Texas Animal Health Commission

History

One of Texas' oldest agencies, the TAHC was formed on April 20, 1893, and was named the Texas Livestock Sanitary Commission (TLLC) until 1959. It was created to find solutions to babesiosis, a bovine disease. Governor Jim Hogg funded it biannually, with $20,000. To eradicate babesiosis, the TAHC created regulations, which included quarantining infected cattle. Members Caesar and Robert J. Kleberg Jr. helped discover methods to stop its spread. By 1993, the quarantine area shrunk to 1200 sqmi.

Alongside the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it helped end bovine tuberculosis, in Texas . Throughout its existence, it also stopped the spread foot-and-mouth disease in 1924. Eradicated Cochliomyia and classical swine fever from Texas, and brought the infection of equine infectious anemia from 750 to 25, from 1997 to 2017. In the 2000s, it successfully advocated for the recognition of several livestock diseases by the USDA.

Organization

At its inception, the TAHC had three commissioners, and a veterinarian, the salary of whom was capped at $10 per day. The number of members increased to six in 1955, to nine in 1973, and to twelve in 1983. The members were unpaid.

As of 2021, the TAHC is operated by thirteen commissioners, who serve six-year staggered terms. It is divided between six regions: Amarillo, Beeville, Laredo, Rockdale, Stephenville, and Sulphur Springs, which are overseen by the executive director, known as the 'State Veterinarian'.

References

References

1. "[http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/agency/contact.html Contact Information] {{Webarchive. link. (July 5, 2009 ." Texas Animal Health Commission. Retrieved on August 29, 2009.)
2. "[http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/agency/ About TAHC]." Texas Animal Health Commission. Retrieved on August 29, 2009.
3. (4 March 2021). "Texas Animal Health Commission".
4. Association, Texas State Historical. "History and Role of the Texas Animal Health Commission".
5. admin. (2020-11-11). "TAHC Marks 125 Years".
6. Association, Texas State Historical. "Caesar Kleberg: Pioneer of Wildlife Conservation and Ranching in Texas".