| Action | Promulgate New Regulation to Replace Chapter 140 |
| Stage | Proposed |
| Comment Period | Ended on 4/1/2011 |
 |
71 comments
Type over this text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 words
Where can I find more info about this page?
Thanks,
Maria
It looks great and also very informative...keep going..
I am writing to plead with you not to regulate our small farm flocks. This is unnecessary, burdensome an a little creepy
Do not require identification of every agricultural animal. This is too burdensome on small farmers and is not practical, and produces too much government beauraucracy and expense.
Another attempt to overburden small farmers with paperwork and beauraucracy. I oppose this repeal of 140 and replacement with 141 if it requires animal tracking systems. Requiring the identification/tracking of every animal in Virginia is not practical and too expensive. Does this mean that everyone who orders a couple of chickens for the backyard must comply with identification/registration rules? That is too onerous.
This is absolutely absurd! Please do not set regulations for animals to enter into the state of Virginia. There is no reason to do this. All the government wants to do is make laws and make it harder for us to live. For some people poultry is their life and job. By doing this, it would restrict so many people to freely buy poultry out of state.
Large Corporations have been enslaving small scale farmers ever since they could greedily lobby our various levels of government. Look at the abuse in the Dairy industry and how the dairy farmer himself/herself receives very little of the vast dairy industry profits, it is the middle men who grow fat and greedy. It was greedy middlemen who in fact poisoned us with rBGH because it increased their profits. According to www.sourcewatch.org, Monsanto even lobbied to make it illegal for farmers to make the claim that their milk was free of this toxic product. These are not good people here, and they will put profits above morals EVERY day!
Monstanto, Astra-Zenca, Novartis, Dupont, Dow and NASF are all now involving themselves in the march toward global control over the profits of every grain and every thing that eats grain. They patent grain and plant it EVERYWHERE regardless of the fact that the multitude of independent studies show that these products mutate living cells and damage their DNA. When these altered mutated grains mix with local farmers normal fields through the natural process of cross-pollination, their crops are then damaged and mutated as well, but instead of apologizing and coming in and making reparations, Monsanto actually comes in with a battery of lawyers and other corporate henchmen and sues these small scale farmers into oblivion for "using their product without authorization". Why would good American corporations do such a diabolical thing you ask? GREED! If they own the right (read patent) to food, no one can put a bite in their mouths without money going in their greedy corporate pockets. Google Food,Inc. or King Corn or the excellent french documentary (subtitles) "The world according to Monsanto" I found it online in segments that you can watch for free if you have the time.
Mr Obama's secretary of the USDA is Tom Vilsack. Mr Vilsack is a former Monsanto insider and he has been very busy with Monsanto's wish list ever since he was put in office. He is not looking after the good of American Citizens my friends. He is looking after the interests of his paymasters. We can no longer trust the government agencies who were put in place to protect us because they have become part of the Agricultural Industrial Complex's revolving door con game.
This "requirement" is simply yet another avenue for big agribusiness to shut the door to the free market for the small scale farmer. Only big agribusiness has the resources to punch a RFID chip into every egg that hatches or every calf or kid born. This is horrifying and I want you to stand up against it with every moral fiber in your being and say no to the enslavement of America's small scale farmer! How will the future generations view you, our elected officials when their children ask "How did this happen, how did all of Americas farmers become slaves?" "Who was in charge of the public trust when all of this scurrilous activity was taking place?" Well good Sirs and Ladies, that would be you. I am asking you to do your duty and protect Americas small scale farmers and for that matter all American citizens and say no to the inhumane march toward the corporate ownership of food.
"Who controls the food supply, controls the people..." Henry Kissinger
It may a have a positive effect on regulating the animals especially endangered ones who are caught and trveled to other states.
Please do not regulate the animals on small farms. Regulations always unfairly burden the little guy. While the big guy can place one RFID chip in a herd of 500 cows, for example, the little guy has to chip each animal. That is very expensive.
There are already regs in place for importation of animals into Va.
