Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

__________ N ATURAL
ESOURCES/Agriculture
ATURAL RESOURCES
77 th Texas Legislature
Foot and Mouth Disease in Livestock - H.B. 3673
by Representatives Swinford and Miller
Senate Sponsor: Senator Bivins
Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious disease and a threat to livestock production. This year, sixty
countries have endured outbreaks and widespread destruction of herds.
Prohibits feeding swine restricted garbage, that is, any refuse that contains any part of an animal carcass or
wastes from any activity involving animal carcasses, although swine owned by the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice may be fed restricted garbage that is treated in accordance with federal requirements.
Authorizes an individual, after registering and securing a permit from the Texas Animal Health Commission,
to feed swine unrestricted garbage, which contains only vegetable, fruit, dairy, or baked goods refuse
matter and waste.
Authorizes the commission to adopt rules for revoking a permit and proper handling and treatment of
unrestricted garbage.
Empowers the commission or the director to issue an emergency administrative order to suspend, for up to
two months, a registration or quarantine and close a garbage feeding facility.
Authorizes the commission or commissioner to prohibit feeding swine unrestricted garbage in part or all of
the state if it presents a danger to livestock or public health.
Requires the commission to attempt to inform individuals feeding garbage to swine and garbage feeding
facilities of the requirement of the law and to assist them to identify sources of unrestricted garbage.
Senate Research Center 213