Washington - The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a final rule amending the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations to reduce duplicative requirements and the administrative burden for research facilities while continuing to ensure humane animal care. The changes apply to registered facilities that use animals to conduct research, teaching, testing and experimentation.APHIS is taking this action in response to requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act, which directs USDA to work with the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health to complete a review of regulations and policies for the care and use of laboratory animals. Specifically, the changes include: The final rule is effective on Dec. 27, 2021 and may be viewed in today’s Federal Register.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
