NC Info Update: Veterinary Board to Propose Amendment Restricting Artificial Insemination in 2021

AKC Legislative Alert

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) is expected to have legislation filed in 2021 that would seek to amend the part of the state’s Veterinary Practice Act.

Currently, North Carolina law (NC GS § 90-187.10) defines what parties are required to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state.  That law also provides exemptions from that requirement, including subsection (6) that explicitly exempts, “Any person from providing for or assisting in the practice of artificial insemination [AI].”

NCVMB’s legislation would limit that exemption to apply only to those persons providing for or assisting in the practice of artificial insemination “in food or fiber animals.”  (See the minutes from the NCVMB’s July 2020 meeting, Legislative Committee Report on page 4.)  Should it be enacted, responsible breeders would no longer be permitted to perform AIs on their own animals.  Additionally, because the effort would also seek to limit facilities where AIs on companion animals could be performed only to those facilities owned by veterinarians, three canine reproductive centers currently operating in the state but not owned by veterinarians would be impacted. 

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is dedicated to preserving the future of purebred dogs; and strongly endorses the right to own, keep and breed dogs in a responsible and humane manner.  We support  reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who meet their responsibilities.  To those ends, AKC’s Government Relations Department (GR) is working with policymakers and impacted stakeholders in response to the NCVMB’s proposal.

The AKC Government Relations team encourages all responsible breeders and owners in North Carolina to become familiar with this issue in preparation for the 2021 legislative session.  AKC GR will provide future action alerts on this issue in a timely manner.  AKC GR also urges all responsible dog breeders and owners in North Carolina to reach out to their representatives ahead of the 2021 legislative session to introduce them to the importance and role of responsible dog owners and breeders in their community (see resources below).  To find out who represents you, visit www.akcgr.org and click on “Find Your Elected Officials”.

If you are not already receiving AKC’s Legislative Alerts, you may sign up here.  AKC’s Legislative Action Center provides an archive of legislative alerts, as well as tools and strategies that are useful in reaching out to legislators, like Communicating Effectively with Your Legislators and Making Your Contact Count.

AKC GR will continue to address and provide updates on this important issue as developments warrant.  For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Nov 27 2020. Filed under Breaking News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.