Reps. Hune, Booher, Brandenburg, Gonzales, Green, Hildenbrand, Horn, Pastor, Shaffer, Sheen and Stahl offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 51.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan Department of Agriculture to amend the mandatory electronic animal identification program to be a voluntary program for Michigan’s agricultural businesses.

            Whereas, In response to concerns about how best to deal with problems regarding animal health, 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 a tool to allay undue fears and to isolate any health problems quickly; and

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

            Whereas, This program is part of the national identification efforts being worked on by the United States Department of Agriculture as a voluntary program; and

            Whereas, Other states across the country have implemented programs in response to information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture; and

            Whereas, As of this date, Michigan is the only state that has implemented a mandatory electronic animal identification program; and

            Whereas, A mandatory electronic animal identification program will put an undue financial hardship on many agricultural businesses within the state of Michigan; now, therefore be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Department of Agriculture to amend its electronic animal identification program to become a voluntary program; and be it further

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