Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/3/10

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it will resume issuing press releases announcing the outcome of enforcement actions related to violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

"It is clear that certain repeat offenders are not taking issues of animal welfare and humane treatment seriously enough," APHIS Administrator Cindy Smith said in a news release. "In turn, APHIS will not only be moving more swiftly to take enforcement action, but we will be making information about those enforcement actions available to the public on our Web site."

Beginning in June, APHIS will issue monthly press releases summarizing cases in which the agency is charging people and businesses with AWA violations. The press releases also will provide summary information about closed enforcement cases and penalties levied.

APHIS has not issued such press releases since 2002.

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