The state's effort to become home to a Mid-Atlantic animal import-export center has taken a step closer to reality.
A recent feasibility study has recommend that a proposed $60 million animal quarantine center be located near Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
The center, which would primarily serve the horse industry, would be like a holding pen where animals coming into or leaving the country would stay for three to five days while being checked for diseases.
The stay is required by federal regulations aimed at preventing the spread of contagious diseases.
The process of picking a site for the facility dates back to 2002 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued proposed regulations to establish a new animal center that would complement operations in California, Florida and New York.
"The time it takes to ship a horse overseas begins from the time that animal leaves the barn to the time it plants its hoof in the soil of its new home. Adding a five to 15 hour van ride on top of the time in flight is not cost effective and causes additional stress on the animals being shipped," said state Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson.
He added: "A permanent Mid-Atlantic Animal Import and Export Center could reduce the cost of shipment for horse owners and buyers, and reduce the stress on transported horses thereby increasing the overall condition and productivity of animals shipped overseas."
Maryland horse farm operators have said that a new center closer to home would be a boon to their industry.
It would open doors to markets in other parts of the world and stimulate horse sales overseas.
Horse farm operators have complained that shipping horses from New York, California or Florida adds to the cost and makes Maryland stock less attractive to foreign buyers.
According to the study by Owl Creek Consulting of Berlin, a center near the airport would be feasible if coupled with another entity such as a state laboratory or animal health center.
The shipment of horses is usually a seasonal activity with most of the action taking place in December and January.
Operating the import and export center jointly with another entity could better utilize staff and optimize operations, according to the study.
Horses are big business in Maryland. According to information from the state Department of Agriculture's Horse Industry Board Web site:
