| (a) An agent of the commission is entitled to stop and inspect
a shipment of animals or animal products being transported in this state in
order to:
(1) determine if the shipment is in compliance with the laws
and rules administered by the commission affecting the shipment;
(2) determine if the shipment originated from a quarantined
area or herd; or
(3) determine if the shipment presents a danger to the public
health or livestock industry through insect infestation or through a communicable
or noncommunicable disease.
(b) An agent of the commission may detain a shipment of animals
or animal products that is being transported in violation of law or a rule
of the commission. The commission may require that the shipment be unloaded
at the nearest available loading facility.
(c) Inspection or testing. The executive director of the commission
may detain and require an inspection or test of any animal for the detection
of any disease or parasite or parasitic infestation when the executive director
has determined there is a risk of disease or parasite transmission or infestation
which would have a detrimental effect on the Texas livestock industry. Entry
may be denied based on the results of these tests or inspections or all movement
within Texas may be restricted based on the risk.
(d) The commission may post signs on public highways and use
signaling devices, including red lights, in conjunction with signs, if necessary
to effectively signal and stop vehicles for inspection.
(e) In this section, "animal product" includes hides; bones;
hoofs; horns; viscera; parts of animal bodies; litter, straw, or hay used
for bedding; and any other substance capable of carrying insects or a disease
that may endanger the livestock industry.
(f) Brushy-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) cannot be
transported into the state due to the fact that they carry and easily shed
the bacteria of the genus Brucella.
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