Regulatory

Snakes that squeeze and venomous reptiles must now be kept under lock and key in North Carolina.

Washington -- A new government study says the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) didn't adequately assess the biosecurity and economic risks of moving the Plum Island, N.Y., animal-disease research lab to a Kansas State University site in Manhattan, Kan.

Washington -- The Senate voted this week to slash funding for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) developed by the Department of Agriculture as a means of protecting the nation's food supply.

The USDA has filed an injunction against Teva Animal Health Inc. leaders.

Sacramento - Legislators moved forward on a bill that would loosen its licensing practices to increase the number of veterinarians in the state.

Washington - Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would create a new Division of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health at the federal level and invest monies to help solve work-force shortages in government and food-animal markets.

A new federal bill seeks to ban some uses of antibiotics for food-animals because they are considered too important for human health.

A ballot issue that would create a statewide board standardizing livestock housing is a step in the right direction.

Washington -- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) again delayed implementation of its new rules to fight identity theft. The enforcement date for the controversial Red Flags rule is now Nov. 1, 2009, the agency reports today in a prepared statement.

Washington -- With the backing of the Obama administration, a new measure introduced in the U.S. House seeks to ban non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics for food animals because they are too important for human health.

Sacramento -- In a proactive measure aimed at increasing the number of practicing veterinarians in California, legislators moved forward a bill that will require the state to loosen its licensing practices.

A new bill will prevent cities and counties from passing laws banning state-approved veterinary medical procedures.

Washington -- Starting Aug. 3, imported horses can be quarantined in permanent, privately owned facilities.

Washington - Reopening of U.S. processing plants is among the four most popular solutions suggested for dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted horses, according to a new survey.

Gainesville, Fla. - The University of Florida veterinary college's pleas to state legislators and the university for minimal budget cuts achieved results.

National Report - The nation's last three horse-slaughter plants have been shuttered since 2007, but new ones may start to open around the country in coming months.

Albany, N.Y. - New York veterinarians may have to certify some animal breeders if a bill is passed by state legislators.

Columbus, Ohio -- A ballot issue that would create a statewide board standardizing livestock housing is a step in the right direction, according to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

Baton Rouge, La. -- Tuition may be going up $1,500 a year at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine next year if state legislators have their way.

Amarillo, Texas -- A Texas senator believes a new veterinary school, or a large-animal program, might be what it takes to increase the number of food-animal veterinarians in his state.

Horse owners open to reopening of U.S. processing plants, according to survey.

A California Senate bill that would have placed limits on antibiotic use in food animals has failed.

National Report -- Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health just introduced Nobivac Lyme -- a vaccine specifically designed to provide protection by targeting two key outer-surface proteins involved in the transmission of canine Lyme disease, the company says.

Sacramento, Calif. -- As a result of Proposition 2, which bans gestational crates, veal crates and battery cages, the state Legislature is considering a new bill that would limit the import of eggs.

National Report -- North Dakota and Oklahoma are the latest to join a growing number of states that have passed laws to make things easier for veterinary volunteers during declared emergencies.

New York -- Misuse of spot-on flea-and-tick control products poses the greatest risk to cats, according to ASPCA?s Animal Poison Control Center.

Montana now allows horse-processing plants to be built within its borders, and a handful of other states soon may do likewise.

Ohio wants to keep the breed from being labeled as inherently vicious.