Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

A friend of mine who works state level Ag in a southwestern state works with 
NAIS regularly. It is his perception that the key issue is related to health 
safety for consumption of livestock, and the program is intended to address 
swine, sheep, cattle, etc., for mad cow disease, etc.  Horses are viewed by 
the federal level more as "not for consumption", and at the national level 
there is movement to make that change from "livestock" to "companion animal" 
official. Horses - other than voluntary participation for ID related to 
theft - are pretty much off the federal radar at this point.

There are issues related to horses being legally considered a companion 
animal, but this avenue may be a solution related to NAIS and livestock 
issues.

-Jorene

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pennbo's" <pennbo@verizon.net>
> This issue is being discussed in detail on another horse list. If anyone
> is interested I can relay some of the comments from a few people who in
> deeply into what it will mean to the equine world. In short I can say
> that I do NOT like what I am reading/hearing and it scares me to death
> that they will actually implement it statewide. At this point it appears
> to be up to each state to choose participation or not, of course the
> strings are there- if you say no some funding may disappear.
>
> Chris Pennington