USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule that would amend APHIS’ Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations. APHIS published the proposed rule on July 26, 2016.  At the request of interested Stakeholders, APHIS is extending the comment period 30 days until October 26, 2016.

This proposed rule would make two significant changes: 

APHIS would assume responsibility for training, screening and licensing horse inspectors.  The new cadre of inspectors would be veterinarians and veterinary technicians who would be required to follow APHIS rules and standards of conduct.  

APHIS would prohibit the use of all action devices, pads, and foreign substances at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.  This would align the HPA regulations with existing equestrian standards set forth by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Interested parties may comment or view the public comments on this rule at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0009.  Official notice of this extension will be posted in the Federal Register in the coming days.  APHIS will carefully review and consider all comments received before the close of the extended comment period.