Date: 03/07/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB13-1231

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE & ENVIRONMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:53 PM -- House Bill 13-1231

Representative Lebsock presented House Bill 13-1231 concerning a prohibition against routine tail docking of dairy cattle. The bill prohibits the practice of docking the tails of dairy cattle. It does allow tail docking if the procedure is performed for a therapeutic purpose by a veterinarian using anesthetic. It is an affirmative defense to an alleged violation that the tail of a dairy cow was docked prior to the effective date of the bill. A person who violates the bill's provisions commits a class 2 petty offense, subject to a fine not to exceed $500. Representative Lebsock provided a booklet to the committee (Attachment B). Representative Lebsock responded to questions about why the legislation is necessary and the practice of tail docking.

130307 AttachB.pdf130307 AttachB.pdf

02:12 PM

Representative Lebsock responded to questions about the entities that are supporting the bill, potential health issues that could arise in cattle that have their tails docked, and the importation of cows that already have their tails docked. Representative Lebsock provided a handout to the committee (Attachment C). Representative Lebsock continued to respond to questions from the committee about the practice of tail docking, the fine that is outlined in the bill, and whether other states have similar laws.

130307 AttachC.pdf130307 AttachC.pdf

02:31 PM -- Dr. Tom Parks, Humane Society of the United States Agricultural Council for Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the history of the practice of tail docking and why the legislation is needed. Dr. Parks responded to questions about tail docking, health issues that can occur in cattle that have their tails docked, and whether cattle experience pain when their tails are docked.


02:45 PM

Dr. Parks continued to respond to questions about the bill, whether tail docking has been banned in other countries, and the practice of switch trimming. Dr. Parks continued to responded to questions from the committee.


03:13 PM -- Jessica Morgan, Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the practice of tail docking. Ms. Morgan responded to a questions about the Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies.


03:17 PM -- Norm Dinis, representing himself, testified against the bill. He provided a booklet to the committee (Attachment D). He discussed the benefits of tail docking. Mr. Dinis responded to questions about veterinarians who train dairy farmers on tail docking, the costs related to switch trimming, and the employees on his farm. He continued to respond to questions about the pain that cows might feel during tail docking, the age of the cattle when tail docking occurs, and worker-safety issues related to switch trimming. He responded to questions about federal and state standards about tail trimming, whether a veterinarian is involved in tail banding on his farm, and the quality of his farm's milk.

130307 AttachD.pdf130307 AttachD.pdf

03:46 PM

Mr. Dinis continued to respond to questions about cattle health and the potential economic impact on his farm if the bill is enacted. He continued to respond to questions from the committee.


04:07 PM -- Mary Kraft, representing herself, testified against the bill. She discussed her dairy farm, animal husbandry, and employee injuries that have occurred on her farm. She discussed the economic impact of the dairy industry. Ms. Kraft responded to questions about the injuries that have occurred on her farm, the milking process on her farm, and why tail docking is not practiced on her farm.


04:29 PM -- Matt Dominguez, Humane Society of the United States, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the recommendations that have been made recently related to tail docking. Mr. Dominguez stated that the bill is meant to address agricultural producers who do not comply with industry standards. He stated that science does not demonstrate a relationship between high-quality milk and tail docking. He noted that four states have banned tail docking, and discussed the impact of the bans on the dairy industries in those states. He stated that the bill is not meant to punish farmers, but to end the practice of tail docking. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the effect of the legislation on jobs and worker safety. Mr. Dominguez responded to questions about the fine outlined in the bill and the legislative involvement of the Humane Society of the United States in other states that have banned tailed docking.


04:54 PM

Representative Lebsock discussed why he introduced the bill. Mr. Dominguez continued to respond to questions from the committee about the Humane Society of the United States and why tail docking is used.


05:01 PM -- Bonnie Brown, Colorado Wool Growers, testified against the bill. She discussed whether tracking of animals would need to occur.


05:05 PM -- Garrett DeVries, representing himself, testified against the bill. He discussed incremental regulation of the agriculture industry. He responded to questions about why he left California and whether other California farmers have left the state due to the tail docking ban.


05:10 PM -- Ashley Soard, Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in support of the bill.


05:12 PM -- Brad Pickert, representing himself, testified against the bill. He provided a copy of his testimony to committee (Attachment E). Mr. Pickert responded to questions from the committee.

130307 AttachE.pdf130307 AttachE.pdf

05:24 PM -- Chad Vorthmann, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified against the bill. He responded to a question about where dairy farms might relocate if the bill is enacted.


05:28 PM -- Dan Williams, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified against the bill. He discussed an ongoing working group under the Commissioner of Agriculture that discusses animal husbandry practices. Mr. Williams responded to questions about the committee assignment of the bill and the Colorado Livestock Care Coalition.


05:39 PM

Representative Lebsock discussed the Colorado Livestock Care Coalition. Mr. Williams discussed creating ongoing processes to make recommendations on issues related to agricultural issues.


05:43 PM -- Roland Halpern, First Universalist Church of Denver, testified in support of the bill. He discussed how cows use their tails to communicate and perform other functions, evidence that cows experience pain when their tails are removed, and various organizations' positions on tail docking.


05:50 PM -- Deborah Foote, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, testified in support of the bill. She referenced a letter she penned that was included in the booklet of information provided to the committee by Representative Lebsock. She discussed Temple Grandin's position on tail docking. Ms. Foote cited a Journal of Animal Science online forum that found that 79 percent of the participants were opposed to tail docking. She discussed the California dairy industry, the recent ban of tail docking in California, and the lack of research on whether tail docking impacts public safety.


05:55 PM -- Dr. Apryl Steele, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and National Mastitis Council all oppose routine tail docking of cattle. She discussed tail docking in both cattle and sheep. Dr. Steele and Dr. Parks, who returned to the table, responded to questions about the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.


05:59 PM -- Holly Tarry, Humane Society of the United States, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the division between animal advocates and the agriculture industry to address the issue of tail docking and the inability for the Humane Society of the United States to be involved in meetings with the agriculture industry. Ms. Tarry discussed the decrease of dairy farms in Colorado. Ms. Tarry responded to questions about the Humane Society of the United States involvement in meetings with the Commissioner of Agriculture. She discussed previous legislation on animal husbandry practices. Representative Stephens and Ms. Tarry dialogued about the regulation of tail docking, the rights of the agriculture industry, and previous legislation on animal husbandry practices.


06:23 PM

Ms. Tarry responded to questions about the relationship between animal welfare organizations and the agriculture industry, and the fine outlined in the bill. Representative Lebsock discussed the fine included in the bill. The committee and Representative Lebsock continued to dialogue about the involvement of various stakeholders in the drafting of the bill and how enforcement of the bill would occur.


06:36 PM -- Mr. Pickert returned to the table to dialogue with Representative Lebsock about the Western Dairy Association.


06:38 PM

Representative McCann laid over the bill for further action, and adjourned the committee.