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[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 48938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22940]

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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 48938]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 1 and 2

[Docket No. APHIS-2017-0062]
RIN 0579-AE35

Animal Welfare; Procedures for Applying for Licenses and Renewals

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: We are extending the comment period for our advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking regarding potential revisions to the licensing 
requirements under our Animal Welfare Act regulations. This action will 
allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit 
comments.

DATES: The comment period for the advanced notice of proposed 
rulemaking published on August 24, 2017 (82 FR 40077), is extended. We 
will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 2, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-0062.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2017-0062, 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 http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2017-
0062 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. Kay Carter-Corker, Director, 
National Policy Staff, Animal Care, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 
84, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 851-3748.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 24, 2017, we published in the 
Federal Register (82 FR 40077-40078, Docket No. APHIS-2017-0062) an 
advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on potential revisions to 
the licensing requirements under our Animal Welfare Act regulations. 
The revisions under consideration would promote compliance with the 
Act, reduce licensing fees, and strengthen existing safeguards that 
prevent any individual whose license has been suspended or revoked, or 
who has a history of noncompliance, from obtaining a license or working 
with regulated animals.
    Comments on the ANPR were required to be received on or before 
October 23, 2017. We are extending the comment period on Docket No. 
APHIS-2017-0062 for an additional 10 days. This action will allow 
interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.

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

    Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of October 2017.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22940 Filed 10-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
```