Equine Feed Check-off Proposal

1. Equine Feed Check-off Proposal

2. What is the Equine Feed Check-off? • Proposed assessment of 7.5 cents per 50 lb. bag ($3.00 per ton) of commercial feed labeled for equine use. • Monies generated from this assessment would be deposited in the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund. • Virginia Horse Industry Board (click here for more information on the VHIB) would utilize the funds to provide research, educational, and promotional support for the expansion of the Virginia equine industry.

3. Why generate new monies? • 170,000 horses in Virginia with overall value of $1.46 million according to a survey in 2001. • Growing industry & economic engine in Virginia agriculture. • Diversity of the equine industry – more needs than current funding.

4. How would the check-off be administered? • Feed manufacturers who produce and/or sell equine feed in Virginia would collect the assessment. • Feed manufacturers would remit $3.00 per ton of equine feed assessment along with their current inspection fee of seven cents per ton of commercial feed to Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Feb. 1 for the preceding year. • No new forms just some additional reporting requirements on existing form and remitting the equine assessment.

5. What is the process for implementing the equine feed check-off? • Legislation must pass General Assembly to authorize a referendum of equine owners whether they are favor of such assessment program. • The notice for the referendum would be published in both public and private publications throughout the Commonwealth. • All equine owners of voting age and signing an affidavit certifying that the individual is an equine owner would be eligible to vote.

6. All individuals meeting the qualifications would be either mailed a ballot or given notice of the location, date and time where they could cast their vote. • If a simple majority of those certified equine owners who vote, vote in the affirmative then the Governor would proclaim the referendum passed. • The check-off would be initiated in 180 days. • After the money is collected, the money would be deposited into the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund.

7. Options Regarding Who Pays For The Referendum • Legislatively require the monies be used from existing funds appropriated to the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund. • Assess the check-off before the referendum is conducted. • Request General Assembly to appropriate the funds to administer the referendum. • Equine Industry Group could front the funds and then be reimbursed if the check-off passes.

8. The Equine Feed Check-off Workgroup Conclusions • Make the certification process of equine owners simple to reduce costs. • Get commitments from major equine groups to notify their memberships of the referendum process. • Request the referendum costs be covered from the existing funds in the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund.

9. Why? • No equine group in Virginia is in a financial position to front the funds. • In last ten years or more, the General Assembly has never paid for the referendum. • It will be much more difficult to pass legislation implementing the check-off before a referendum is conducted. • More administrative burden on feed manufacturers to change systems to implement without certainty of the continuation of the assessment. • The funds designated for the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development fund are for research, promotion and education. The referendum would be a one time cost in order to generate more funds to carry out these purposes in an expanded capacity.

10. Final Steps to Moving Forward • Acquire support of these concepts from as many equine groups, clubs and members and possible. This includes the support of the Virginia Horse Industry Board. • Secure Patrons of the Legislation. • Educate Legislators. • Continue to educate the horse industry.