Senate Farm Bill Includes Animal Research Provisions
February 15, 2002 - The Senate Feb. 13 approved by a vote of 58-40 its version
of the Farm Aid Bill (S.
1731), including two provisions related to animal research.
The bill includes provisions related to rats, mice and birds,
and puppy protection. The bill will now be sent to conference
committee to be reconciled with the House's version.
The Senate approved by voice vote Feb. 12 an amendment to
the farm aid bill sponsored by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) that
excludes rats, mice, and birds from the definition of animal
under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The FY 2002 Agriculture
Appropriations bill included language that allows the issuance
of a proposed - but not final - rule on rats, mice and birds
during the current fiscal year [see
Washington Highlights, Nov. 16]. The Helms amendment
adds statutory language to the AWA specifying that rats, mice
and birds are not subject to regulations governing the care
of research animals. The AAMC supports the exclusion rats,
mice and birds in the AWA because this change will subject
researchers to costly, duplicative, and burdensome new regulations
that do not enhance the care and treatment of laboratory animals.
The "Puppy Protection Act" (S.
1478) was approved by the Senate as an amendment in the
farm bill. Introduced by Sens. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Richard
Durbin (D-Ill.), the bill seeks to control so-called "puppy
mills" selling of dogs to the public as pets. However,
some of its provisions affect dogs being bred for research.
The version included in the farm bill contains alterations
that reduce the negative impact of the restrictions on biomedical
research.
Information:
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Government Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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