MADISON, Wis. – Based on input received during the public comment period, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is proposing substantial modifications to two DATCP administrative rules. DATCP received hundreds of comments related to ATCP 10 (Animal Disease and Movement) and ATCP 12 (Animal Markets, Dealers and Truckers).
“DATCP appreciates the many stakeholders and interested parties who engaged in this public comment process for proposed revisions to ATCP 10 and 12,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Once the public comment period closed, DATCP expeditiously reviewed the comments and began work on substantial modifications to the rules, including significantly reducing the proposed fees that fund these important animal health programs. Wisconsin farmers and businesses rely on these animal health programs, and it’s important that DATCP work with the industry to find a sustainable way to fully fund them.”
Public comments on the rules emphasize the importance of protecting animal health; the need for the industry to not be the only funding source for critical animal health programs; and the need to secure additional revenue sources for programs that benefit the entire state.
The revised fee proposal will amount to an inflationary adjustment to account for the roughly 17 years since the fees were last adjusted to support these animal health programs.
With the reduction in the proposed fees, additional state resources will be needed to fully fund the programs. DATCP stands ready to work with the industry, partners, and the legislature to secure additional revenue to cover the costs of these important programs.
DATCP will post the updated fee structure and the modified rules with changes incorporated before they are presented at a future DATCP Board meeting for consideration. To learn more about DATCP animal health programs, visit the department website at https://datcp.wi.gov.
ATCP 10 supports the following animal health programs: Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Forms, Intermediate Handling Facilities, Disease Certifications (Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Pseudorabies), Equine Infectious Anemia Retests, Equine Quarantine Stations, Feed Lots, Medical Separation, National Poultry Improvement Plan, Farm-Raised Deer, and Fish Farms. ATCP 12 supports Animal Markets, Animal Dealers, and Animal Truckers.
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