Error:

Javascript is disabled in this browser. This page requires Javascript. Modify your browser's settings to allow Javascript to execute. See your browser's documentation for specific instructions.

APHIS Guidance Documents Under Executive Order 13891

Last Modified: Aug 10, 2020

This APHIS Guidance Portal implements Executive Order (EO) 13891 of October 9, 2019, “Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents,” and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) implementing memorandum M-20-02 (PDF, 5.8 MB) of October 31, 2019.

The documents contained on this page represent all Agency guidance determined to fall within the scope of the Executive Order regarding the content of this page. As such, they are non-binding recommendations and lack the force and effect of law. The Agency will not cite, use, or rely on any such guidance document that is not contained on this page, except to establish historical facts.

If you believe a document on this page is being used with the force or effect of law, or that a guidance document within the scope of the Executive Order is not present on this page, please contact Ben Kaczmarski, Chief, APHIS Regulatory Analysis and Development staff, at Benjamin.Kaczmarski@usda.gov.

Name	Document number	Issuance date	Description
Proper Giraffe Care in Cold Weather	APHIS-GD-XXXX-0001	Not dated	This document notes that giraffes are highly susceptible to cold temperatures and that the optimal ambient temperature near a giraffe’s body is 65 degrees or higher, measured at the mid-chest level of the giraffe.
Guidelines for Surveillance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Wildlife	APHIS-GD-2011-0001	June 2011	This manual includes recommendations for conducting TB surveillance in wildlife in areas where bovine TB has been detected in a dairy, beef, or captive cervid herds. The main objective of the surveillance strategies described is to determine whether bovine TB is present in wildlife or on surrounding infected premises.
Center for Veterinary Biologics Notice No. 12-09	APHIS-GD-2012-0001	May 2, 2012	Provides guidance regarding the licensing process for products designed primarily for use as Preharvest Food Safety Interventions.
APHIS Recommendation for Best Management Practices for Authorized Field Trials of Regulated Herbicide-Resistant Crops	APHIS-GD-2014-0001	October 15, 2014	This document provides recommendations for the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) to delay or mitigate evolution of herbicide resistance, with authorizations for regulated releases of genetically engineered crops.
Best Practices for Brucella Canis Prevention and Control in Dog Breeding Facilities	APHIS-GD-2015-0001	October 2015	This 16-page booklet contains a compilation of best practices for the management of brucellosis in dog breeding kennels to serve as a guide for veterinarians and their clients and help bring consistency and clarity to the diagnosis, prevention and management of brucellosis infections in kennels.
Biotechnology Quality Management Support (BQMS) Modules	APHIS-GD-2017-0001	January 18, 2017	This document provides developers of GE organisms/regulated entities with a process for developing a quality management system to enhance compliance with APHIS regulations found at 7 CFR 340.
Monitoring for Periodontal Disease (PD) in Dogs	APHIS-GD-2018-0001	June 2018	This document provides advice on how to monitor a dog's teeth and gums for periodontal disease.
Preventive Care for Periodontal Disease (PD) in Dogs	APHIS-GD-2018-0002	June 2018	This document provides advice on preventive care options for periodontal disease in dogs.
Coat Care: Preventing Matted Hair	APHIS-GD-2018-0003	June 2018	This document provides advice on why preventing matted hair in dogs is important, where mats are most likely to found, and how to prevent them.
Bear Nutrition and Winter Lethargy	APHIS-GD-2018-0004	October 2018	This document provides advice on seasonal nutrition in bears and the importance of foraging.
Bear Husbandry and Habitat	APHIS-GD-2018-0005	October 2018	This document provides advice on appropriate habitats for bears, including (but not limited to) opportunities to dig, climb, swim, and den.
Bear Veterinary Care	APHIS-GD-2018-0006	October 2018	This document provides advice on veterinary care for bears, including (but not limited to) advice regarding common issues such as skin disease, broken teeth, arthritis, and intestinal parasites.
Environmental Enrichment for Bears	APHIS-GD-2018-0007	October 2018	This document provides advice on why bears need enrichment and suggestions for providing it.
Options for Meeting Social Needs of Primates	APHIS-GD-2018-0008	October 2018	This document provides advice on how to meet the social needs of primates.
