In a statement posted on Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee page for a hearing Wednesday, one of the players in Minnesota's discussion about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has revealed its ignorance about citizens of the state's sovereign tribes.
The document (part of the tweets below) drew the attention of Mendota Heights Democrat Ruth Richardson and comment by the bill's co-author.
Here is Richardson's tweet:
A thread! This letter posted to the web site of the House Agricultural Finance and Policy Committee is an example of the pushback we get in MN when we make a genuine effort to be a more inclusive state and to build equity into our policymaking. pic.twitter.com/WgKYBKDEli
— Ruth Richardson (@RuthForHouse) February 17, 2021
Bill co-author Jamie Becker-Finn, Roseville, DFL, a Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe descendant, and a lawyer, quote tweeted:
The “Deer farmers Assn” can’t even be bothered to learn that tribal membership is a legal designation, not “a certain race or ethnicity”.
— Jamie Becker-Finn (@jbeckerfinn) February 17, 2021
To publicly submit this letter to a #mnleg committee highlights the stunning level of ignorance that’s been the norm for way too long https://t.co/coduJHV865
Learn more
On the Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee agenda for Wednesday, February 17, 2021:
I. Program/budget reviews: Board of Animal Health (BAH)
- Dr. Beth Thompson, Executive Director, BAH
II. HF138 (Sundin) Board of Animal Health required to have one member from federally recognized tribe . . .
Dr. Thompson's presentation about the Board of Animal Health can be previewed here: BAH Budget Presentation. The mission of the BAH:
In 1903, the Minnesota Live Stock Sanitary Board was established. Since then, the agency’s name has changed but its mission has not. Over the years the Minnesota Board of Animal Health has worked with producers, veterinarians and other agencies to eradicate diseases such as pseudorabies, brucellosis, mycoplasma gallisepticum and bovine tuberculosis.
We continue to monitor animal health in Minnesota by conducting surveillance testing for diseases like chronic wasting disease, influenza in poultry, and scrapie. In addition, we are constantly preparing to respond to animal disease events by conducting emergency planning exercises and improving our ability to track livestock.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is to protect the health of the state’s domestic animals through education and cooperation with veterinarians, producers, owners and communities. . . .
While the mission statement stresses livestock health, the BAH also oversees dog and cat commercial breeders and kennels, along with dealing with diseases like rabies that afflict pets.
Follow the link to learn more about HF138.
At 1:00 p.m., the Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy committee will meet today (watch on the Minnesota House Information Services Live Video HTV 3 at that time).
Photo: The current board members of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Via BAH website.
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