(a) Definitions:
(1) High risk area or county--An area or county that
is epidemiologically judged to have a high probability for equine
having or developing Equine Piroplasmosis.
(2) Hold Order--A document restricting movement of
a herd, unit, or individual animal pending the determination of its
Piroplasmosis disease status.
(3) Individual herd test plan--A written plan developed
between the Commission and the owner for testing one or more equine
for Piroplasmosis, and the management of any positive or exposed equine.
(b) Order to Test Equine in a High Risk County or Area
for Piroplasmosis. The Executive Director of the Commission may issue
an order for equine to be tested in a high risk area or county based
on sound epidemiological principles for disease detection, control,
and eradication. The epidemiological criteria used for designating
an area or county as high risk may include the presence of disease
vectors (ticks), multiple positive animals in the area, and common
husbandry and animal use practices that could lead to disease exposure.
(c) The order shall contain the following elements:
(1) The epidemiological criteria for which the order
is being issued.
(2) A description of the area or county determined
to be high risk that enables a person to identify the area and determine
if a premise(s) is included in the area.
(3) A statement that movement of equine is prohibited,
if the Executive Director determines the threat of disease spread
warrants such action.
(4) Any exceptions, terms, conditions, or provisions
prescribed under this chapter must be stated in the order.
(5) State the class of persons authorized by the Commission
or the Executive Director to issue certificates or permits permitting
movement.
(6) Any authorized movement certificate or permit must
be issued in conformity with the requirements stated in the quarantine
notice:
(A) The Executive Director may provide for a written
certificate or written permit authorizing the movement of equine from
locations where the equine have been restricted.
(B) The certificate or permit must be issued by a veterinarian
or other person authorized by the Commission to issue a certificate
or permit.
(d) If the order prohibits the movement of any equine
until tested negative for the disease, the Executive Director may
prescribe:
(1) any exceptions;
(2) terms;
(3) conditions; or
(4) provisions that the Executive Director considers
necessary or desirable to promote the objectives of this chapter or
to minimize the economic impact of the equine without endangering
those objectives or the health and safety of other equine.
(e) Testing Procedures:
(1) All equine located or maintained in an area shall
be presented for testing. An individual herd test plan will be developed
if a test date is not established within a reasonable time as determined
by the Executive Director.
(2) All equine to be added to the herd shall be tested
prior to commingling with the herd.
(3) All stray equine found in the area shall be presented
for testing by the caretaker of the property where located.
(4) Equine identified as positive shall be removed
in accordance with §49.5 of this chapter (relating to Piroplasmosis:
Testing, Identification of Infected Equine).
(f) Publication of Notice. The Executive Director shall
give notice of the order:
(1) by publishing notice in a newspaper published in
the county in which the quarantine is established; or
(2) by delivering a written notice to the owner or
caretaker of the animals or places to be quarantined.
(g) Procedure to Protest the Individual Herd Test Plan.
A person may protest an initial test or a herd plan for testing their
equine for Piroplasmosis after consultation with the state or federal
veterinarian assigned to the testing:
(1) To protest, the herd owner must request a meeting,
in writing, with the Executive Director of the Commission within 15
days of receipt of the herd plan or notice of an initial test and
set forth a short, plain statement of the issues that shall be the
subject of the protest, after which:
(A) the meeting will be set by the Executive Director
no later than 21 days from receipt of the request for a meeting;
(B) the meeting or meetings shall be held in Austin;
and
(C) the Executive Director shall render his decision
in writing within 14 days from date of the meeting.
(2) Upon receipt of a decision or order by the Executive
Director which the herd owner wishes to appeal, the herd owner may
file an appeal within 15 days in writing with the chairman of the
commission and set forth a short, plain statement of the issues that
shall be the subject of the appeal.
(3) The subsequent hearing will be conducted pursuant
to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register
Act, and Chapter 32 of this title (relating to Hearing and Appeal
Procedures).
(4) If the Executive Director determines, based on
epidemiological principles, that immediate action is necessary, the
Executive Director may shorten the time limits, as set out in paragraph
(1)(A) and (B) of this subsection, to not less than five days. The
herd owner must be provided with written notice of any time limits
so shortened.
|