Veterinary-Client-Patient Bill (SP85) Advances After Substitute Adoption; Sponsors Cite Antibiotic-Residue Concerns

Sponsor introduced SP85, a bill to establish a clear veterinary-client-patient relationship definition and requirements for veterinarians to prescribe medications. The sponsor said stakeholders including the state veterinary medical association, cattlemen, poultry and extension veterinarians reviewed and suggested wording changes.

The sponsor said the substitute adopted industry language for the definition of "emergency" and explained the bill's primary policy purpose: to reduce antibiotic misuse and prevent antibiotic residues from entering the food chain by requiring a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship for prescribing. The sponsor described how such a relationship is established, saying it requires veterinarian contact within a year and an examination of a representative sample of the herd or flock so the veterinarian is familiar with the operation.

A committee member asked how new farmers without an established one-year relationship would be served; the sponsor replied that a relationship can be established when the farmer first gets started and that the requirement is forward-looking rather than retroactive.

The committee adopted the substitute and voted a favorable report; the sponsor invited any additional concerns for floor amendments.