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IMATA adds its voice to proposed rulemaking in the United States
May 12, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently conducted an extensive review of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations concerning the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in human care in the United States. The proposed rulemaking would amend sections in the regulations relating to variances and implementation dates, indoor facilities, outdoor facilities, space requirements, and water quality. APHIS also proposed revisions to the regulations that relate to swim-with-the-dolphin (SWTD) programs. APHIS believed these actions are necessary to ensure that the minimum standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity are based on current industry and scientific knowledge and experience.

As IMATA members are the experts in the field of marine mammal training and husbandry, the organization submitted the following suggestions to the Agency during the proposed rulemaking’s public comment period.

Click here to download and read the letter IMATA submitted to APHIS

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