Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) on Aug. 7 vetoed Senate Bill 976, which would have allowed an individual without a license issued by the Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board to verify whether cattle are pregnant.
In her veto letter, Kotek said the bill has good intent but has unintended potential consequences that prevent her from making it law. First, she said, the bill could reduce the certainty that livestock diseases detected by a licensed vet would be detected and reported. Second, she said the lack of new registration or licensing requirements in the bill could create a system where individuals are selling professional services without any oversight or education validation.
“I recognize the need to increase access to key veterinary services in rural parts of our state, especially for large animals,” Kotek said. “I believe that we can have continued conversations about how to meet the needs of rural Oregon while also ensuring the health of our cattle statewide.”
Opponents argued the legislation would have allowed them to pregnancy check cattle on their own operations.
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