| |
The report addresses how the Department of
Agriculture’s Animal Disease, Ownership and Welfare Protection Program
inspects cattle and horses. Current statutory fees for cattle and horse
inspections do not allow the Department to recover its costs for conducting
these inspections. While a typical cattle or horse inspection costs the
Department at least $14 in travel and inspection costs, the Department’s $3
base fee plus $.25 per head of cattle, and $5 per horse inspection fees, fall
far short of these costs. Since these fees are specified in statute, the report
recommends that the Legislature consider increasing the current horse inspection
fee from $5 to $10 and establishing separate travel fees to allow the Department
to better recover its costs. Additionally, the Legislature should consider
establishing a travel fee not to exceed $15 and grant the Department the
authority to set the actual fee in administrative rule based on its costs.
Further, the report recommends that the
Legislature and the Department take steps to reduce the costs associated with
these inspections, and alter the actual fees to reflect reduced costs. For
example, the Legislature should consider amending statute to allow the
Department to eliminate many of the pre-transit inspections it conducts, which
are duplicative and unnecessary. Additionally, the Department should conduct
inspections at central locations and encourage cattle and horse owners to bring
their animals to these locations, and increase the number of part-time or
seasonal inspectors stationed in rural areas. These steps should reduce the
travel carried out by the Department’s inspection staff. To provide incentive
for livestock owners to meet inspectors at current inspection locations, the
Department should reduce inspection fees.
|
|
