MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                       4039

For quite a few years, Maryland has been faced with
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). This matter was brought
to the attention of the horse industry but they expressed
little interest in developing a program. After seeing
that other states were developing a program that might
prevent the movement of Maryland horses interstate, the
industry approached us last year and requested our
assistance.

Many states moved into a similar program too swiftly
and found they had assumed a task much greater than their
potention and then had to withdraw and regroup with a
less extensive program. We have tried to take advantage
of the experience of other states and are moving slowly
to develop a workable program. We have regulations to
require certain procedures be followed when a positive
reactor is found to protect other horses from the
infection,

On March 18th a hearing was held on regulations to
require all horses entering the State, to have been
tested within the last year. (The Racing Commission is
requiring a yearly test of track entries). We have the
authority, through the last Legislature, to control the
public sale of horses in Maryland as soon as we can
develop plans. Your signing of House Bill 30 as soon as
possible would give us this authority. He are now
preparing regulations to require testing all horses in
shows. This is a very difficult program to develop and a
great deal of emotionalism is involved; it is felt we
must move cautiously.

The two bills mentioned earlier require the testing
of horses entering Maryland on a 6 months basis.
Virginia has a 12 months test as well as Pennsylvania.
New Jersey has just moved from a 6 months test to a 12
months requirement. We are attempting to be comparable
with surrounding states in our requirements as well as
work with the Racing Commission, although I understand
the Maryland Standards Breeders' requirements are 6
months.

We are attempting to evaluate very carefully our
development of this program. It is possible through
regulation to strengthen our requirements and even change
the testing period if we find it advisable. However, at
this time we would like to develop what we believe to be
practical regulations and avoid moving to a 6 months test
requirement as mandated by these two bills. I have
discussed this matter with the sponsor and explained our
position, which I believe he understands, and with the
inadequate wording in the bill, perhaps we could delay
this legislation to give our program a chance to work.

Sincerely,