Copyright WHR 2006

On March 13, 2006 USDA APHIS Animal Care will host a Horse Protection Program Listening Session from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, located at 333 South JohnQ Hammons Parkway, Springfield, MO 65806.

Registration for the Session will be held on site and will begin at 12:30 PM. This meeting will be the second of six listening sessions Animal Care is hosting in 2006, including sessions in:

February 8, 2006 Shelbyville, TN
April 19, 2006 Dallas, TX
May 17, 2006, Somerset, KY
June 12, 2006 Pomona, CA
September 11, 2006 Chattanooga, TN

The purpose of the meetings are to 1) Gather public input regarding the next Operating Plan; 2) Gather public input about the future direction of the Horse Protection Act enforcement; and 3) Share information with the public about past, present, and future activities of the Horse Protection program. USDA will first present an overview of the Horse Protection Program, followed by an open microphone session for the people to share information with USDA. A transcription service will be present to capture all comments on paper, which in turn will be posted on Animal Care's Horse Protection web page: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/hpainfo.html

Anyone interested in horses regulated by the Horse Protection Act are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts.

Questions about the Listening Session can be directed to:

Darby G. Holladay
U.S. Department of Agriculture
APHIS Legislative and  Public Affairs
Tel: (301) 734-3265

or

Dr. Todd Behre
USDA APHIS Horse Protection Coordinator
4700 River Rd. Suite 6A02-7
Riverdale, MD 20737
(301)734-5784