House Agriculture committee gives due pass to bill naming Agriculture Commissioner as state contact for U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan

The House Agriculture Committee voted to give a due-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2,085, which would authorize the Agriculture Commissioner to serve as the Official State Agency for the United States Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP). Representative Ridge moved the bill to a due pass and Representative Freiberg seconded; the motion passed with a recorded tally of 12 yes, 0 no, 2 absent.

The bill’s sponsor was presented at a committee hearing by Dr. Ethan Andrus, North Dakota state veterinarian, who testified on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goring and the State Board of Animal Health. Andrus told the panel US SHIP is modeled on the National Poultry Improvement Plan and is an industry-driven entity funded with federal dollars to help states and industry…