Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to reorganize the oversight of animal health in Minnesota by abolishing the current Board of Animal Health and transferring its functions to the Department of Agriculture. Additionally, the bill seeks to establish an Animal Health Advisory Council to aid in these duties.

Main Provisions

• Abolishment of the Board of Animal Health: The bill proposes the elimination of the existing Board of Animal Health. All responsibilities formerly held by this Board will now be managed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

• Transfer of Duties to the Department of Agriculture: The Commissioner of Agriculture will now be tasked with maintaining and protecting the health of domestic animals in Minnesota. This includes the authority to make necessary rules to achieve this goal.

• Creation of the Animal Health Advisory Council: This new council will be established to advise the Commissioner on matters related to animal health. It includes eight members:

  • Three livestock producers from Minnesota
  • One member from a federally recognized Tribe experienced in animal husbandry
  • One epidemiologist
  • Three practicing veterinarians, including one specializing in companion animals

• Annual Reporting and Rulemaking Authority: The Commissioner of Agriculture is required to publish an annual report on or before November 1 each year about the state of animal health. The official laboratory for animal health diagnostics will be the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Significant Changes

• The bill repeals several Minnesota statutes sections related to the governance of the Board of Animal Health, effectively shifting oversight and regulatory responsibilities to a different state agency.

• The restructuring aims to streamline and potentially enhance the governance model of animal health by centralizing it under the Department of Agriculture, which may bring a more integrated approach to animal and agricultural health.

Relevant Terms

animal health, Board of Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Advisory Council, livestock producers, epidemiologist, veterinarians, animal husbandry, University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.