Animal Agriculture

Section 200 - Animal Agriculture

Animal Welfare
We believe livestock producers should have more freedom in making decisions regarding their livestock. We  recommend the North Dakota Legislative Assembly review the current North Dakota Century Code to address this concern. We continue to defend individuals right to make choices in their businesses.---ID#:2683/24

We oppose the Humane Society of the United States involvement in the training of law enforcement personnel in regard to animal cruelty regulations.---ID#: 2149/23

We support NDFB working to strengthen animal owner's private property rights under North Dakota's existing animal
cruelty and abuse legislation.---ID#:2248/24

We support the humane treatment of animals but will oppose and work to change any law elevating animals to the level of humans.---ID#: 2058/25

We oppose any promotion by antiagricultural activists or environmental groups in our schools and the use of
state-funded media for their purpose.---ID#: 2565/23

We believe that livestock disputes between all parties should attempt to resolve the issue through the use of North Dakota Mediation Services of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture before involving authorities.---ID#: 2673/24

Animal Seizure
We believe two or more North Dakota licensed veterinarians specialized in large animal health from two different
veterinarian clinics one of which shall be chosen by the owner of the livestock, should be consulted to determine animal
neglect, abuse or cruelty prior to charges or seizure of livestock.---ID#: 2388/23

We believe animals should not be seized without approval from the State Veterinarian on behalf of the Board of Animal Health and until the owners have been afforded due process in the court of law.---ID#: 2185/24

Livestock Health
We support the responsible use of antibiotics and the science-based use of them.---ID#: 2325/25

In the absence of adequate federal funding, we urge the governor and the Emergency Commission to provide funding to the Board of Animal Health for testing and depopulating tuberculosis or brucellosis infected herds of both domestic and non-traditional livestock.---ID#: 2446/24

We support licensed North Dakota veterinarians prescribing medicines for livestock to ranchers or farmers who have a veterinary client patient relationship. ---ID#: 2108/25

We support the North Dakota Board of Animal Health and the Johnes Advisory Committee in its continuation of the volunteer Johnes testing program.---ID#:623/25

Brand Inspection and Animal Identification
We support the current North Dakota state brand program operated by the North Dakota Stockmen's Association and its use as a legally recognized form of identification and livestock proof of ownership.---ID#: 2415/23

We support use of high frequency electronic tags for federally mandated livestock traceability.---ID#: 2611/23

We believe any animal identification program should be voluntary and marketdriven. We oppose any and all attempts
to make it a mandatory, government-run program.---ID#: 1878/23

General Animal Ag
We recognize the traditions of the western way of life by supporting rodeo events, the rodeo industry, ranch rodeos and mounted shooting events in North Dakota. We oppose the banning of these activities within North Dakota.---ID#:
2747/25

We support the privately funded horse racing industry and any wagering that is associated with it, whether it be live
racing in North Dakota or through electronic means.---ID#: 2499/25

We support the prohibition of the production and sale of lab-grown meat in North Dakota.---ID#: 2717/25

We support labeling of U.S. commodities through the channels of free enterprise and entrepreneurship rather than a
government mandated program.---ID#:2399/23

Animal Feeding Operation
We support moving the Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) permitting process from the Department of Environment Quality to the Department of Agriculture.---ID#: 2476/24

We believe local units of government choosing to adopt ordinances which are more restrictive than the state model
ordinances for animal feeding operations should not be allowed to take advantage of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF). ---ID#: 2585/23

We believe the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality should not be allowed to require local government
approval prior to issuing any permits for livestock facilities. ---ID#: 2586/23

We believe local units of government should not be allowed to require approval by the North Dakota Department of
Environmental Quality prior to approving any building permits. ---ID#: 2587/23

Federal Livestock Programs
We favor the works to create equity in the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) by adjusting the normal mortality rate
requirements for all qualifying LIP benefits.---ID#: 2640/24

We support working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the ability to obtain a Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) contract once a contract is obtained and the down payment has been paid.---ID#: 2641/24

Processing Facilities
We support the diversification of livestock classes and the increased capacity within the meat packing industry.---ID#: 2460/24

We support the development of animal rendering plants and/or businesses.---ID#: 2597/23

We support private development of local processing plants in an effort to promote food chain stability.---ID#: 2663/24

We support the reinstatement of federal funding for meat inspectors in horse processing facilities. If this is not attained, we urge the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to work closely with other states to find a way to fund our inspectors.---ID#: 1645/24