Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on July 28, 2011, at 9:40 a.m., at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Farm Bureau Building, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that will establish standards of care for livestock and poultry.

Beginning January 1, 2011, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health is authorized to establish standards of care for livestock and poultry (IC 15-17-3-23). The Board is proposing standard of care requirements because providing adequate care for livestock and poultry benefits the animals and livestock and poultry farmers. Providing adequate care for livestock and poultry benefits the animals. Livestock and poultry are dependent on humans for basic care that will enable them to survive. Deficient care may result in discomfort, pain, and suffering of the animals. The rule will provide guidance to livestock and poultry producers that will improve the care for some livestock and poultry, reducing discomfort, pain, and suffering in animals. The rule will provide the BOAH an avenue to investigate and address deficient care situations thereby reducing discomfort, pain, and suffering in animals.

Providing adequate care for livestock and poultry benefits livestock and poultry farmers. Animals in a deteriorated condition caused by deficient care will lose market value. Livestock and poultry that die before they are slaughtered have no market value. Sufficient care will maintain or increase the market value of animals benefiting the owners of these animals. The rule will provide guidance to livestock and poultry producers that will aid them in making decisions about livestock and poultry care. The rule will provide an avenue to address deficient care situations outside of the criminal justice system that may benefit some farmers.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 4154 North Keystone Avenue and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.