Wyoming Livestock Board approves rules, fails DSA boundary change

During their May meeting, the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) entertained a variety of conversations on many topics, but notably, they moved three sets of rules forward and looked at changing the boundaries of the designated surveillance area (DSA) for brucellosis.

Rules

WLSB Director Steve True said, “We brought forward three rules at our most recent meeting and passed them for the Governor to sign.”

First, the Chapter Eight Import rules went out for comment earlier this year, and no comments were received. They were passed unanimously.

Chapter Nine rules regarding brand inspection fees were also passed, with a minor modification on out-of-state permits. 

“There was a comment that asked about increases in both the percentage applied when performing an inspection under an out of state permit, and the underlying inspection fee,” True explained. “Because of the increase in the underlying inspection fee, as well as the increased percentage on the permit fee, out-of-state permits would have seen double increases.”

“We modified the proposed rules, so the increase was only  on the underlying inspection fee and the 30 percent charge remained the same,” he said, noting the intent of the rules was for an overall increase of 15 percent on all brand inspection fees, with some rounding down of fees for mathematical ease.  “The 10 percent temporary fee increase from a year ago was made permanent, so in effect, the fees were raised an additional 15 percent.” 

Finally, WLSB also approved their Chapter 10 rules, which would mandate the agency to adopt the same fee schedule for public records requests as other agencies in the state.

“This change makes WLSB consistent with other state agencies,” True explained. 

DSA

“We also had a good, helpful conversation about the boundaries of our DSA during the meeting, as well,” True said. “There was a motion to move the boundary of the DSA in Lincoln County to where it was prior to 2010. The motion did not pass during the vote.”

Healthy discussions were held that included Wyoming Game and Fish Department data on the seroprevalence of elk positive for brucellosis, as well as on the impact of the DSA. 

“That boundary is also in rules, so we would have to go through the rulemaking process anyway before the boundary could be changed,” True said. “The Board voted to not move the boundary at this time.”

However, True noted conversations are not over about the subject.

“Proponents of the change in Lincoln County and Dr. Jim Logan, our state veterinarian, will continue to have conversations about the DSA boundaries, and they will come back to the Board with recommendations,” he said. “This is an ongoing conversation.”

Animal health

True also noted Logan provided an animal health report to Board members during the meeting, specifically highlighting the fact that no quarantines are in place for equine herpes virus (EHV) at this point.

“EHV continues to be of interest and concern recently,” he said. “EHV is also more highly reported today than it has been in the part due to improvement in reporting capabilities, among other things.”

Logan also emphasized that the incidence of rabies has increased this spring.

“Folks need to be aware of the high prevalence of rabies test-positive skunks this spring and early summer,” True said. “Be aware and pay attention to the possibility of rabies.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.