Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on July 25, 2013, at 9:45 a.m., at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Discovery Hall, Suite 100, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that will repeal a testing requirement for equine piroplasmosis of any equine animal that is entering the premises where a quarter horse or thoroughbred horse race meet is being held.

This rule was implemented to address an outbreak of the disease beginning in 2009 that was traced to horses in Indiana and other states. The purpose of the rule is to prevent piroplasmosis positive animals from entering Indiana racetracks where they may infect other animals. This rule was critical to surveillance efforts in the months following the U.S. outbreak. Due to the success of those efforts, the BOAH has determined that the costs associated with the requirement outweigh the benefits based upon the current national disease status. Repeal of this rule will remove a testing cost that is paid by owners of equines that are taking their horses to a quarter horse or thoroughbred race meet.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, Discovery Hall, Suite 100, 1202 East 38th Street and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.