CHAPTER 20
S.P. 355 - L.D. 1174
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Live animal and embryo testing program. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall develop a plan for creating and funding an animal testing program within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources that meets all applicable federal and state requirements for testing live animals and embryos for export from the State. The commissioner shall determine the equipment and personnel necessary to establish the animal testing program and shall submit the plan together with any required draft legislation to the Legislature no later than January 1, 1998. The plan must provide for the department to have cost estimates for appropriate facilities and certified staff to perform the following tests:
1. EHD-SN;
2. Vesicular Stomatitis: SN;
3. Leptospirosis - 5 serotypes;
4. VS CF; and
5. BVD/IBR.
The department shall provide an estimate of costs associated with testing capability for the EHD-SN Test and cumulative cost estimates associated with developing testing capability for each of the other 4 tests. Throughout the development of the plan, the department shall consult with potential users of the testing program, including, but not limited to, the following: a Maine farmer engaged in the export of live animals and embryos, representatives of the harness racing and poultry industries and a person with recognized expertise in biotechnology. The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may report to the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature legislation relating to testing of live animals and embryos for export from the State.
Effective September 19,1997.
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