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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: February 13, 2008
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOLD TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS THURSDAY, MARCH 6 REGARDING ANIMAL HEALTH ISSUES

Proposed Changes to Animal Importation Regulations and Proposed New Regulations Governing Identification of Sheep and Goats will be Heard

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that it will hold public hearings on Thursday, March 6 on proposed amendments to regulations governing the importation of animals and proposed adoption of regulations governing the identification of sheep and goats. Both hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. in Room 300 of DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence.

The proposed regulations governing the importation of animals modify existing regulations to reflect contemporary concerns such as avian influenza and proper species-specific forms of identification. The proposals are substantially consistent with those of neighboring states, and are necessary to ensure that diseased animals are not imported into Rhode Island. They primarily affect farmers wishing to import livestock, pet stores that import animals for retail sale, owners of animals used for competition and show, and individuals moving into the state with their animals, including pets. All of these groups are currently governed by existing regulations.

The purpose of the proposed new regulations governing the identification of sheep and goats is to safeguard public health, animal health, and the livestock industry from disease and illness associated with sheep and goats, particularly scrapie, a serious disease threat to those animals. Rhode Island currently has a voluntary identification program. The proposed regulations, which are being promulgated to comply with existing federal regulations, would ensure by mandate that all sheep and goats be identified by a US Department of Agriculture-accepted, permanent, official identification prior to any change of ownership or movement off premises. They would also require that records of the official identification be made available to federal and state health officials upon request.

Both sets of proposed regulations are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics" and then "Agriculture." They are also available by calling DEM's Division of Agriculture at 222-2781 during normal business hours. Written comments can be submitted by mail to DEM's Division Agriculture, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02920 prior to the hearing date, or by hand-delivery during the public hearing.

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rev. 5/12/08