Date: 03/25/2009

Final
Rocky Mt. Regional Animal Health Lab

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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08:32 AM -- Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory

John Stulp, Commissioner of Agriculture, introduced Dr. Keith Roehr, State Veterinarian.

08:34 AM

Dr. Roehr explained that the Division of Animal Industry, in the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for animal health and livestock disease control activities in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Regional Animal Health Laboratory is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory that provides testing services for 16 different diseases including Brucellosis, Johne's, Trichomoniasis, Equine Infectious Anemia, and Scrapie Genetic Susceptibility. ISO 17025 is an accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation that is an internationally recognized standard for testing laboratories. He explained that state law requires that an inspection by a veterinarian occur prior to sale of livestock. The veterinarian must determine whether any of the animals presented to the public livestock market for sale possess any of the diseases or injuries specified in state regulation. Dr. Roehr answered questions from the committee and described how Department of Agriculture staff work with staff from Colorado State University Diagnostic Medicine Center to address animal disease control issues. He also described animal disease testing methods.

08:48 AM

The meeting adjourned.