tahc

Texas Animal Health Commission

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was established in 1893 as the Livestock Sanitary Commission and charged with protecting the state's domestic animals "from all contagious or infectious diseases of a malignant character."

Today, TAHC remains true to this charge while evolving with the times to protect the health and marketability of all Texas livestock and poultry, including:

  • cattle
  • swine
  • poultry
  • sheep
  • goats
  • equine family animals
  • exotic livestock

The TAHC also works to keep pests from reoccurring as major livestock health hazards. Ultimately, the TAHC's mission and role is the assurance of marketability and mobility of Texas livestock. The TAHC works to sustain and continue to make a vital contribution to a wholesome and abundant supply of meat, eggs, and dairy products at affordable costs.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has legislative authority to make and enforce regulations to prevent, control, and eradicate specific infectious animal diseases which endanger livestock. TAHC regulations are made and adopted by 13 governor-appointed commissioners who represent the general public and various livestock industries and professions. The commissioners serve staggered six-year terms and meet as needed to study the regulatory needs of the agency, review public comments on proposed regulation changes, and adopt new rules when necessary.

Agency headquarters are in Austin. Six region offices are strategically located across the state so the staff can work more effectively with ranchers, livestock markets and slaughter plant personnel, and other livestock industry representatives.


Agency Vision

Through the cooperative efforts of the Texas Animal Health Commission, animal producers, and allied industry groups, the animal population of Texas is healthy and secure.


Agency Mission

The mission of the Texas Animal Health Commission is:

  • to protect the animal industry from, and/or mitigate the effects of domestic, foreign and emerging diseases;
  • to increase the marketability of Texas livestock and poultry commodities at the state, national, and international level;
  • to promote and ensure animal health and productivity;
  • to protect human health from animal diseases and conditions that are transmissible to people; and
  • to prepare for and respond to emergency situations involving animals.

The agency accomplishes this mission by conducting agency business in a responsive, cooperative, and transparent manner.


Agency Philosophy

The Texas Animal Health Commission will carry out its mission with honesty, openness, and efficiency. We will use the best available resources, technology, and trained personnel to achieve the agency goals. We will listen to and respect the opinions and concerns of the people of Texas. We will encourage and promote open communication between all parties. We will strive to continuously develop new or enhance existing relationships among government, industry, and private citizens to realize our vision of a healthy and secure animal population in Texas.


Agency Strategic Plans


Finance, Budget, & Appropriations Information

Operating Budgets

Legislative Appropriations Requests

Annual Financial Reports


Internal Audit Reports

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) conducts internal audits in accordance with the Texas Internal Auditing Act (Texas Government Code, ยง2102.008). The internal audits are designed to provide a review of all areas considered risky. Audits are conducted in accordance with the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) Government Auditing Standards, and conforms with the Institute of Internal Auditor's (IIA) International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The scope of the internal audit work is to ensure compliance with the Texas Agriculture Code, and TAHC rules, policies, and procedures, as well as all applicable federal and state laws.

The internal audit reports are presented, reviewed, and approved by the Audit Subcommittee. For more information regarding audit subcommittee meetings, visit the TAHC Open Meetings webpage.

Date Audit Report
August 15, 2022 Cash Receipts and Fee Processing
July 26, 2022 Amarillo Region
December 7, 2021 Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Plan
September 21, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021 Internal Audit Annual Report
August 2021 Program Records
Rockdale Region
Sulphur Springs Region
December 7, 2020 Open Records Requests
September 22, 2020 Stephenville Region
Fiscal Year 2021 Audit Plan
June 23, 2020 Cash Disbursements
July 3, 2019 Vehicle Fleet Management
May 21, 2019 Performance Measures
December 11, 2018 Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Audit Report
Fiscal Years 2019-2020 Audit Plan
August 7, 2018 Personnel Processes
Region 8 Office (Laredo TX)
Information Systems - Security
August 22, 2017 Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Audit Report
Region 3 Office (Ft Worth TX)
Region 2 Office (Hempstead TX)
Internal Audit Report Follow-ups
December 13, 2016 Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Audit Report
Fiscal Years 2017-2018 Audit Plan
August 23, 2016 Region 1 Office (Amarillo TX)
Follow-up - Region 5 Office
Internal Audit Report - Follow up - Post Payment Audit
May 24, 2016 Audit of Federal Funds Management
February 16, 2016 Information Systems : Business Continuity
Region 4 Office - Mt Pleasant
State Federal Laboratory
FY 2015 Annual Audit Report
June 9, 2015 Region 7 Office - Rockdale
Program Records
January 27, 2015 FY 2014 Annual Audit Report
September 16, 2014 Emergency Management
May 13, 2014 Budget Process
January 14, 2014 FY 2014 Audit Plan
Region 5 Office - Beeville
September 10, 2013 FY 2013 Annual Audit Report