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Maryland
Horse Council
Horse
Council Wins Passage of Both of Our Bills in MD General Assembly -
"Feed Fund" and "Horses as Agriculture" on Their Way
to the Governor for Signatures
(posted April 20, 2009)
In a brilliant show of grass roots political
organizing mixed with a little back room political maneuvering you, the
members of the Maryland Horse Council, put our industry on the map in this
legislative session. Naysayers said that neither of these bills could
pass, but they went through with almost no opposition. In fact, the feed
fund passed with an amendment that prevents our money from ever going into
the state's general fund. It has to be used to promote the horse industry!
Now the Maryland Horse Industry Board will have more funds to promote
horses in Maryland. What should they do? Think about that and come to our
next meeting ready to share your ideas! (May 19th – Prince George’s
Equestrian Center; 6:00 pm)
Oh, and please contact your representatives and thank them for supporting
HB973 and HB955. Pretty much all of them voted yes.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OF US!
(posted March 27, 2009)
Maryland Horse Council's HB 973, The Feed Fund Bill
has passed on the floor of the MD House of Delegates on an overwhelming
vote of 133 to 2
Maryland Horse Council's HB 955, Horses as Agriculture Bill
has passed on the floor of the MD House of Delegates
In case you've been snoozing lately, here's what the bills do...
HB 955 will finally clearly state that
things such as boarding, training, lessons, and competitions are
agricultural under the law. It will ensure that we qualify for
agricultural programs, and it will help us with our local county zoning
officials.
HB 973 will save the Maryland Horse Industry Board from
becoming inconsequential. The MHIB grant program was shut down this year
due to lack of funds because the 5 cent per bag feed fund generated only
about a third of what was expected in revenue. Horse people were polled
and responded that we are willing to contribute the 15 cents per bag that
will provide the funds that MHIB needs to support and promote the horse
industry. This will provide grants to local clubs, competitions, research,
and the important census of horses that proves to the politicians just how
important horses are to the Maryland economy. Any horse owner who chooses
not to pay into the feed fund is free to submit receipts to MHIB for a
full refund of the assessment with no questions asked.
Now we must WORK THE SENATE!!!!
Both of these bills will go to the Senate Education, Health, and
Environmental Affairs Committee. The members of that committee and their
e-mail addresses are provided below. If you live, work or keep your horses
in any of their districts please call or e-mail them with a request that
they support these two bills. Feel free to cut and paste the brief bill
descriptions in this e-mail. Anything you can say about the importance of
the horse industry in their districts is helpful.
If you are unsure of who your state senator is go to mdelect.net/electedofficials
and type in your address. A map will appear with your district, and if you
scroll down on the screen at the left your state senator's name will
appear. Click on it and you'll have more information about him or her than
you ever wanted, including an e-mail address.
We need you to contact all senators, but the
following are critical. Their committee will review the bills before they
go to the Senate floor for a vote.
JOAN CARTER CONWAY (Chair)
Democrat, District 43, Baltimore
City
joan.carter.conway@senate.state.md.us
ROY P. DYSON (Vice-Chair)
Democrat, District 29, Calvert,
Charles
& St.
Mary's Counties
roy.dyson@senate.state.md.us
RICHARD F. COLBURN
Republican, District 37, Caroline,
Dorchester,
Talbot
& Wicomico
Counties
richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us
JANET GREENIP
Republican, District 33, Anne
Arundel County
janet.greenip@senate.state.md.us
ANDREW P. HARRIS
Republican, District 7, Baltimore
County & Harford
County
andrew.harris@senate.state.md.us
JAMES CAREW ROSAPEPE
Democrat, District 21, Prince
George's County & Anne
Arundel County
jim.rosapepe@senate.state.md.us
MICHAEL G. (MIKE) LENETT
Democrat, District 19, Montgomery
County
mike.lenett@senate.state.md.us
DAVID C. HARRINGTON
Democrat, District 47, Prince George's County
david.harrington@senate.state.md.us
PAUL G. PINSKY
Democrat, District 22, Prince
George's County
paul.pinsky@senate.state.md.us
For additional information, contact MHC Vice President Jane Seigler at jane@reddemeade.com.
###
Horse Community Wins Reversal of New Paperwork
Requirements at Horse Shows
March 15, 2009
You may have heard recently that the MD Department of Agriculture would be
requiring that all horse competition organizers would be collecting a new
self-certification form from every competitor at every show in Maryland
stating that their horse is free of disease. The Animal Health section of
MDA actually DID put this requirement on its web site. The badly worded
language also suggested that show organizers would be collecting
Interstate Health Certificates from all out of state horses at every show
or competition.
These requirements would not only have buried our over-worked show
organizers with paper and convinced many of our friends in neighboring
states to stay away from our events and shows, but they would do nothing
to prevent the spread of disease. People who would bring a sick horse to a
competition would probably still bring the horse with the certification
that they believe it is healthy.
Maryland Horse Council board members were contacted by many of you and we
turned first to Rob Burke, director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board,
the body that represents horse interests within MDA. Mr. Burke was able to
bring together the MHIB board, his MDA supervisors, and representatives of
the MDA Animal Health section for a meeting last week. MHC Secretary
Crystal Kimball attended as well. Animal Health representatives were
unable to justify the new policy, and a decision was made to override it.
The press release that follows is a reversal of the earlier regulations
that would have been so detrimental to our industry. Our horse
competitions are exempt this year, and most likely in
future years, from any self-certification program. The policy of NOT
requiring Interstate Health Certificates from owners in contiguous states
will continue. The only exception will be at
state fairs or 4H events where multiple species are present.
