APHIS To Reduce Backlog And Streamline Enforcement
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Copyright 2012
By Jeffrey Howard
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) held an industry stakeholder call to announce improvements to their investigation and enforcement streamlining efforts. APHIS pointed out on the call conducted by Dr. Kay Carter-Corker that over 2,000 open investigations are on the books of APHIS as of the end of 2011. Dr. Chester Gipson was unable to participate on the call due to illness.
Dr. Carter-Corker pointed to two areas of focus, first was to reduce the number of cases in backlog and secondly to reduce the time it takes to investigate. APHIS created a task force to address the backlog and is identifying the most critical cases to pursue. Dr. Carter-Corker pointed out that factors such as the cases significance to overall animal health, APHIS ability to successfully complete the investigation, the seriousness of the violation, age of the violation and whether the violator is a previous offender would be taken into account. For those they choose not to pursue letters of warning will be sent and the investigations will be closed.
On average APHIS requires 600 days to conduct an investigation and come to a resolution. If the case is then turned over the Office of Inspector General they can take much longer than that. The goal of APHIS is to reduce the average time to 355 days. In order to do so Dr. Carter-Corker pointed to creating templates for communication, pursuing cases with the most and best evidence and taking a more national approach to the investigations.
In closing Dr. Carter-Corker informed the participants that APHIS mission was to target those that pose the greatest risk to animal welfare. During questions, APHIS pointed out that approximately 800 of the 2,000 open cases dealt with animal welfare and 1/3rd of those dealt with the Tennessee Walking Horses and related breeds.
More Stories |
-
“Yo … It don’t get much better” were words echoed by many friends and fans familiar with Dee Broom Yoder’s unbelievable Celebration. Really, there’s no other way to describe what she experienced at the 81st annual version of the event that will forever be remembered as the best one yet for Yoder...
Read More
-
The Celebration is always filled with storylines and standout moments that are Celebrated not only during the show, but for the days, weeks, months and years that follow. One of those moments happened in 2019 and it involved teamwork like no other that was rewarded with success that will forever remain deeply planted in two of the walking horse industry’s most well-loved ladies...
Read More
-
The SHOW HIO was the affiliating Horse Industry Organization for the 81st Annual Celebration. The SHOW HIO conducted inspections across all 15 sessions of the show with the Veterinary Medical Officers from the United States Department of Agriculture present on Friday and Saturday of both weekends...
Read More
-
Sometimes there’s a story behind a name, or a story in general, that’s so special and unique you can’t help but take notice, and when you do take notice, you’re glad you did because it’s the type of story that will have its place in your memory forever...
Read More
-
The Celebration is pleased to announce the host hotel for this years’ Tunica Fall Classic October 31st through November 2nd will be the Gold Strike Casino and Resort. This MGM property is the premier destination facility in Tunica.
Read More
-
The SHOW HIO has changed the shoeing regulations in the Park Performance division to a maximum of 1 ¼” instead of the current 1” maximum in the current rulebook. The change will be effective immediately and will be reflected in the new SHOW HIO rulebook when it is released...
Read More
-
Having celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2019, the Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) seeks to move the progress of the foundation forward by adding a full-time Director of Advancement to its organization.
Read More
-
James Donald Hendrick, 79, of Bowling Green went peacefully to meet his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at his residence...
Read More
-
Decorative round tables with center pieces, that seat 6 are available at the WHTA Fall Classic Show in White Pine, Tennessee this weekend. There are only 8 avaliable, so call now to reserve yours. The cost for both nights is $100. Food will not be provided. Call 931-684-5866 to place your reservation.
Read More
-
If there’s one message that’s crystal clear about this year’s winner of the 2019 World Grand Championship walking horse title it’s this: “He’s no new kid on the block.” Nothing could be more true and it’s a message that trainer Rodney Dick stands proudly behind when talking about I’m Mayhem, the horse he finally got to the finish line with for his very first win in the Big Stake....
Read More
|