Utah's House Bill 211, dubbed as "Agricultural Exemption Amendments," will soon become a law as the bill has been received by the House for Enrolling. The enrolled bill basically amends the duties of the state veterinarian, modifies definitions, enacts provisions related to certain animal enclosures and fences and makes technical changes.
Among the most important amendments is the removal of power from the State Veterinarian for the inspection of meat and poultry. The State Veterinarian can no longer direct the department's responsibilities or promotion of animal health, direct diagnosis, surveillance, and prevention of animal disease, livestock brand registration and inspection and aid the meat inspection manager whose duties are specified by the commissioner, in the direction of the inspection of meat and poultry and
perform other official duties assigned by the commissioner. The state veterinarian may not receive compensation for services provided while engaging in the private practice of veterinary medicine.
Warren Hess left Utah Department of Agriculture and Food during the last quarter of 2015 saying that there is malignant work environment and the administration's disregard of state law where he aired his sentiments against Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) Commissioner LuAnn Adams claiming that she had wrongfully taken away some of his duties and had appointed unqualified managers for meat and poultry inspection.
The modifications according to Hess are not in consonance with what was written in Utah state code. The irony is now is that a bill is making its way through the Legislature supporting those changes getting rid of the State Vet initiated by Commissioner LuAnn Adams.
Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, called HB211 a "housekeeping bill" for the UDAF. In stressing his point, he said, "It changes the wording to make sure we are accurately portraying what we want the state veterinarian to do, which is to be out in the field using his talents and abilities to take care of the industry as necessary."