This sounds like NAIS re-visted.
These regulations are, in short, a VERY BAD IDEA. We don't need any more burdensome regulations on any animals, especially livestock. Everyone knows this will not help with the outbreak of any disease. It is simply a way for the government to become involved in one more way in our lives. No, No, NO!!!!!!!!
These regulations are a very bad idea.We don't need anymore regulations on our animals.This is just one more way for the government to try and tell us what we can and cannot do.Last I checked America was still a free country not some commuist country where everything we do is watched over by the government.The government is already in our private lives way to much.
Requiring the identification/tracking of every animal in Virginia is not practical and too expensive. Does this mean that everyone who orders a couple of chickens for the backyard must comply with identification/registration rules? top hot girls, best hot girl, hottest girls
Please DO NOT require that all small farms tag their animals. This "big brother" tactic would be prohibitively expensive for the small farmers in our state and would give unfair advantage to the factory farms. This regulation is unnecessary and expensive. Haven't we already voted against NAICS? Shouldn't we be doing all we can to keep our local farmers in business? Enforcement of regulations such as this one are a waste of taxpayer money as well.
I oppose animal ID. It would be expensive for small farmers. I prefer freedom and responsibility. NO ANIMAL ID!!
Do not pass this regulation, this will place undo hardship on the small farm operators and hobby farmers and backyard poultry enthusiasts in the state. This shold be reserved for BIG Agribusiness concerns who import and export large quantities of livestock and poultry and have a much higher risk of propogating a disease.
Have the Vet's tell you when the last breakout of something dangerous to livestock or humans occured from a small operator and then have them give you the same facts for the BIG operators.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
I propose the reserve bid on all equines going to any Virginia Livestock sale be a minimum of $1000.00 to prevent the Killer Buyers from picking them up and sending them to Canada and Mexico. If the Thoroughbred Association can do this at public auctions; so can this state!
I propose any equine sold in any livestock sale in the state of virginia be identified by an owner/agent/trainer or breeder and to be run through a stolen or missing equine website before they are run through any sale. If they are on a website the proper authorities need to be contacted along with the owner and the person who brought them need to be dealt with by the full extent of the law.
I propose the banning and enforcement of banning pot belly transport trucks for hauling any livestock.
I propose the banning of any sale of equid for slaughter or transporting to slaughter.
I also propose any equine/livestock/farm animal who is down or injured receive humane euthanasia or veterinary treatment at the cost of the owner. To not allow it to go through the sale - the owner should be held responsible. State vets need to be at every sale inspecting the health and welfare of all animals and to not be influenced by the propreitors or farmers involved with bringing animals in.
I would also like to see no sales of livestock in any parking lot of any livestock sale - all animals should be identified and especially checked to see if they have been stolen.
As individuals my husband and I are in support of 2VAC5-141.
The Virginia Alpaca Owners Breeders Association have been in support of these changes and working towards this since its inception in 2005 along with the llama community before that. We appreciate the protection the regulations provide and recognize them to be in the best interest of our animals.
There are many farms that will benefit from this being passed.
Thank you!
After a long, long process, alpaca & llama breeders need to be able to bring their animals into the state of VA for show and sale without unnecessary & expensive testing. Most other states have made these changes already. The livestock industry in VA has suffered, and stands to suffer more if these changes are not made to the regulations (I.E. Many fewer reeders will participate in VA shows & livestock marketing events because of the testing requirements). We support 2 VAC 5 ? 141.
We, as Virginia alpaca farmers and members of the Virginia Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association, fully support the repeal of 2VAC5-140-140 and its replacement with 2 VAC 5-141.
Both, alpaca and llama breeders need to be able to bring their animals into the state of Virginia for show and sale without unnecessary and expensive testing. Most other states have already made these changes. Many breeders will not participate in our VAOBA show because of the current testing requirements and the expense involved. Tthe research and evidence completely support this change and we respectfully ask for it to be implemented in as expeditious a manner as possible.
