-IR- Database Guide
-IR- Database: Indiana Register

TITLE 345 INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH

Notice of Public Hearing
LSA Document #14-235


Notice of Public Hearing

Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on October 9, 2014, at 9:40 a.m., at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 1202 East 38th Street, Discovery Hall Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health will hold a public hearing on a proposed rule that amends 345 IAC 1 governing the importation of live fish. The proposed rule requires a person moving live fish into the state that are a species susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) to obtain a permit. If the fish are from a VHS-affected or at-risk region, they must originate from a group of fish or facility certified as having tested negative for the VHS virus using appropriate standards and methods.
The state of Indiana is the only Great Lakes state that does not have a testing requirement for the importation of VHS-susceptible fish. If the Board of Animal Health does not establish a testing requirement, it could have negative consequences for Indiana's growing aquaculture industry. According to a 2012 Purdue University study, there were about 40 active fish producers in the state with total estimated farm sales of over $15 million dollars. Every day, these businesses are moving fish into and out of the state in interstate commerce. A VHS testing requirement that aligns with other states ensures that the fish being imported to Indiana are free of this disease and will not transmit it to other fish, which would have potentially devastating effects on Indiana aquaculture operations and their business investments. In addition to the above-stated benefits of this rule to the business competitiveness of the Indiana aquaculture industry, it also directly benefits the state's natural resources. If the Board of Animal Health does not proceed with the proposed rule, it could negatively impact the recreational fishing that occurs in lakes, rivers, and streams. According to Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the recreational fishing industry has a $750 million dollar annual economic impact for the state. A VHS testing rule plays a critical role in reducing the risk of introduction of this pathogen into waters of the state.
Copies of the data referenced above are now on file at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 1202 East 38th Street, Discovery Hall Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.
Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, 1202 East 38th Street, Discovery Hall Suite 100 and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.

Bret D. Marsh, D.V.M.
Indiana State Veterinarian
Indiana State Board of Animal Health

Posted: 09/17/2014 by Legislative Services Agency

DIN: 20140917-IR-345140235PHA
Composed: Mar 29,2024 5:28:42AM EDT
A PDF version of this document.