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Darby Holladay (301) 734-3265

Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959

**USDA OFFICIALS TO HOLD MICROCHIP MEETING**

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold a series of informational
meetings to discuss the use of microchipping to identify animals covered
under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

The first meeting will be held in Riverdale, Md., Tuesday, March 21.
Additional meetings will be held in the following locations: Boston,
Mass., March 29; Baton Rouge, La., April 4; Springfield, Mo., April 18;
Centennial, Colo., April 25 and San Diego, Calif., May 10.

The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss criteria established
by the International Standards Organization, which specifies technology
for unencrypted chips. Use of this technology allows access to improved
contact information during scanning and is consistent with requirements
in other countries. APHIS will review all of the information collected
at these informational meetings and through the public comment period
and determine what if any action can be taken.

Under the AWA, APHIS has the authority to regulate most warmblooded
animals being used for exhibition, research and the wholesale pet trade,
as well as the transportation of these animals in commerce. APHIS
currently requires individual identification for dogs and cats used for
research or wholesale trade. Animals are currently identified by tags,
tattoos or collars. Microchipping is also allowed, but must be approved
in advance.

The public meetings will be held at the following addresses:

-   USDA Center at Riverside, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, Md., \$2.25 is
    required for parking;

-   The Harvard Club, 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass., parking is
    \$8.00 per hour;

-   USDA, 5825 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La.;

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-   University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 333. S. John Q.
    Hammons Parkway, Springfield, Mo.;

-   South Denver Chamber of Commerce, 6840 South University Boulevard,
    Centennial Colo.;

-   Homewood Suites Hilton, 11025 Vista Sorrento Parkway, San Diego,
    Calif.

Agenda information is available at
[www.aphis.usda.gov/ac](http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac).

Notice of the series of meeting was published in the March 10 *Federal
Register*.

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Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Sept. 6.
Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery
comments to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0012 , Regulatory Analysis and
Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the
Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at
http://www.regulations.gov and, in the "Search for Open Regulation" box,
select "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service" from the agency
drop-down menu, then click on "Submit." In the Docket ID column, select
APHIS-2006-0012 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting
and related materials available electronically.

Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also be
reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence
Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading
room, please call (202) 690-2817.

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