MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representative Shows

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-15-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A MICROCHIP IN EQUINE IN CONNECTION WITH THE COGGINS TEST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 69-15-117, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-15-117. (1) The owner or possessor of an equine, as defined in Section 95-11-3, shall not take the equine into any state or local government facility or multipurpose building where animals are housed or held for exhibits, shows or sales unless the owner or possessor displays to the operator of the facility a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian showing that the equine is free of equine infectious anemia. A Coggins test must have been performed within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the exhibit, show or sale. The use of a microchip in equine in connection with the Coggins test is expressly prohibited. Shows on privately owned property are exempt from this act.

(2) The Board of Animal Health shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this section.

(3) Any person violating this section or the rules and regulations promulgated under this section by the Board of Animal Health is subject to the penalties provided in Section 69-15-65.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.