North Dakota may have to rework regulations proposed earlier this year for livestock imported into the state from outside the United States.
State veterinarian Larry Schuler said the state wants to revisit the proposed regulations under Bill 1276 because of questions about whether they would satisfy international trade rules.
“We just want to make sure everything is in order.”
The rules as they are now proposed would require testing of Canadian livestock for tuberculosis, brucellosis, bluetongue and anaplasmosis.
The regulations also deal with veterinary drugs. Drugs not approved for use in U.S. livestock would be prohibited in livestock entering North Dakota from other countries.
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Schuler said approval is needed from the state’s board of health to revisit the regulations. A decision from the board is expected later this month.
If changes are made to the proposed rules, there would be another period of comment. That would push back implementation of the regulations by three months or more. Earlier this year, Schuler had suggested the regulations could possibly take effect before the end of 2000.
Federal and provincial officials in Canada hold a dim view of the proposed regulations. They traveled to North Dakota’s state capital this summer to challenge the rules, especially on the grounds that they would violate international trade obligations.
There was also a concern in Canada that the new import rules, if implemented, would set a precedent for other states to follow. Depending on how the rules were applied, they could be used to hinder the flow of Canadian livestock into the U.S.
Terry Norman, director of Western Hemisphere trade policy for Agriculture Canada, said last week he was encouraged by the prospect that North Dakota may revisit the proposed new regulations.
