Testimony of Larry A. Schuler, DVM
State Veterinarian and
Executive Officer of the State Board of Animal Health
Senate Bill 2198
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 24, 2003

Chairman Flakoll and Committee members, my name is Larry Schuler. I am the state veterinarian and executive officer of the State Board of Animal Health. I am here to testify in favor of SB 2198 which deals with modifying the importation requirements for bison, modifying the definition of farmed elk and clarifying the penalty section of the farmed elk statute.

Section 1 would allow bison to move directly from a producer's premises to a
licensed auction market or inspected slaughter facility without a certificate of
veterinary inspection. Bison and cattle are considered together in both the
brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication programs. Therefore, a state's free
status for cattle is also the result of a free status in bison. This is an effort to
recognize the work that the bison industry has done to eradicate disease in that
species. In addition, there is a veterinarian present at licensed auction markets
to inspect the animals for other diseases before they are sold and inspectors at
slaughter facilities inspect the bison before they are slaughtered.

Section 2 modifies the definition of farmed elk in the statute. Under the present
statute if someone is keeping an elk as a pet and does not sell any elk or elk
products they would not fit the definition of a "farmed elk". Therefore, we are
asking to expand the definition of farmed elk to include all farmed elk "maintained
for any purpose."

Section 3 is an effort to bring the penalty section of the farmed elk statute to the
same level as the other domestic animals. The original farmed elk statute would
allow a penalty of up to $5000. The statute that applies to other domestic animals allows a penalty of up to $5000 per violation. The goal of this section is
to make the penalty section of the elk statute equal to the penalty section of other
domestic animals. We support the amendments to the original bill that are being
proposed.

Senator Flakoll and committee members I urge a do pass on SB 2198 with the proposed amendments. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.