Enforcing Animal Health Laws

Questions & Answers for Horse Owners about HB 1310/SB 5204
 
How does this legislation change animal health requirements for horses?
The bill does not change any animal health requirements for horses.  It provides the Department of Agriculture with additional enforcement tools to better ensure the current requirements are being met.
 
What are the state's animal health requirements for horses?
The only state animal health requirements for horses are for horses entering the state. 
·         All horses entering Washington must be accompanied by a health certificate.  Those entering from the ten western states may enter Washington for shows, rides, or other events with a health certificate or a "Horse Passport," the specialized health certificate/ permit available for this type of movement. 
·         Horses traveling into Washington with their Oregon or Idaho owners in private conveyance for round-trip visits of not more than four days for purposes other than breeding are exempt from the health certificate requirement.
·         There are specific restrictions or testing or vaccination requirements for horses entering the state for diseases such as Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA).
 
What animal health papers are required for Washington horse owners transporting their horses within the state to the county fair, a horse show or a trail ride?
None.  Horses transported within the state are not required to carry animal health documents. 
 
So, if a Washington horse owner doesn't need to carry a health certificate, does that mean that the Department will not stop them at checkpoints?
Not necessarily.  We might ask you to stop, but once we know the animals you are transporting are not from out-of-state, you will be quickly passed through. 
 
How will you know whether the horse I'm transporting is from in state or out of state?
We'll ask you.  Horses transported in the state should be accompanied by proof of ownership.  Ownership documents indicate the state you reside in and establish the state of origin of the horse you are transporting.  Under RCW 16.57, the state's "brand law," ownership documentation for horses can be:
·         An official livestock inspection certificate issued by WSDA. (Owners often get annual or lifetime certificates from WSDA for their horses.)
·         An official inspection certificate or health certificate issued by another state or province.
·         Registration papers on purebred horses.
·         A bill of sale.
 
I've heard the Department already has authority to stop vehicles transporting horses.  Is this true?
Yes, the Department currently has authority to stop vehicles transporting horses to check for ownership.  This is under the state law that is intended to protect against livestock theft.  We only use this authority occasionally.  When we do, we use the opportunity to remind people about the requirements of the law and that carrying ownership papers is a smart thing to do.
 
How often will people transporting horses in state be stopped by the Department?
Probably not very often, unless there is an animal disease situation or a horse theft incident.  In a three-month period last fall, WSDA stops of vehicles transporting livestock included three vehicles transporting horses.  One of the three was not carrying the required animal health paperwork for animals from Idaho and was given a verbal warning.
 
If this legislation passes, how will it affect Washington horse owners?
It probably won't have any direct impact on individual horse owners, as it does not change any animal health requirements or place any new requirements on owners.  It will have indirect benefit to all in that it will allow the Department to better protect the horse industry from diseases coming into the state.

See the Final bill report and other details at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5204