Senate agricultural committee adopts multiple agriculture-related rules; animal-health, milk, invasive-species and wildlife-depredation changes approved

BOISE, Idaho ' The Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee voted Oct. 25 to adopt a series of rule dockets presented by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and to approve a temporary rule to implement reimbursements for wolf and grizzly bear depredation claims submitted under 2024 legislation.

Presenters included Dr. Scott Lively, administrator of the Division of Animal Industries and state veterinarian; Lloyd Knight, deputy director at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture; and Andrea Thompson, administrator of the Plant Industries Division. Committee vice chair Senator Zito and Chair Senator Nichols led the committee through motions and voice votes.

Key rule actions and summaries

- Animal industry rules (docket 0204032401): Dr. Lively reviewed an extensive negotiated rulemaking to streamline and update rules governing animal industry oversight. Changes include removal of several incorporated federal references related to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), clarification that electronic certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) meet requirements without requiring a printed copy, and removal of redundant disease references that are already covered in statute or in the department's reportable/notifiable disease listings. Dr. Lively noted the department's free electronic CVI platform (funded by a 2018 legislative appropriation) is available to licensed and accredited veterinarians and is intended to improve traceability and timeliness of movement records. The committee adopted the docket by voice vote.

- Grade A milk and related laboratory and sanitation documents (docket 0204052401): Lively said the changes were largely…