Editorial – US Agricultural Appropriations Bill, FY 2008

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I don't claim to understand the US government, but I do know that a bill that seems quite positive may in fact have an unintended negative component. The US House of Representatives is currently working on the Agricultural Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008. According to a release sent out by AAEP, the bill contains language that would prohibit paying federal inspectors for any inspection of horses.

While the intent of this bill may have been to prevent USDA personnel from inspecting horses at processing plants in this country, it has much larger implications. As worded, this bill would also prevent US inspections at quarantine facilities for horses leaving and entering the country and would prohibit the endorsement of any necessary health certificates for travel.

Obviously, this could have major ramifications, since it is quite common for horses to travel between the US and Canada on a temporary basis with a current negative Coggins test and a USDA-endorsed 30-day health certificate for competitive events. The language in this bill would prohibit the USDA from endorsing the certificates ensuring that these animals are healthy. It will also affect the USDA's ability to oversee the federal animal quarantine laws which relate to importation, entry and export of animals. Examples of diseases that are routinely tested for in quarantine facilities are contagious equine endometritis, equine piroplasmosis, equine infectious anemia, dourine, and glanders. Routine testing and surveillance are extremely important for preventing the spread of disease by identifying infected horses and instituting appropriate quarantine procedures.

The language in this bill is extremely broad and prevents the USDA from creating, endorsing, or certifying certificates on horses. The AAEP and other organizations are urging veterinarians and professionals across the country to support removal of this language from the FY08 Agricultural Appropriations bill currently under consideration on the house floor.