regulations to these airlines by mail and through respective trade groups, such as the Animal Transportation Association, Air Transport Association, and International Air Transport Association.
   APHIS said it would take comments from the industry through Dec. 9. For more information, contact Jerry DePoyster at 301-734-7586.