Notice of Proposed Rules
Date of Proposal: March 20, 2006
Proposal Number: PRN 2006-74

Proposal Description:
Proposal Description: The proposal is to amend N.J.A.C. 13:71-23.8 to establish new rules for the administration of furosemide used to treat respiratory bleeding in harness race horses. Among other things, the proposed amendment sets the maximum allowable single dosage of furosemide at 500 milligrams. In addition, the allowable threshold level of furosemide in a horse is increased under the proposed amendment to 100 nanograms per milliliter of serum or plasma. The proposed amendment also changes the procedure for allowing a horse to be administered furosemide by allowing the trainer and a licensed, practicing veterinarian to determine that it is in the horse’s best interest to be placed on the “Furosemide List” and to provide notice of same to the State Veterinarian. The amendment also establishes conditions for the use of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) and Flunixin (Banamine), and establishes a threshold level for non-compliance and penalties resulting from a violation. The amendment sets conditions for the use of certain anti-ulcer medications, and identifies substances recognized as substances that may be present in post-race samples as a result of possible environmental contamination. The amendment incorporates recommendations of a national medication and testing consortium which will establish uniformity in neighboring racing states. The proposed amendment appears in the March 20, 2006 edition of the New Jersey Register.

Summary of Proposal:
A detailed summary of the proposed rule is posted on the New Jersey Racing Commission Web site at:

www.njpublicsafety.org/racing/proposed.html

Public Comment:
Public comment on the proposed rule will be accepted until
May 19, 2006. Please direct all comments to:

Michael Vukcevich, Deputy Director
New Jersey Racing Commission
Department of Law and Public Safety
P.O. Box 088, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0088

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