The Texas Animal Health Commission is accepting comments for several regulation changes:

Chapter 51.8, Entry Requirements for Cattle
Chapter 51.9, Entry Requirements
Chapter 47.2, Approved Personnel, General Requirements
Chapter 53.5. Market Regulation, Market Recordkeeping
Chapter 43.2 Tuberculosis, Subchapter A, Cattle and Bison, General Requirements
Chapter 51.3, Entry Requirement Exceptions
Chapter 51.9, Entry Requirements, Exotic Livestock and Fowl.
Chapter 51.15, Entry Requirements, Poultry
Chapter 51.13, Entry Requirements for Equine.

The text of the proposed regulation changes have been published in the Texas Register
at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archi ... index.html. If you can not access this page,
or if you would like to have the information directly emailed or faxed to you, please let me know.

The Texas Animal Health Commission's web page may be accessed at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us

A synopsis of the most recent TAHC commission meeting may be viewed at: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/meetin ... ay2007.pdf
In this synopsis, a brief, unofficial description of the proposed regulation changes are provided.
HOWEVER, if you plan to make comments or would like detailed information, please refer to the Texas Register
link --or ask for the text of the proposed regulations.

To make comments on the proposed regulations:
You may email comments to Comments@...
Fax them to: 512-719-0719
Or mail them to: TAHC Comments, Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711-2966

If you have questions, please contact me by email or phone at 800-550-8242, ext 710.

Carla Everett, TAHC Public Info

(04-15-2008)

AUSTIN - Commissioner Todd Staples today announced his appointments to the Texas Organic Agricultural Industry Advisory Board, created during the 80th Legislative Session. The board will assist the Texas Department of Agriculture in assessing the state of the organic agricultural industry and will provide recommendations to promote and expand the industry. Members will also recommend statewide organic agriculture product education and awareness campaigns.


"Organic agricultural producers in Texas are satisfying a rapidly growing market and meeting the demands of consumers around the world," Commissioner Staples said. "Working together, we will be able to draw on the collective expertise of our board members to raise awareness of this dynamic agricultural segment as we continue to satisfy a growing demand."


The Texas Organic Agricultural Industry Advisory Board will consist of:

Four organic producers: Timothy Anderson - El Campo; Donald De Jong - Dalhart; Dennis Holbrook - Mission; James Wedel - Muleshoe
Two organic retailers: Andrew Gunther - Whole Foods; Leslie Lockett - H-E-B
One organic distributor: Richard Ottis - El Campo
One organic processor: Mike Doguett - Beaumont
One representative of the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association: Harold "Skip" Connett
One representative of Texas Agrilife Extension: Dr. Monty Dozier
One technical advisor employed by an institution of higher education: Dr. Alfred Parks - Prairie View A&M University
One public representative: Howard Garrett - Dallas