| (a) Tuberculosis: This subchapter shall govern procedures
for the prevention, surveillance, control, management and eradication
of bovine tuberculosis in Texas. For the purpose of controlling and
eradicating tuberculosis the following documents are incorporated
by reference: The January 1, 2005, Edition of "Bovine Tuberculosis
Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules" (UM&R) and the Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 9, Parts 71, 77, and 161.
(b) Movement Restrictions: Whenever the Texas Animal
Health Commission (Commission) has reason to believe that any livestock
or exotic livestock have been exposed to or is infected with tuberculosis,
that premises and all livestock and exotic livestock thereon shall
have movement restricted, using either a "hold order" or "quarantine",
subject to a determination or results of tuberculosis test conducted
by authorized personnel or as directed by the Designated Tuberculosis
Epidemiologist or the Executive Director. Movement of livestock or
exotic livestock under movement restrictions must be authorized by
the Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist or the Executive Director
and accompanied by a written permit. The permit will list:
(1) the reactor tag number or official ear tag number
in the case of reactor, suspect, or exposed livestock;
(2) the owner's name and address;
(3) origin and destination locations;
(4) number of animals covered;
(5) the purpose of the movement; and
(6) if the animals are required to be shipped under
seal then the permit should also show the number on the seal. If a
change in destination becomes necessary, a new permit must be issued
by authorized personnel. No diversion from the destination on the
permit is allowed.
(c) Official Tests: All official tuberculosis tests
shall be conducted by a designated personnel employed by the Commission,
or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or by an accredited
veterinarian designated to perform approved tuberculosis tests by
the Executive Director of the Commission. Each individual designated
to conduct official tuberculin tests shall meet a performance standard,
as referenced in the UM&R - Appendix C; entitled "Performance
Standards for Caudal Fold Tuberculin (CFT) Testing". Each individual
authorized to conduct official CFT tests shall be in compliance with
these standards for the CFT.
(d) Reporting: All official tests shall be reported
on VS Form 6-22 and continuation sheet VS Form 6-22B and mailed to
the Commission within seven days of reading the results. The information
on the VS Form 6-22B, shall include:
(1) the official individual identification;
(2) the name and post office address of the owner;
(3) the location of the premises and the animals;
(4) the dates of injection and reading of the test;
(5) the kind of test conducted;
(6) the result of the test;
(7) the reason for testing (i.e., Herd Accreditation,
Sale or Show, Other); and
(8) the signature and accreditation number of the testing
veterinarian.
(e) Identification. All animals tested must be permanently
individually identified by an official identification device, an official
registration tattoo or an official registration brand as specifically
recognized or authorized by the commission.
(f) Tuberculin Test Interpretation, Classification,
and Reporting Requirements.
(1) The site of administration of a tuberculin test
shall be examined at 72 (+/-6) hours following injection. Examination
shall be made by visual observation and palpation. Observation without
palpation shall constitute cause for removal of veterinary accreditation.
(2) Any animal with a visible or palpable response
at the site of injection shall be classified as a Suspect by the testing
veterinarian.
(3) Any animal classified as a Suspect shall:
(A) be reported by the testing veterinarian to the
appropriate Area Office within 48 hours following examination; and
(B) the reporting veterinarian shall inform the owner
or caretaker that the herd is restricted from movement until a determination
of disease status has been made by the Commission.
(g) Disposition of Suspects and Reactors
(1) Reactors shall remain on the premise where they
were disclosed until a State or Federal permit for movement has been
obtained. Movement for immediate slaughter shall be within 15 days
of classification and shall be directly to a slaughtering establishment
where approved State or Federal inspection is maintained. Alternatively,
the animals may be destroyed on the premises or in a postmortem examination
facility under the direct supervision of a State or Federal animal
health veterinarian to ensure that a proper postmortem examination
is conducted; that the carcasses are disposed of by deep burial or
burning, and that the facilities are adequately cleaned and disinfected.
(2) Herds containing suspects to the CFT test shall
be quarantined until the suspect animals are:
(A) Negative to a CCT test; or
(B) Negative on the bovine interferon gamma assay;
or
(C) Shipped, under permit, directly to slaughter in
accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations with postmortem
examinations conducted according to requirements outlined in paragraph
(5) of this subsection.
(3) Suspects to the CCT test must be:
(A) Negative to a CCT retest 60 or more days after
the previous CCT injection; or
(B) Shipped under permit directly to slaughter.
(4) Animals positive on the bovine interferon gamma
assay and classified as suspect must be:
(A) Negative on a bovine interferon gamma assay retest
conducted within 30 days of the CFT injection (the DTE or Regional
Tuberculosis Epidemiologist must concur with the retest); or
(B) Shipped, under permit, directly to slaughter for
postmortem examination.
(5) Postmortem examinations shall be witnessed by a
State or Federal animal health veterinarian and selected tissue specimens,
to include any tissue with granulomatous appearing lesions and representative
head and thoracic lymph nodes, must be submitted for laboratory examination.
(h) Requirements on Dealer Recordkeeping: Any dealer
must maintain records of livestock and exotic livestock that are purchased
or sold. Such records shall show the buyer's and seller's name and
address, county of origin, number of animals, and a description of
each animal, including sex, age, color, breed, brand, and official
identification. Records at auctions and commission firms shall show
the delivery vehicle license number. These records must be maintained
for a minimum of five years. Such records must be made available to
State or Federal animal health officials, upon request, during normal
business hours.
(i) Slaughter Plant Collections and Submissions: Slaughter
plants for cattle are required to collect and submit diagnostic specimens
for the purpose of testing for tuberculosis as directed by state or
federal inspection personnel. The slaughter of cattle shall be conducted
so that the carcass and any diagnostic specimens can be identified
as being derived from a particular animal. Handling shall include,
but is not limited to, the retention of official eartags, official
backtags, herd identification ear tags, ear bangles, electronic implants,
and other man made identifying devices affixed to the animal, in a
way that correctly relates the diagnostic specimen to the carcass
from which it was taken. All identification devices shall be included
with the documentation submitted with a diagnostic specimen to an
approved laboratory.
(j) Retesting and release of movement restrictions.
(1) Sale of feeder calves from quarantined herds will
be restricted. Feeder calves under 12 months of age that have passed
a CFT test within 60 days prior to movement may be "S" branded and
permitted to move intrastate to an approved feedlot or approved pens
in a feedlot.
(2) Herds in which Mycobacterium
bovis infection has been confirmed shall be depopulated; or
shall remain under quarantine until all requirements of an individual
herd plan have be completed in accordance with procedures prescribed
in the UM&R.
(3) Herds in which NGL reactor(s) only occur and no
evidence of Mycobacterium bovis infection
has been disclosed may be released from movement restrictions after
a 60 day negative retest on the entire herd.
Cont'd... |
