State commission checking livestock health at checkpoints in Tx Panhandle

AMARILLO, Texas (KEYU) -The Texas Animal Health Commission has inspection checkpoints at several locations in the Panhandle to make sure animals meet health standards.

“The Panhandle is a great farming community. Livestock (livestock health is our main focus) so it affects the entire agricultural industry, whether it’s cattle, chickens, goats, sheep and horses,” said Paul Fields, livestock investigator for the US Animal Health Commission. Texas.

Fields says that during inspections, a veterinary inspection certificate is required along with Coggins documentation for equine animals.

“If we don’t have health standards, this will greatly affect the economy and the agricultural industry, so that is the main overall focus. Just a healthy agriculture industry to make sure the economy and the food industry can move forward and be focused and in a good way,” Fields said.

Field says animals coming into the state will be used for consumption, making these inspections a vital part of the food industry and the overall economy.

With proper documentation, inspections should take no more than two or three minutes.