Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law today SB 278 which will establish a two-year trial merger of the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) into the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA).  The move will allow greater efficiency within the animal health industry to be better stewards of available resources while maintaining the vital authority of the KBVE.

Mark Olson, DVM, who served as chairman of the task force to establish the trial merger of KBVE and KDA, noted this important action.  “With the signing of this bill into law, the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners will retain authority to carry out its statutory duties, and will work toward possible greater efficiency and coordination with the Kansas Department of Agriculture,” he said.

Dr. Bill Brown, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner, believes that this move will be beneficial to the Kansas animal health industry.

“This trial merger for the next two years will demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency that can be possibly be achieved by working under the umbrella of the Kansas Department of Agriculture,” Brown said.  “The intent of the merger is to promote consistency and efficiency in policy making and administration of the veterinary and animal health industries, while allowing the board to continue to retain responsibility and authority in regulating the practice of veterinary medicine.  It is important that we provide the utmost service to the working veterinarians in Kansas.”

The Kansas animal agriculture industry contributes $10.6 billion annually to the Kansas economy and is growing in many sectors, including the dairy industry.

 

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