Regulations – Organization of the Board of Animal Health

In accordance with section 69-15-2 of the Mississippi Code Annotated, the Board of Animal Health is composed of 16 members. Five members are ex officio with full voting rights and the remaining 11 members are appointed by the governor from various groups as provided by law. The five ex officio members consist of the commissioner of agriculture and commerce, the dean of the college of veterinary medicine and the heads of the animal and dairy science and poultry science departments at Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science and one person appointed by the President of Alcorn State University from its land grant staff. The governor appoints the eleven other members to four-year terms as follows:

1. one licensed and practicing veterinarian who holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree, from a written list of three recommendations submitted by the State Veterinary Medical Association;
2. one general farmer from a list of three recommendations of the Farm Bureau Federation;
3. one poultry breeder and producer from a list of three recommendations submitted by the Poultry Improvement Association;
4. one sheep breeder and producer from a list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Sheep Producers’ Association;
5. one beef cattle breeder and producer from a list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association;
6. one swine breeder and producer from a written list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Pork Producers’ Association;
7. one dairy breeder and producer submitted from a written list of three recommendations from the American Dairy Association of Mississippi;
8. one horse breeder and [producer from a written list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Horse Council;
9. one catfish breeder and producer from a written list of three recommendations from the Mississippi Catfish Association;
10. one member of the Mississippi Independent Meat Packers’ Association from a list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Meat Pacers’ Association; one member of the Mississippi Livestock Auction Association from a written list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Livestock Auction Association; and
11. one member of the Mississippi Livestock Auction Association from a written list of three recommendations submitted by the Mississippi Livestock Auction Association.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and one appointee of the Lieutenant Governor and one appointee of the Speaker of the House of Representatives compose the advisory council created by the Legislature to advise the Board of Animal Health on matters concerning the board.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

The law authorizes the Board to deal with all contagious and infectious diseases of animals as set out in section 69-15-9 of the Mississippi Code Annotated that may be prevented, controlled or eradicated and to that end, the Board is authorized to promulgate and enforce regulations necessary to control, eradicate and prevent the spread of diseases of animals in the State of Mississippi. The board is authorized to establish and maintain quarantine lines by county, supervisor’s district, parcel of land and premises.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

The State Veterinarian is an officer of the executive branch of state government appointed by the board from a list of not less than three licensed veterinarians submitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. Section 69-15-7. The law provides that the State Veterinarian shall be a licensed and practicing veterinarian, shall hold a Degree of Veterinary Medicine from a recognized college or university, and shall have been engaged in the practice of veterinary science for not less than ten years prior to his appointment. The State Veterinarian serves at the will and pleasure of the board.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

The law authorizes the State Veterinarian to appoint inspectors and range riders and to delegate authority to said inspectors and range riders to enter premises to inspect and disinfect livestock and premises and enforce quarantines.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Regular meetings of the board members of the Board of Animal Health shall be held without notice at 9:30 o’clock A.M. on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in the months of January, April, July and October of each year. Said meetings shall be held at the Agriculture Building, 121 N. Jefferson St., Jackson , Mississippi, unless stated otherwise.

Special meetings shall be called by the chairman at the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce on three (3) days’ written notice, or by a majority vote of the entire board on three (3) days’ written notice. Notice may be given by mail, facsimile or electronically. Said meetings shall be held at the Agriculture Building in Jackson , unless stated otherwise.

(Rule 106 adopted August 13, 1998. Amended July 16, 2007.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

The Board of Animal Health may be contacted in person, by U.S. Mail, Courier mail, e- mail, telephone, and telefacsimile. The Board of Animal Health maintains and provides interactive services on the Internet at www.mbah.state.ms.us).

1. Location. The Board maintains offices in Jackson at the following location:

121 North Jefferson Street
Jackson, MS 39201
This location houses the state veterinarian and support staff.

2. The mailing address for the Board of Animal Health is:

P.O. Box 3889
Jackson, MS 39207

3. The Board of Animal Health’s telephone and facsimile numbers are:

Office: 601-359-1170
FAX: 601-359-1177

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.