DEER, ELK: TB CONTAMINATION - S.B. 1282 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1282 (Substitute S-3 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator George A. McManus, Jr.

Committee: Farming, Agribusiness and Food Systems

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Animal Industry Act to establish requirements for the importation and movement of captive cervidae (deer, elk, moose, and caribou living under the husbandry of humans) by doing the following:

-- Requiring captive cervidae less than six months of age imported into the State, except those consigned to a slaughter facility, to have originated from an official tuberculosis accredited or qualified herd, or to remain at the destination on the interstate health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection until the animal received a negative test for tuberculosis (TB).

-- Requiring that captive white-tailed deer and captive elk moving from one premises to another within the State, to have originated from an official TB accredited or qualified herd or from a herd that had received an official negative TB test.

-- Requiring owners of a captive white-tailed deer or elk farm that did not possess an official TB accredited or qualified herd status to have captive cervidae, as well as cattle and goats in contact with these animals, tested for tuberculosis.

-- Requiring owners of captive cervidae ranches to have a veterinarian visually inspect the animals for evidence of TB, if the animals were removed from the herd.

The bill also would increase from $1,250 to $2,500 the maximum amount per animal that may be paid as indemnification for livestock that have been infected or exposed to disease or toxicological contamination. The increase would be applicable until January 1, 2005. An owner could furnish documentation to demonstrate that an animal's value exceeded $2,500, and the Agriculture Commission could allow up to $5,000 per animal. After January 1, 2005, indemnification would revert to the current level of 75% of the market value of the livestock with a maximum of $1,250 per animal.

MCL 287.703 et al. - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact, depending on the number and value of animals destroyed due to bovine tuberculosis.

For FY 1997-98, $250,000 in General Fund has been appropriated to indemnify producers whose livestock is destroyed due to bovine tuberculosis. To date, over $20,000 has been expended for this purpose.

Date Completed: 9-22-98 - Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

floor\sb1282 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.