SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6369

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of January 26, 2018

Title: An act relating to certificates of veterinary inspection for animals brought into the state.

Brief Description: Concerning certificates of veterinary inspection for animals brought into the state.

Sponsors: Senators Warnick and Van De Wege; by request of Department of Agriculture.

Committee Activity: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: 1/25/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

Removes the exemption from obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection for animals that will be delivered to a feed lot for slaughter.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)

Background: The Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is authorized to adopt rules that prevent the introduction of spreading of infectious diseases into the state. This includes the authority to adopt rules regarding the inspection and testing of all animals in the state or being imported into the state. The WSDA may charge a time and mileage fee for livestock inspections and investigations of $85 per hour, plus mileage. The WSDA has the authority to raise this fee by rule.

It is unlawful for a person to bring livestock into Washington without first obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection verifying that the animals meet Washington's health requirements. This requirement does not apply to animals that will be delivered to a feed lot, slaughter plant, or livestock market within 12 hours of importation.

Summary of Bill: The exemption from obtaining a certificate of veterinary inspection for animals that will be delivered to a feed lot for slaughter or to an approved, inspected feed lot for slaughter is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is good practice to be inspecting the animals that are coming in for slaughter. All cattle coming into Washington state are required to have a certificate of veterinary inspection. Currently there is an exemption for cattle coming into the state that go to a restricted feed lot and then go directly to slaughter. In order to improve animal disease traceability, the USDA went through rulemaking to remove this exemption in 2013. This bill aligns state law with federal rule. With USDA's implementation of the federal animal disease traceability rule, this exemption was identified as one of the areas prohibiting Washington state from achieving the traceability standards that the federal government has set out. This bill removes the exemption that only applies to restricted feed lots and would require those animals entering the state to have a certificate of veterinary inspection. This bill does not change the entry requirements and only requires that those animals have a certificate of veterinary inspection which ensures that the state receives the information that would identify where the animals came from and where they are going so that there is a way to track them for animal disease traceability.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Judy Warnick, Prime Sponsor; Jack Field, Washington Cattle Feeders Association; Hannah Street, WSDA; Jodi Jones, WSDA.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.