Participants in those shows will need to download the self certification
form and have it available for inspection.
We can all breathe a sigh of relief and be glad once again that we have a
Horse Council and a Horse Industry Board to look out for our interests.
Maybe next time the bureaucrats will consult us in advance and take our
recommendations seriously!
A copy of the MDA's press release follows.
Maryland Department of Agriculture Equine
Fair and Show Policies Announced
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 12, 2009) – Exhibitors and
organizers of horse shows and other equine competitions in Maryland need
to comply with certain state animal health regulations (COMAR 15.11.12.01
forward) in order to hold and attend equine events. The requirements
are in place to help ensure the health of animals at competitions and to
prevent the outbreak or spread of disease. This information
clarifies details posted on the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s
website at an earlier date.
Requirements for Equine Show Exhibitors:
- Coggins – Each exhibitor must have and present to
show organizers a current (within 12 months) and valid negative
Coggins (equine infectious anemia) certificate for each equine.
- Interstate CVI - Exhibitors originating from states
bordering Maryland (PA, DE, VA, WV, and to include New Jersey and the
District of Columbia) do not need an Interstate Health Certificate (CVI).
All those coming from other states must have an Interstate CVI signed
by a veterinarian prior to entering the state.
- Self-Certification of Equine Health Form – For
2009, a Self-Certification of Equine Health Form is required for each
equine entering a fair/show-type event where multiple livestock
species are present. The form must be available for inspection
if requested. Those participating in equine-only shows and
events are exempt from this requirement; however, it is good practice
to thoroughly double check the health and skin condition of the animal
before departing for the event. The form provides an easy checklist to
do this. It is available at www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/fair_show/fair_show_info.php
Exhibitors may not bring an animal having apparent or known
signs of a contagious or infectious disease to a show.
Requirements for Equine Show Organizers:
- Notice of Show – Horse show and event organizers
must provide the Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health
Office with written notice of the date, time and location of any
exhibition at least 60 days in advance of the event (50 Harry S.
Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or animalhealth@mda.state.md.us).
Exceptions are provided for events sponsored, sanctioned or
otherwise approved by an association or other umbrella organization
that holds multiple exhibitions in a calendar year or for events
funded by the Maryland Fair and Show Board and for exhibitions (COMAR
15.11.14.05). If unsure of whether this applies to a particular event,
contact MDA at 410-841-5810 for clarification.
- Rejection of Animals – Show organizers must exclude
from the exhibition premises any animal having apparent or known signs
of a contagious or infectious disease.
- Coggins – Show organizers must ascertain and be
able to show upon request that all equine at the show have a current
(within 12 months) and valid negative Coggins test. Collecting a
copy of the official report is good practice.
- Interstate CVI – It is not necessary for show
officials to collect Interstate Health Certificates (CVI).
- Self-Certification of Equine Health Form – While it
is not required for show organizers to collect these forms, exhibitors
at fair/show type events where multiple species of livestock are
present must complete them and have them available for inspection. It
may be good practice to start collecting a copy along with the Coggins
report.
All forms and requirements for participation in Maryland fairs and
shows for equine and livestock species are available on line at www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/fair_show/fair_show_info.php.
# # #
Maryland Bills
HB 60 (Cross Filed SB 119) - Maryland Horse Racing Act -
Sunset Extension and Program Evaluation
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB0060.htm
HB 129 - Vehicle Laws - Horse Riding - Helmet Requirement for Minors
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB0129.htm
HB 149 - Estates and Trusts - Trust for Care of Animal
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/HB0149.htm
SB 78 - Practice of Veterinary Medicine - Students - Immunity
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0078.htm
SB 110 - Vehicle Laws - Transporting Pets in Trucks or Trailers
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/SB0110.htm
SJ2 - The Jim McKay Maryland Million
SB90 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation
Foundation - Valuation of Terminated Easements
HB 973 Maryland Horse Industry Fund - Assessments on
Commercial Equine Feed http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb0973.htm
HB 955 Maryland Horse Industry Board - Equine Activities
http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb0955.htm
Legislative Policies and Positions
The Maryland Horse Council supports efforts by the State
of Maryland to control and reduce the deer population, including, but not
limited to sharp shooter hunts, extension of the hunting season, etc.
However, MHC does not support efforts which will further limit or
eliminate the use of parks by other user groups at least one day per
weekend during the established season.
The Maryland Horse Council supports shared use of parks
by multi-users one weekend day per week during each week of firearms
season, one weekend day per week in which a firearms ban is in effect.
The Maryland Horse Council supports efforts to ban the
use of double-decker trailers, a.k.a. opossum bellies, for the
transportation of equine.
The Maryland Horse Council supports slots at horse
racetracks.
The Maryland Horse Council supports the federal
definition of horses as livestock.
The Maryland Horse Council supports the Maryland Feed
Fund for the purpose of funding the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
The Maryland Horse Council supports AHC's recreational
trail riding efforts.
The Maryland Horse Council supports education efforts
for the care and welfare of horses, supports efforts that govern the
enforcement of current or future regulations ensuring the humane
transportation of horses for slaughter, and supports the development of an
infrastructure for end of life options for horses.
Maryland General Assembly
Please follow the link below to visit the official site
of the Maryland General Assembly. The content is not maintained by the
Maryland Horse Council.
Maryland
General Assembly
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