Vet Board pulls rules, seeks fresh start in disputes over animal husbandry

In the midst of a dispute over what are described as “misinterpretations” of rules centered around farmers and ranchers continuing to care and treat their own animals, and concern for protecting Oklahoma public health and safety, an important state agency has withdrawn proposed rules. The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has voted to withdraw emergency rules requested and signed into law by then-Governor Brad Henry to help define the term “animal husbandry,” in order to clarify who can provide medical services on livestock. House Bill 3202 amended the Veterinary Practice Act by allowing teeth floating and horseshoeing services to be provided by a certified non-veterinarian equine dental care provider and included animal husbandry under acts not prohibited. The Vet Board’s defenders assert the recent emergency rules attempted to clarify the legislation, by defining what animal husbandry does not include, to help ensure that Oklahoma’s beef supply and livestock have quality care by licensed and trained medical physicians for all procedures that are invasive or surgical in any manner. Kirkpatrick said the withdrawal of the emergency rules was a good-faith effort to work with legislators and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau by starting with a clean slate...more