The equine industry has recently faced increasing challenges from infectious disease transmission and a lack of traceability in the equine marketplace. The majority of horses that are sold through auctions in Pennsylvania are sold using falsified documents that report in-state status due to record keeping requirements being lower than for horses that come from out of state. This presents additional risk for biosecurity and traceability in the equine marketplace.

I am seeking your support in introducing legislation that would require any equine sold by a dealer in Pennsylvania to retain records including a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Test, a record of any identification methods such as tattoos, brands, or microchips, an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection for horses coming from outside of Pennsylvania, and other records as appropriate.

These requirements are intended to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission, including EIA, and to create consistent documentation of equine sales facilitated by auctions. Equine auctions and dealer transactions represent key points of animal movement where disease spread can occur, and establishing these documentation standards will strengthen Pennsylvania’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to potential outbreaks while aligning intrastate practices with interstate animal health requirements. In addition to improving animal health protections, this legislation will enhance traceability in equine sales by ensuring that records follow animals through sale and distribution channels, supporting consumer confidence, responsible industry practices, and a more transparent equine marketplace.