Virginia seems to be one of the very few states that still require blue tongue, TB and brucellosis testing for an alpaca to enter the state. These tests can be very expensive and many breeders will think long and hard before attending an alpaca event in Virginia for this reason. I, in fact, know of several farms that have refused to participate in any Virginia alpaca shows.........which overall, keeps money out of the state of Virginia. I believe it is time to move forward.
As an owner and breeder of alpacas in VA, I fully support the repeal of 2VAC-140-140 and it's replacement with 2VAC 5-141. I have found it very difficult to bring alpacas into VA in the past and I hope that this is passed quickly. It will benefit all alpaca & llama events in the state with much higher attendence from out of state farms. It will also benefit all alpaca/llama farms who offer stud service because females coming from another state will be required to have less testing which saves thiers owners money and makes the out of state breeding more cost effective. Thank you for all the hard work that went into making this possible!
As alpaca breeder from West Virginia it has been vital for our farm's marketing program to enter Virginia due to the high number of alpaca farms. Exhibition attendance has also been a major reason to enter Virginia with our alpacas, because Virginia hosts hold two major events each year. Like many others farms, our farm has decided not to attend the exhibitions in Virginia due to the expense of testing for entry. We have not entered Virginia for exhibition for two years. We ask that you change this regulation to make it possible for animals from states that have been declared free of TB and Brucelosis to enter Virginia without testing. By making this change, you will make it possible for many out of state farms to enter Virginia with ease and generate revenue with hotels, restuarants, fueling stations, etc. Thank you for your time.
As an alpaca breeder I support this bill. Most states do not requireVet certification if an animal is coming from a brucellus free state.
As owners and breeders of alpaca in the Commonwealth of VA and members of the Virginia Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association we fully support the repeal of 2VAC5 140-140 and repectfully request the replacement with 2VAC5 - 141. The present regulation has made it costly for alpaca and llama breeders and owners from surrounding states and afar to participate in events and breeding within the Commonwealth, especially those who are from TB and Brucellosis free states. As breeders it is challenging to market our breeding services outside of the Commonwealth to clients due to the expense of testing to enter the Commonwealth and as an owner it is costly to transport animals being purchased from other TB, Brucellosis free states into the Commonweath. The replacement of the regulation will make it more cost effective for those outside the Commonwealth to participate in events while increasing revenue to local business close to events and it will allow owners to offer breeding services to clients outside of the Commonwealth without additional cost. Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated.
As an alpaca breeder who lives on the border of VA, I heartily support the ongoing effort to liberalize the entry requirements for alpacas coming into the state. There is an active Virginia alpaca community who have multiple shows during the year. I would love to go to them but the vet health requirements are cost prohibative! NC is a TB and Brucellosis free state. There should be no need to recheck these tests in order to bring my animals to a VA show!
Please consider revamping the rules!
As an alpaca farm I am opposed to the restrictions currently in place to import alpacas(livestock into Virginia. I show my animals and won't enter any show that is in a state that does not have the "free" transport of animals with normal regulations like my state(Ohio) . Alpaca showsare a strong economic boost to the state that has them and many owners, myself included, will forego the extra expense that the additional veterinary requirements create for us. Since veterinary inspections are conducted, both at the farm's state, as well as at the show sites, this onerous extra expense is not necessary, and only reduces your state's income from shows. Please replace it with the proposed new version. Type over this text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 wIRords.
As an owner and breeder of alpacas in WV, a Brucellosis and TB Free State, I fully support the repeal of 2VAC-140-140 and it's replacement with 2VAC 5-141. I have found it difficult, not to mention costly, to bring alpacas into VA in the past and support the repeal and replacement.
We support 2VACS-141 and the changes in the testing requirements for Brucellosis, TB & Bluetongue in camilids being imported into the Commonwealth of VA. This will eliminate an unnecessary burden on the industry.
