Page 38 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

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The concept of animal "rights" and the expenditure of public funds to promote the concept of animal rights. We oppose any attempt, legal or otherwise, that would grant “legal standing” to any animals. Further regulatory and legislative actions that would restrict the farmer's/owner’s ability to produce at an economically feasible level.
The utilization of ballot initiatives as a way to control modern livestock production and management practices. 
#4 ANIMAL HEALTH
1 As the world becomes more open to international
2 trade, the potential for transmission of communicable
3 diseases among the agricultural community increases.
4 The uncontrolled spread of diseases through intentional
5 or unintentional means can result in economic
6 devastation to the entire agricultural system.
7 It is imperative we protect the health of the livestock,
8 dairy, equine, poultry and aquaculture operations in
9 Michigan and across the United States. A healthy
10 animal population is critical to our overall agricultural
11 economy.
Delegate Session: Wednesday – Page 9
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We support:
Changes to the Animal Industry Act that allow for
the State Veterinarian to declare an Emergency Stop Animal Movement Order for a maximum of 72 hours. Any such order that lasts more than, or is extended beyond, 72 hours would need the approval of the impacted animal industries and Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.
A board of animal health be appointed and convened to coordinate activities, programs, and regulations to expedite the control and eradication of animal diseases. The board should consist of producers and industry representatives, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Public Health, Michigan State University (MSU) Veterinary Medicine and USDA.
MDARD relying on veterinary science and animal science when establishing any new regulations or restrictions on livestock exhibition.
Changes to the Animals Running At Large Act that define livestock in a consistent manner with the Animal Industry Act.
MDARD providing adequate staffing to ensure proper monitoring of the State’s swine herd to maintain our achieved pseudorabies status. Appropriate state funding of the MSU Veterinary