November 16, 2001

House Passes Agriculture Conference Report Including Rats, Mice, and Birds Language

The House Nov. 13 passed the FY 2002 agriculture appropriations conference report (H. Rept. 107-275). A provision in the bill will allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue a proposed rule on the coverage of rats, mice and birds under the Animal Welfare Act regulations. However, the bill prohibits USDA from issuing a final rule on the matter during the current fiscal year.

This provision appears to be a compromise between the House, which included a complete ban on rulemaking in its bill, and the Senate, which omitted the provision entirely [see Washington Highlights, Nov. 2]. The bill is expected to be cleared by the Senate and signed by the President.

Information: Erica Froyd, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.