The State of Virginia alpaca industry is suffering because of the requirement for out of state breeders to have unnecessary & expensive testing done. Many of those breeders do not come to alpaca events and shows in the State of Virginia due to the cost as well as inconvenience of the testing requirements for TB, Brucellosis & Blue Tongue. Our vet says he has never seen a positive test result from a camelid for these diseases. A recent show in Lexington, VA for llamas and alpacas barely had enough entries to pay the bills, and it is now questionable whether they will be able to hold the show next year unless this legislation is passed (it will be their 16th year!) - our breeder friends in other states attended different shows the same weekend in nearby states where there were no testing requirements.
Changing the requirements would bring more alpacas to Virginia events and that is good for State revenues as well as helping the strong alpaca industry in our state!
I totally support repealing the regulations governing requireemens for testing for animals from states that have been declared free of TB and Brucelosis to enter Virginia without testing
Not only do out of state Alpaca farms not want to attend Virginia shows but they also do not want the added expense for the testing to send their Alpacas to Virginia for breeding. Changing the required testing would increase the revenue our Virginia farms and Shows would receive.
As a California alpaca breeder, I travel all over the country for shows and purchasing outside breedings. The TB, brucellosis and bluetongue testing requirements now keep me out of Virginia.
Most states have eliminated the testing requirements for alpacas, and I hope Virginia follows suit. As soon as they do, I have a girl ready to go to Gainesville for a breeding.
I fully support the changes outlined in 2VAC5-141 which bring the testing requirements for animals coming into the state, more in line with what other states are doing, based on the latest research. The testing requirements in the 'current' regulation are extremely expensive and do not seem to be supported by the research in transmission of disease (such as blue tongue). The regulation has kept many animals out of Virginia for exhibition/shows. Many of the TB and brucellosis free states on the east coast have dropped that requirement for testing for animals from other TB and Bucellosis free states. This makes great sense and allows for small farms to bring their animals to Virginia without adding hundreds of dollars of added expense.
Livestock shows are a great source of revenue for the state (show venues, hotels, restaurants, rental companies, etc). Keeping the old style regulations which are overly stringent would keep out exhibiters and animals from nearby states at our shows, reduce revenue from those shows and conceivably create a negative image of Virginia as a state that supports it's proud livestock heritage. As the coordinator for our fall show for the past few years, we have seen our number of participants fall quite a bit. Granted, the economy has caused a lot of this, but the expense for testing is part of the picture for any exhibiters from outside Virginia. I know of several exhibiters who would have come, but for the testing requirements. I personally tend to stay away from shows in states where I would have to do significant testing even when Virginia is TB and brucellosis free.
So, please complete this legislative process so we can move forward and welcome animals from other states for exhibition, without the extremely expensive additional testing.
As an owner and breeder of alpacas in Tidewater , I fully support the repeal of 2VAC5-l40 and respectfully request the replacement with2VAC5-141.
Small farmers are an essential part of Virginia's economy and meet a growing demand for food that is fresh, local, and healthy. Our government should support local farmers through a decreased regulatory burden. Instead, small farmers face ever-increasing mandates, including animal identification requirements in this proposed regulation. These requirements restrict the rights of small farmers to provide for themselves and for their local communities. Please support local farmers and reconsider the regulatory burden imposed by these regulations.
Please vote to eliminate the need for testing alpacas for TB, Brucellosis and Blue Tongue when coming to Virginia from states free of these diseases. Thank you.
I support a change to livestock regulations removing the unnecessary and expensive tests for camelids.
I agree that Certificates of Veterinary Inspection and permanent identification should be required for:
All camelids crossing the state line into VA to protect our static livestock herds from uncontrolled introduction of disease from outside the state.
As a Virginia alpaca farmer and member of the Virginia Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association, I fully support the repeal of 2VAC5-140-140 and its replacement with 2 VAC 5-141.
Many breeders will not participate in our VAOBA show because of the current testing requirements and the expense involved. Both, alpaca and llama breeders need to be able to bring their animals into the state of Virginia to participate in our shows without the burden of unnecessary and expensive testing. Most other states have already made these changes. Virginia should as well.
