Kim Roberson

The Quarterly Board Meeting included several critical updates. The Board of Animal Health staff provided information regarding New World Screwworm detections near the US border, the detection of Vesicular Stomatitis in Arizona, ongoing issues with canine brucellosis, and preparation for a Foot and Mouth Disease exercise in 2026. An update on Electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (eCVIs) announced that paper CVIs will no longer be accepted starting January 1, 2026. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detailed staffing challenges, particularly for the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory (MPTL), and requested financial support. The College of Veterinary Medicine shared its strategic roadmap and recent HPAI grant awards. The Department of Health provided data on human HPAI exposures and updates on a multistate infant botulism outbreak linked to infant formula. Discussions also covered the differences between past and current HPAI outbreaks and the state's poultry response protocols, including mandatory biosecurity compliance audits for farm restocking. The Department of Natural Resources reported on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance and ongoing HPAI surveillance in wild bird populations, including research projects on elk and moose. An update on the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) outbreak indicated Minnesota had no confirmed cases but was managing quarantines. Finally, the USDA presented on the National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1 surveillance.

The meeting included updates on various animal health issues, such as Minnesota's declaration of being HPAI-free in poultry, the status of H5N1 in dairy cattle, and concerns about the northward spread of New World Screwworm. Discussions also covered tularemia and rabies cases in domestic animals, genetics research in cervidae, and West Nile Virus in horses. Updates were provided by the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, including staffing changes and new testing services. Legislative updates, USDA actions, and the state of zoonotic diseases were also addressed. The Board's budget for FY26 was reviewed, and updates were given on wild deer, wild turkey health, and PFAS in Minnesota Wildlife. The meeting also covered poultry diseases, research results on H5N1 in dairy farms, and related research projects at UMN. Finally, the board went into a closed session to conduct hearings on two compliance cases.

The meeting included updates on the Board of Animal Health's activities, budget, and legislative session. Key topics discussed were the Biosecurity Compliance Audit Program, the potential for HPAI vaccines, and the spread of African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease. Updates were provided on the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the USDA's actions regarding HPAI. The Minnesota Department of Health provided an update on human cases of H5N1 and antimicrobial resistance. The MDA Milk Sampling Surveillance Program and poultry disease updates were also presented. The board also discussed the appointment of the Executive Director and Board Officer Elections. Lastly, closed hearings were conducted regarding producers not in compliance with statute governing cervid farms.

The first public listening session focused on rulemaking for farmed cervidae. Discussion included required information for official ear tags, stricter rules for cervid carcass transportation and escapees, and improved farmed cervid identification. Concerns were raised about the composition of the Advisory Committee and the Board's enforcement authority. The session also addressed liability for hunters who kill escaped farmed cervids and the need for immediate notification of escaped cervids to the Commissioner of Natural Resources.

The session focused on proposed rule changes for farmed cervidae, specifically addressing fencing height requirements, CWD management zone boundaries, and exclusionary fencing timelines. Producers expressed concerns about the cost and practicality of increasing fence heights, the rationale for expanding the CWD management zone, and the 14-day timeframe for installing exclusionary fencing. Discussions also covered the weight given to producer input versus other public comments, the definition of a CWD management zone, and the consequences of missed CWD tests. The need for clearer communication and collaboration between producers, the Board of Animal Health, the DNR, and tribes was emphasized.