(a) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). If either the Commission
or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues a quarantine or a prohibition
on susceptible species entering the state, that quarantine or prohibition
supersedes these rules for the quarantined species. This includes
white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule
deer (Odocoileus hemionus), black-tailed
deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), North
American elk or wapiti (Cervus Canadensis), red
deer (Cervus elaphus), Sika deer (Cervus Nippon), moose (Alces alces), and any associated subspecies
and hybrids or other cervid species determined to be susceptible to
CWD, which means an animal that has had a diagnosis of CWD confirmed
by means of an official test conducted by a laboratory approved by
USDA/APHIS shall obtain an entry permit from the Commission prior
to entering Texas. All mule deer and white-tailed deer are also required
to obtain an entry permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
in order to enter the state. All requests for entry must be made in
writing and accompanied with the information necessary to support
import qualifications of the animal(s). This should be received by
the TAHC at least ten working days prior to the proposed entry date.
The processing of the application can be expedited by assuring that
all of the necessary documentation has been provided and that the
necessary staff is available for review. The application must be accompanied
by an owner's statement stating that to his/her knowledge the animals
(or donor animals) to be imported have never come in contact with
equipment or resided on a premise where CWD was ever diagnosed.
(b) Requirements for entry. The applicant must identify
the herd of origin and the herd of destination on both the permit
application and the certificate of veterinary inspection. The cervid(s)
to be imported into this state, shall be identified to their herd
of origin by a minimum of two official/approved unique identifiers
to include, but not limited to, legible tattoo, USDA approved eartag,
breed registration, RFID device or other state approved permanent
identification methods. If a microchip is used for identification,
the owner shall provide the necessary reader. The shipment shall be
accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection completed by
an accredited veterinarian. Additionally, the applicant must provide
documentation showing that the animal(s) originate from a herd that
has successfully participated in a complete CWD herd certification
program that is in compliance with the interstate movement requirements
of the July 2012, USDA Edition of "Chronic Wasting Disease Program
Standards" and the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Parts 55
and 81, for a minimum of five years.
(c) Tuberculosis. No animal with a response to any
tuberculosis test is eligible for entry unless that animal is subsequently
classified negative for tuberculosis based upon an official tuberculosis
test, or is consigned directly to slaughter.
(1) Accredited-Free herds. Cervids that originate from
Accredited-Free herds may enter without further tuberculosis testing
provided they are accompanied by a certificate stating such cervids
originated from an Accredited-Free herd.
(2) Qualified herds. Cervids not known to be affected
with or exposed to tuberculosis that originate from Qualified herds
may enter if they are accompanied by a certificate stating that such
cervids originate from a qualified herd and have been classified negative
to an official tuberculosis test, which was conducted within 90 days
prior to the date of movement. If the qualifying herd test was administered
within 90 days of movement, the animal(s) do not require an additional
test.
(3) Monitored herds. These cervids not known to be
affected with or exposed to tuberculosis that originate from Monitored
herds may enter if they are accompanied by a certificate stating that
such cervids originate from a monitored herd and have been classified
negative to an official tuberculosis test, which was conducted within
90 days prior to the date of movement.
(4) All other herds. These cervids not known to be
affected with or exposed to tuberculosis that originate from all other
herds may enter if they are accompanied by a certificate stating that
such cervids have been classified negative to two official tuberculosis
tests, which were conducted no less than 90 days apart; that the second
test was conducted within 90 days prior to the date of movement; and
that the animals were isolated from all other members of the herd
during the testing period.
(5) Cervids less than 12 months of age that originate
from and were born in accredited, qualified, or monitored herds. These
cervids may enter without further tuberculosis testing provided they
are accompanied by a certificate stating that such cervids originated
from such herds and have not been exposed to cervids from a lower
status.
(6) American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZAA) accredited
facility. Cervids moving from an American Zoo and Aquarium Association
(AZAA) accredited facility directly to another facility accredited
by the AZAA are exempt from these entry requirements provided those
cervids being moved are not commingled with cervids from other sources
during the transfer. Cervids sold or transferred from an AZAA accredited
facility located either in Texas or another state to an owner/agent
in Texas, other than another AZAA accredited facility, must comply
with these testing requirements.
(7) TB restricted area in Michigan. Cervids originating
from the TB restricted zone(s) in Michigan shall be tested negative
for tuberculosis in accordance with the appropriate status requirements
as contained in Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 77, §§77.10
- 77.19, prior to entry with results recorded on the certificate of
veterinary inspection.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §51.10 adopted to be effective August 25, 2002, 27 TexReg 7515; amended to be effective March 16, 2005, 30 TexReg 1439; amended to be effective March 4, 2007, 32 TexReg 753; amended to be effective July 13, 2010, 35 TexReg 6064; amended to be effective February 5, 2013, 38 TexReg 497 |