First I would like to respond to the previous comments about animal identification. These regulations only apply to animals imported into Virginia from out of state. They are not NAIS. The regulations are not onerous. To be sold at a livestock auction all sheep and goats are already required to have scrappie tags. To show poultry at a county fair the birds must have individual pullorum bands affixed. These requirements are no different and are easily met by small and backyard growers.
Second, I support the changes to the poultry import rules. The elimination of the Mycoplasma Gallisepticum testing requirement is especially important. MG is currently present in the state of Virginia however we do not have either a surveillance or eradication program in place. Requiring testing of imported birds is a waste of time and money.
Uniformity of regulations across state lines is important to people who show animals and/or transport animals. The removal of MG regulations brings Virginia policies in line with that of most other states. Now if we could just get multistate agreement on avian influenza regulations.
We, as Virginia alpaca farmers and members of the Virginia Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association, fully support the repeal of 2VAC5-140-140 and its replacement with 2 VAC 5-141.
Both, alpaca and llama breeders need to be able to bring their animals into the state of Virginia for show and sale without unnecessary and expensive testing. Most other states have already made these changes. Many breeders will not participate in our VAOBA show because of the current testing requirements and the expense involved. Tthe research and evidence completely support this change and we respectfully ask for it to be implemented in as expeditious a manner as possible.
rhia needs to pass to help the Alpaca industry to continue in the State of Va. and to allow the coming and going ot the business to continue and grow along with helping the State. South River Alpacas Support 2VAC5-141
The change to the current regulation is important to help alpaca breeders sustain their business (incoming alpacas for breedings, shows, sales) in this difficult economy. While we are all interested in maintaining the high health standards expected of alpaca breeders, it is a financial hardship to have to have animals rrepeatedly tested in order to come instate for the above-mentioned reasons, particularly from states that are already TB, Brucellos or Blue Tongue free. Please give strong consideration to this amendment to help the alpaca breeders in VA and those wishing to enter the state of VA.
Please pass 2VAC5-141
My husband and I are small alpaca breeders, who have been in the business for almost twenty years. I've had extensive experience transporting and showing alpacas around the country, and am knowledagble of most state's health inspection requirements. We support the portion of this amendment that would change the inspection requirements for bringing camelids into the State of Virginia. As proposed, the amendment strikes the proper balance between protecting our state's livestock from the risk of disease where there is a reasonable likelihood of such risk, while reducing the current unnecessary and expensive inspections requirements where such disease risks are more remote. This amendment is a substantial improvement over the current law, brings Virginia's requirements more into line with those of other states, and should be passed.
Thank you.
Teri Phipps, Fireweed Farm Alpacas
I am in full support of changing the camelid requirements for entry to the state of Virginia. I have read and fully understand the changes.
As a llama breeder and llama and alpaca event coordinator, I am in full support of the change in regulations, particularly the chapter regarding llamas and alpacas. The current regulations are a detriment to the llama and alpaca industry in the state of Virginia. The high cost and added risk of testing has taken its toll on our events statewide. Exhibitors have chosen instead to drive THROUGH Virginia to bordering states to exhibit their animals. This has not only hurt Virginia shows and sales, but has also depleted the state of significant tourism revenue (hotels, restaurants, fuel, etc.) Please do not delay the passing of this new regulation.
Sincerely,
Paige McGrath, Charlottesville, Virginia
I am completely in favor of changing the regulations for camelids entering the state of Virginia. The tests that are required are completely unneccessary in our industry, costly and prove to be an economic hindrance to the livestock industry and tourism aspects in the state.
We are totally in support of 2VAC5 - 141. The current testing requirements for out of state llamas and alpacas hurts our industry and the state in many ways. Our shows suffer because many exhibitors will not consider showing in Virgina due to the extra costs of these tests and the stress it places on their animals. Our breeding programs suffer because potential customers choose breedings in other states that do not have these health requirements. The state tourism revenue is hugely impacted with the loss of these potential exhibiitors and breeders. Please pass this long overdue change. Thank you.