0579-AE70 202404 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0579 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS 0500 Department of Agriculture USDA Revision to Horse Protection Act Regulations

Current Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations require Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs) to be licensed directly through Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs). DQPs conduct inspections of horses at HIO-affiliated shows, sales, auctions, and exhibitions to determine compliance with the HPA. We are amending the Horse Protection regulations by eliminating the role of HIOs and assigning inspection authority solely to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Medical Officers and other third parties authorized and trained by APHIS. This final rule also makes other changes to the regulations in accordance with the provisions of the HPA.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Completed Actions No No 9 CFR 11 15 U.S.C. 1823 No NPRM 08/21/2023 88 FR 56924 NPRM Comment Period End 10/23/2023 Final Rule 05/08/2024 89 FR 39194 Final Rule; Correction 06/05/2024 89 FR 48131 Final Action Effective 02/01/2025 Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov. YES Businesses None No Yes No Aaron Rhyner Dr. DVM, Assistant Director, Animal Care 0579 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service APHIS 970 494-7484 horseprotection@usda.gov 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Mailstop 3W11, Fort Collins CO 80526-8117