HCS HB 478 -- NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

SPONSOR:  Quinn, 7 (Dethrow)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute prohibits the Department of Agriculture from
participating in any intrusive animal identification program that
may be required under the National Animal Identification System
administered by the United States Department of Agriculture
without specific authorization from the General Assembly.

The department is allowed to participate in any voluntary or
private animal identification program.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that mandatory premises and animal
identification requirements add costs that have a
disproportionately adverse effect on small animal operations.  A
mandatory program will force many Missouri producers out of
production and is an intrusion on their privacy rights.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Dethrow; Ron Calxone,
Missouri First; Ray Cunio, Citizens for Private Property Rights;
Doreen Hannes; Ronny Margason; Bob Parker, Texas County Farm
Bureau Board; and Russell Wood, Ozark Property Rights Congress.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that premises
registration is necessary to control diseases in animals.  Animal
identification aids producers in receiving additional profits
from specialty and foreign markets.  Many foreign and domestic
markets include animal identification requirements for the
transport and sale of animals.  Missouri Farm Bureau supports
voluntary identification in its member-derived statement policy.

Testifying on the bill were Department of Agriculture; and
Missouri Farm Bureau.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am