BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 897
By: Sims / et al (Patterson)
04-18-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Recently, the state's livestock industry has suffered from
several isolated, yet intense, outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis
(TB) in dairy and beef cattle. Bovine TB is a bacterial disease
which can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans.
During the past decade, there has been an increase in the number
of TB cases diagnosed in cattle, traditional and non-traditional
farm livestock in Texas. Naturally, this re-emergence of TB poses
food safety, public health, and economic problems for livestock
industries.

No one knows what the direct cause of the TB re-emergence is, but
most authorities agree that there are many factors which have
contributed to the growing problem. For 60 years, there has been
little research conducted on bovine TB. It has plagued large
dairy herds in the El Paso milkshed for years. Although dairy
farmers in this region execute costly de-population and de-infection programs, a lack of knowledge about TB has made the
disease difficult to control.

The U.S. bovine tuberculosis eradication program has been ongoing
since 1917, and was restructured in 1965 to fit today's current
program. Currently, the method of TB control consists of
nationwide slaughter surveillance. Animals with lesions, an
indication of TB, are investigated to find the origin of their
infection and to follow the movements of potentially infected or
exposed animals into other herds. Since 1965, several significant
changes in the livestock industry have created a need for an
improved, comprehensive effort to eradicate TB.  U.S. trade with
Mexico has expanded, resulting in the increased importation of
TB-infected and TB-exposed Mexican cattle as well as the
immigration of potentially infected farm workers. There has also
been an elevation in the number of intensive beef and dairy
operations where livestock spend a significant amount of time in
close contact with each other increasing their risk of
contracting TB.

Advanced research of TB is needed to achieve TB eradication in
Texas. The development of a TB vaccine and an improved diagnostic
test would move producers closer to eradication.  Additional
research could also provide a clearer understanding of the
disease and methods to combat it.

Some producers and animal health experts do not believe that
eradication is necessary or possible.  TB should simply be
controlled.  If no action is taken to better control or eradicate
TB, the state could become subject to a statewide federally
imposed TB quarantine that would decrease the value of the
state's $10 billion livestock industry.


PURPOSE

The purpose of S.B. 897 is to authorize the review of the
tuberculosis research, eradication and control programs for
traditional and nontraditional farm animals in order to develop
and implement an improved comprehensive plan.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 162, Agriculture Code by adding
Section 162.014 as follows:
Sets forth that the tuberculosis research, eradication and
control programs will be jointly reviewed by the following
college and agencies:    
     Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
     Texas Agriculture Experiment Station         
     Texas Animal Damage Control Service
     Texas Department of Agriculture
     Texas Agriculture Extension Service
     Texas Animal Health Commission
     Texas Department of Health
     Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Sets forth that the above listed college and agencies will
implement an improved comprehensive plan to research, control and
eradicate tuberculosis based on the review of their current
tuberculosis control programs.  The Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station will be the lead agency.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause; effective upon passage.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 897 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on
Tuesday, April 18, 1995.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote
of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.