Reps. Hune, Gaffney, Accavitti, Ball, Bieda, Booher, Brown, Caul, Elsenheimer, Farrah, Gillard, Gonzales, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Jones, Lemmons, III, Marleau, Meyer, Murphy, Nitz, Proos and Sheltrown offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 239.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan Department of Agriculture to direct all necessary resources to the implementation of the mandatory electronic animal identification program.

            Whereas, In response to concerns about how best to deal with problems regarding the health of animals, the Michigan Department of Agriculture has been working with farm and cattle organizations to develop a means of tracking the history of all herd animals. With the movement that takes place within the industry, having a reliable record of where an animal has been raised and fed is an important tool to allay undue fears and to isolate any health problems quickly; and

            Whereas, On January 9, 2006, the Michigan Agriculture Commission voted unanimously to direct the Michigan Department of Agriculture to develop an implementation plan for a mandatory electronic animal identification program. This initiative to have all cattle in our state identified through a radio frequency identification device is to be in place by March 1, 2007; and

            Whereas, The move to provide documentation on the history of each head of cattle in Michigan has strong support throughout the industry. This will be a tool to protect Michigan agriculture in the event of problems with disease elsewhere. Verifying the source and history of Michigan animals will be very reassuring to the market. This program is part of the national identification efforts being worked on by the United States Department of Agriculture; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Agriculture Commission's action is a response to a concern within the state. In carrying out the planning and implementation of this program, the department should do so in a manner that does not place additional burdens on the state's agricultural industry; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Department of Agriculture to direct all necessary resources to the implementation of the mandatory electronic animal identification program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Agriculture Commission.