ex officio. Upon recommendation of the nine at-
large Trustees, the Secretary of Agriculture ap-
points the Executive Director (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 2-501 through 2-515).

OFFICE OF FOOD SAFETY
& CONSUMER SERVICES

Archibald B. Park, D.V.M., Assistant Secretary
for Food Safety & Consumer Services

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-5782

The Office of Food Safety and Consumer Serv-
ices began in 1973 as the Division of Animal Indus-
tries within the Department of Agriculture. By
1978, the Division was renamed the Office of
Animal Health and, by 1980, the Office of Animal
Health and Consumer Services. The Office was
reorganized under its present name in 1992.
The Office directs four sections: Agricultural
Statistics Service, Animal Health, Egg Inspection,
Grading and Grain, and Weights and Measures.
The Assistant Secretary also oversees the State
Board of Inspection of Horse Riding Stables and
the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

STATE BOARD OF INSPECTION OF
HORSE RIDING STABLES

Virginia B. Thackeray, Chair, 1996
Robin Miller, Inspector
(410) 841-5861

Formed in 1968, the State Board of Inspection
of Horse Riding Stables transferred from the De-
partment of Licensing and Regulation to the De-
partment 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 or where five
or more horses are sold annually.
With the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture,
the Board may appoint a qualified inspector and des-
ignate 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. Authorization for
the Board continues until July 1, 2001 (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 2-701 through 2-719).

STATE BOARD OF
VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Melvin D. Howard, D.V.M., President, 2000
Beverly A. Raymond, Inspector
(410) 841-5862

The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examin-
ers dates to 1894 (Chapter 273, Acts of 1894). The
Board examines candidates for licenses to practice
veterinary medicine in the State and judges their
qualifications. Annually, it registers veterinarians
and inspects veterinary hospitals. Upon complaints
of illegal or unethical practices or sanitary viola-
tions, the Board may conduct hearings and pass
judgment upon the charges. Court proceedings
may be instituted by the Board against persons
engaged in illegal practices.
The Board has seven members. They are ap-
pointed to five-year terms by the Governor upon
recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture
and with Senate advice and consent. Authorization
for the Board continues until July 1, 2001 (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 2-301 through 2-313).

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN COMMITTEE

Irving E. Herling, D.V.M., Chair
(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 responsibili-
ties of registered veterinary technicians.
The Committee's seven members are appointed
by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examin-
ers, with approval of the Secretary of Agriculture.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
M. Bruce West, State Statistician
(410) 841-5740

The Agricultural Statistics Service originated as
the Statistical Reporting Service in the mid-19th
century and received its present name in 1986. The
Service collects, summarizes, and publishes data
relating to the production and marketing of agri-
cultural products, agriculture prices and income,
and other statistics pertinent to agriculture and
agribusiness. State statistics generally are available
for acreage, yield, and production of major field
crops, vegetables, fruits, livestock, and poultry, and
monthly and seasonal or annual average prices, farm
expenditures, and labor. For some commodities the
Service also compiles county statistics.

The Service issues the following publications: