The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“Ag”) regulates the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of certain marine mammals under the Animal Welfare Act. The present standards for these animals have been in effect since 1979 and amended in 1984. Ag is conducting a rulemaking that addresses marine mammal standards on which consensus was not reached during negotiated rulemaking conducted between September 1995 and July 1966. These proposed rulers are intended to ensure that the minimum standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity are based on current general, industry, and scientific knowledge and experience. Click here to access OMB’s website for these proposed rules.