ANIMAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
12-Resolution passed in 2012
11-Resolution passed in 2011
10-Resolution passed in 2010
DISEASE ERADICATION - 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has implied there is a lack of federal funding to continue the national tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis eradication program that has been successful for several decades; and
WHEREAS, the continued prevalence of TB in the United States in both domestic livestock and wildlife poses a significant public health and animal health risk.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA requests that USDA-APHIS continue to fund an eradication and indemnification program for TB and brucellosis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that industry and state animal health officials fully participate in the structure of any new program or changes to the current program and that any program changes allow states to retain the authority to implement testing requirements to protect their livestock and wildlife populations.
DISEASE SURVEILLANCE - 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, an awareness, surveillance and responsive communication program is essential as a first-line of defense for all foreign animal diseases and brucellosis and tuberculosis.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA strongly urges that animal disease surveillance and responsiveness should receive the highest priority by both federal and state animal health agencies and personnel. Emergency procedures for assuring maximum cooperation between federal and state agencies should be clearly and expeditiously established.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA urges increased emphasis by the organizers of programs for continuing education of veterinarians, producers, agribusiness personnel and law enforcement agencies by including coverage of foreign animal diseases and the potential threat to domestic livestock.
JOHNE’S DISEASE PROGRAM - 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, the Board of Animal Health has implemented a program to assist producers in testing and identifying Johne’s-positive cattle in their herds; and
WHEREAS, funds are made available to producers who implement the Johne’s program; and
WHEREAS, under existing guidelines, there is a requirement that animals that test positive to an antigen-detection test when they are sold go directly to slaughter with no chance of re-entering another producer’s herd.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA’s continued support of the Johne’s program be contingent on safeguards being put into place that give assurance that producers receiving government funds for this program are responsible for these animals going to slaughter.
PROFESSIONAL RODEO COWBOYS ASSOCIATION – 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, rodeo has its roots in the ranching industry; and
WHEREAS, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association by-laws require the use of imported M-branded cattle for certain timed events; and
WHEREAS, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is a leader in the sport of rodeo and other rodeo organizations are likely to follow its lead.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA opposes the mandated exclusive use of M-branded cattle in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and other rodeo sport organization events and strongly suggests that the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, in a show of support for the U.S. ranching industry, modify its bylaws to remove the M-branded requirements for cattle used in certain timed events.
WINTER GRAZING - 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, the NDSA supports humane and practical handling of livestock; and
WHEREAS, many citizens in North Dakota are misinformed of the practice of winter grazing of cattle and horses.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NDSA works with the Agricultural Research Services facility in Mandan, North Dakota State University Extension Service, North Dakota State University Animal Science Department, North Dakota law enforcement agencies, North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association and North Dakota Board of Animal Health to educate ag media, mainstream media and the public that winter grazing of cattle and horses, when done properly, is a time-proven, humane, economical and practical management choice.
vet school funding - 12 (AH)
WHEREAS, the current shortage of large-animal veterinarians in rural areas is a problem; and
WHEREAS, North Dakota has entered into an agreement with Kansas State University for an additional five to ten students annually; and
WHEREAS, this increase in positions will enhance our opportunity to send North Dakota students to vet school, which would increase chances of them returning to practice in North Dakota; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports additional funding to pursue these contracts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA pursues legislation to maintain agreements with Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota and colleges of veterinary medicine at Western-Interstate-Commission-for-Higher-Education – participating universities similar to the agreement with Kansas State University regarding veterinary student seats.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA pursues legislation to ensure that at least five students per year are funded at Kansas State University, as well as any other positions and agreements available with other veterinary schools.
AVAILABILITY OF FOOD-ANIMAL VETERINARIAN GRADUATES - 11 (AH)
WHEREAS, there is a significant shortfall in the number of food-animal veterinarian graduates to service the livestock production areas of the United States; and
WHEREAS, livestock producers rely on their local veterinarians for guidance to ensure food product safety, herd management and disease control; and
WHEREAS, animal welfare issues and the increasing public scrutiny of humane care and management of livestock are closely related to emergency veterinary attention; and
WHEREAS, the physical nature of the work, as well as accrued indebtedness, tends to divert many capable graduate veterinarians away from food-animal practice; and
WHEREAS, the increased complexity of pharmaceutical and biological product use requires veterinarian supervision; and
WHEREAS, veterinarian practice can involve long travel distances and extended absence from their clinic in rural areas, a demand for multi-veterinarian-staffed clinics is created.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA encourages colleges of veterinary medicine to vigorously pursue recruiting and training students with the aptitude and desire to fill the increasing void of food-animal veterinarians.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that even though the NDSA recognizes the importance of scholastic excellence, it also recommends an attempt be made to identify a process of recruitment that selects individuals with skills and physical capabilities in addition to academics.
CATTLEMEN'S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE - 11 (AH)
WHEREAS, cattlemen believe in humane treatment of livestock and good stewardship of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, this message needs to be communicated to the public; and
WHEREAS, the public is entitled to credible statements from actual producers regarding the practices, intents and purposes of livestock production.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA endorses the principles of good animal husbandry, responsible environmental stewardship and food safety and continues to communicate this on an ongoing basis.
PROFESSIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM - 11 (AH)
WHEREAS, the Professional Student Exchange Program is dependent on the Board of Higher Education for funding; and
WHEREAS, there continues to be more students applying for veterinary school loans with less funding available.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the Professional Student Exchange program and encourages the Board of Higher Education to continue its support with adequate funding or consider an alternate program of equal benefit.
TRICHOMONIASIS - 11 (AH)
WHEREAS, trichomoniasis is known to cause very serious disease problems; and
WHEREAS, the incidence of this disease appears to be increasing; and
WHEREAS, infecting a cowherd with an infected bull could be devastating to an operation.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA informs the state's cattle industry of the dangers of leasing and buying non-virgin, untested bulls for breeding and open cows for breeding.
VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY - 11 (AH)
WHEREAS, animal disease surveillance diagnosis are important parts of good management and herd health for North Dakota beef cattle producers, and
WHEREAS, the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory plays a critical role in disease surveillance and diagnosis for North Dakota beef cattle producers.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports efforts to develop a plan to support increased funding to develop new programs, support staff and technology needs and to solicit the support of allied stakeholders to support future needs of the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
TERRORISM - 10 (AH)
WHEREAS, intentional destructive elements have tremendous and terminal impacts on life and business; and
WHEREAS, those who are involved in such acts need to be held accountable.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that any malicious acts of biological, chemical, nuclear and/or any other comparable act against agriculture be considered felony acts, and laws be enacted on both state and federal levels to reflect the seriousness of such acts and provide for the appropriate punishment.
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - 10 (AH)
WHEREAS, veterinary technicians provide important and vital animal care for North Dakota livestock producers; and
WHEREAS, the Veterinary Technology program at North Dakota State University has had and continues to have record enrollment.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NDSA support increased funding for facilities, equipment and operation of this program.