192 /Department of Agriculture

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN COMMITTEE
Irving E. Herling, D.V.M., Chairperson
(410) 841-5862

In 1984, the Veterinary Technician Committee was
organized as part of the State Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners (Chapter 640, Acts of 1984).
Subject to Board approval, the Committee registers
and regulates veterinary technicians. It determines the
qualifications for applicants, recommends the content
and form of examinations, and establishes continuing
education requirements for veterinary technicians.
The Committee also defines duties and responsibilities
of registered veterinary technicians.
The Committee consists of seven members ap-
pointed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
Agriculture.

STATE BOARD OF INSPECTION OF
HORSE RIDING STABLES
Virginia B. Thackeray, Chairperson, 1996
Robin Miller, Inspector
(410) 841-5861

Created in 1968, the State Board of Inspection
of Horse Riding Stables was transferred from the
Department of Licensing and Regulation to the
Department of Agriculture in 1980 (Chapter 474,
Acts of 1968; Chapter 618, Acts of 1980). The
Board licenses all horse riding stables where one or
more horses or ponies are let for hire to be ridden
or driven. It also licenses sales barns, establishments
that stable five or more horses for pay, and estab-
lishments where annually five or more horses are
sold.
With the approval of the Secretary of Agricul-
ture, the Board may appoint a qualified inspector
and designate officers of county humane societies,
societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals,
and licensed veterinarians to act as its agents and
make inspections.
The Board consists of five members appointed
to four-year terms by the Governor with the advice
of the Secretary of Agriculture. One member is a
licensed veterinarian, two are officers of county
humane societies, one is an owner of a licensed
stable, and one is a public member. Authorization
for the Board continues until July 1, 2001 (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 2-701 through 2-719).

EGG INSPECTION, GRADING, & GRAIN
Deanna Baldwin, Supervisor
(410) 841-5769

In 1992, the Grading Services and Egg Inspec-
tion Section merged with the Grain Laws Section
to form Egg Inspection, Grading, and Grain. The
Section inspects and grades fruits, vegetables, grain,
soybeans, and poultry at their production sites.

Graders follow U.S. Department of Agriculture
grading regulations and affix federal grading stamps
to products that meet quality standards (Code Ag-
riculture Article, secs. 10-501 through 10-909).
The Section is responsible for the quality of eggs
produced, distributed, and sold in Maryland. The
Salmonella Enteriditis Program, enforced by the
Section, requires that all eggs sold in Maryland must
come from flocks of chickens which have been reg-
istered and tested. Inspections made by inspectors
from the Department of Health and Mental Hy-
giene are reviewed by the Section. The Section
developed the first program in the United States to
trace eggs from flock to consumer, a program now
copied by other states.
The Section enforces the restricted egg sections
of the federal Egg Law. Restricted eggs are those
not suitable for consumption due to cracks, blood
spots, leaks, or other problems. All restricted eggs
removed from consumer packs of eggs must be
documented as to disposition. The Section removes
from sale any eggs that do not meet federal and
State standards (Code Agriculture Article, secs.
4-201 through 4-312).
The Section also licenses grain dealers. All bona
fide grain dealers in the State, as defined by law, are
required to register and secure an annual license (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 13-201 through 13-215).

WEIGHTS & MEASURES SECTION
Louis E. Straub, Chief
(410) 841-5790

The first Maryland law to regulate measures was
enacted in 1641 (Chapter 2, Acts of 1641). At that
time, the county sheriff was entrusted with the
responsibility. The Weights and Measures Section
continues to maintain and safeguard the State's
primary standards as well as secondary standards
and equipment for the enforcement of Maryland's
Weights and Measures Law. The Section's Metrol-
ogy Laboratory provides a wide variety of highly
sophisticated measurements and calibrations in
mass, volume, length, and thremometry.
The Section supervises the use and production
of weighing and measuring devices, weights and
measures, and packaged commodities offered for
sale, sold, or in use in the State. This supervision
extends to the methodology used to obtain accu-
rate measurement and provides a means for value
comparisons for consumers.
The Section licenses and tests personnel who
determine butterfat content for dairies and milk
cooperatives and personnel who calibrate farm milk
tanks. It administers and enforces State laws for
ensuring accuracy, equity, and the prevention of
fraud in the sale and measurement of quantities,
commodities, goods, or services (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 11-101 through 11-509).