Marte questions DOHMH on independent vet inspection pilot program
Marte asks about the independent veterinarian inspection process. Schiff describes a late-2025 pilot program where one vet responded to a solicitation and examined 12 horses, with some limitations due to the stable environment.
Thank you, Chair.
Last year, the Department of Health ordered an independent veterinarian to inspect the stables and test the horses.
What was the process in choosing that veterinarian?
In late 2025, the health department undertook a pilot initiative to conduct exams, clinical exams, as part of our stable inspection.
So we put out a solicitation broadly to sending it to equine veterinarians we could identify in New York State and the surrounding states.
There was one response.
Okay.
And so you say that this veterinarian was completely independent from the administration, willing to do the work with an independent mindset?
The veterinarian who responded to the solicitation met the requirements of the solicitation, which was that they were not, we wanted someone who was not engaged already in the industry.
And can you elaborate on the investigation and the findings of the veterinarian?
The veterinarian did an assessment of 12 horses, and following the same,
the administrative code sets out, really, a lot of the details, the details for the assessment that a veterinarian needs to do of the horse to show that the horse is fit to work in the industry.
And so this veterinarian was doing that same assessment with the caveat that these assessments were conducted in the stable.
So there were some limitations because of that environment.
And is 12 an average amount of inspection of horses that typically happen, or is that far below the average if someone were to go and investigate fully the stables and the horses?
The pilot program that we did at the end of 2025 looked at, was completed for 12 horses.
Okay.
I have a question for Mr.
Ortiz.
Would the administration be open to a shorter phase-out period if we included worker protections that will allow workers to find new employment sooner?
I think we would have to discuss.
I'm certainly encouraged by the perspective of ensuring that we have pathways for workers.
I think on balance, we'd have to review the bill in totality to see if a shorter phase-out is accomplished.
It was something we can accomplish.
But I think we're very much open to ideas right now on the table for this.