Primates: Natural Social Groupings and Compatibility	APHIS-GD-2018-0009	October 2018	This document provides advice on the natural social groupings for various species of primates. Understanding the natural social groupings will improve a facility's success in setting up social housing groups that are compatible.
Supporting Natural Behaviors in Primates	APHIS-GD-2018-0010	October 2018	This document provides advice on providing environmental enrichment that is successful because it supports the natural behaviors of a primate species.
Primates: Special Needs of Infants and Young Juveniles	APHIS-GD-2018-0011	October 2018	This document provides advice on meeting the needs of infant and juvenile primates.
Special Needs of Primates Showing Signs of Psychological Distress	APHIS-GD-2018-0012	October 2018	This document provides advice on recognizing the signs of psychological distress in primates and the factors that may help to relieve that distress.
Special Needs of Primates with Research Restrictions	APHIS-GD-2018-0013	October 2018	This document provides advice on meeting the needs of primates when flexibility to meet those needs is restricted by the requirements of a research protocol.
Special Needs of Primates Unable To See or Hear Other Primates	APHIS-GD-2018-0014	October 2018	This document provides advice on meeting the social needs of primates who cannot see or hear other primates.
Primates: Special Needs of Great Apes	APHIS-GD-2018-0015	October 2018	This document provides advice on the natural behaviors to consider when addressing the needs of great apes.
Semi-Aquatic Animals	APHIS-GD-2018-0016	October 2018	This document provides advice on providing appropriate aquatic and dry areas in enclosures where semi-aquatic animals are being held.
Mammals That Fly or Glide	APHIS-GD-2019-0017	October 2018	This document provides advice on providing space and facilities to allow flying, gliding, roosting, and climbing for mammals that fly or glide.
Feeding Nondomestic Cats	APHIS-GD-2019-0001	April 2019	This document provides advice on the factors to be considered in providing a healthy diet for nondomestic cats.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Nondomestic Cats	APHIS-GD-2019-0002	April 2019	This document provides advice on diagnosing and preventing metabolic bone disease (weak bones) in nondomestic cats.
Tips and Calculations: Adding Calcium to Boneless Meat Diets for Nondomestic Cats	APHIS-GD-2019-0003	April 2019	This document provides advice on adding different types of calcium to boneless meat diets for nondomestic cats, and it suggests consulting with a knowledgeable veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to ensure such supplementation is optimally provided.
Enrichment Devices for Primates	APHIS-GD-2019-0004	June 2019	This document provides advice on the provision of enrichment devices that are interesting for primates.
Maternal Stress and Puppy Development	APHIS-GD-2019-0005	June 2019	This document provides advice on why and how to prevent stress in pregnant dogs.
Early Rearing Environment	APHIS-GD-2019-0006	June 2019	This document provides advice on a puppy's first 3 weeks of life, why a supportive environment is important for normal puppy development, and how to provide such an environment.
Socialization	APHIS-GD-2019-0007	June 2019	This document provides advice on why socialization is important for dogs, when it should occur, and how to accomplish it.
Identifying Healthy and Unhealthy Skin in Dogs	APHIS-GD-2019-0008	June 2019	This document provides advice on how to identify healthy and unhealthy skin in dogs.
Common Skin Disorders in Dogs	APHIS-GD-2019-0009	June 2019	This document provides advice on recognizing common skin disorders in dogs.
Keeping Animals Safe During Emergencies	APHIS-GD-2019-0010	August 2019	This document provides advice on how to make plans to keep animals safe during emergencies.
Inspection Guidelines for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)	APHIS-GD-2019-0011	November 14, 2019	This document provides inspection guidelines for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).
Guidance for Requesting Confirmation of Exemption from Regulation under 7 CFR part 304	APHIS-GD-2020-0001	June 18, 2020	This document provides guidance on preparing requests for confirmation of exemption from the regulations in 7 CFR part 340.
Guidance for Claiming Confidential Business Information In Submission	APHIS-GD-2020-0002	June 18, 2020	This document provides the expected formatting and marking procedures for indicating the existence or non-existence of CBI in documents sent to APHIS-BRS.

APHIS Guidance Documents Under Executive Order 13891

Additional Information