|
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 7:19
PM
Subject:
News
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966
Austin, Texas 78711 (800) 550-8242 FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman,
DVM Executive Director
For info, contact Carla
Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
For
immediate release
Texas Animal Health Commission Says
Proposed Premises
Registration Regulations "On Hold" Till 2007;
Voluntary Registration
Continues
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
will not address proposed regulations for premises registration at the
upcoming May 4 TAHC commission meeting in Austin. Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas'
state veterinarian and TAHC executive director, said the proposed premises
registration regulations have been placed on "hold," and will not be
considered by commissioners until the winter or spring of 2007.
Dr. Hillman said the TAHC will continue to promote voluntary, free
registration of sites (premises) where livestock and fowl are held, handled or
managed. As of April 4, more than 10,000 premises (*see note below, Ed.) have been registered in
Texas; more than 213,000 have been registered nationally. Premises
registration is the foundation of the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS), which, when fully implemented, would enable animal health officials to
trace the movement of diseased or exposed livestock or poultry within 48
hours.
Information and agendas for Commission meetings will be
posted on the TAHC web site, filed in the Texas Register and announced through
news releases. All TAHC commission meetings are open to the public. The TAHC's
Austin headquarters may be reached at 1-800-550-8242, and the agency's web
site can be accessed at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us
.
Information sheets about premises registration,
NAIS booklets, or presentations about premises registration may be requested
by contacting the nearest TAHC area office, or by calling the TAHCs
headquarters and asking for Kenny Edgar, identification coordinator, or Carla
Everett, public information officer.
--- end press release --- related info follows ---
Ms. Everett also noted that Texas has a conservative estimate of about 200,000 premises.
The main reason we are delaying action on the regulations is that the USDA has
slowed their progress of the implementation, calling it voluntary for now.
So, to coincide, we're keeping ours voluntary--and free--for now, too.
|
