TITLE agriculture

Part II. Texas Animal Health Commission

Chapter 31. Anthrax

4 TAC §31.2, §31.3

The Texas Animal Health Commission proposes amendments to §31.2 and §31.3, concerning anthrax.

Section 31.2 is being amended to assure the Texas Department of Health notification about the occurrence of a potentially serious zoonotic disease.

Section 31.3 is being amended to create a reasonable option for parties to accomplish the actions needed to control this disease without diminishing their responsibility.

Kathryn A. Reed, General Counsel, has determined for the first five-year period the rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Reed also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be notification to the Texas Department of Health about the occurrence of a potentially serious zoonotic disease and a reasonable option for parties to accomplish the actions needed to control this disease without diminishing their responsibility. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments regarding the proposed amendments may be submitted to Edith Smith, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.046, and 161.061, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendments.

§31.2. Quarantine.

Upon laboratory confirmation of the disease by approved laboratory methods, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) shall establish quarantines upon infected and exposed animals and premises, advise the owner or caretaker how to properly dispose of carcasses, and require such treatment and vaccination as may be necessary to control and eradicate the disease. TAHC will notify the Texas Department of Health of the quarantine. Unless otherwise specified by TAHC, a quarantine will be released 10 days after vaccination of the herd with a product approved by TAHC and after proper disposal of carcasses as specified in §31.3 of this title (relating to Disposal).

§31.3. Disposal.

Any person who is the owner or caretaker of animals that have died from anthrax, or who owns or controls the land on which the animals have died, is responsible for assuring that [ must set fire to ] the carcass of each animal is set on fire and burned [ burn it ] until it is thoroughly consumed.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818521

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Chapter 33. Miscellaneous Contagious Diseases and Disinfection

4 TAC §§33.1-33.4

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Animal Health Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Animal Health Commission proposes the repeal §§33.1-33.4, concerning miscellaneous contagious diseases and disinfection.

The sections are being repealed to reduce the number of regulations in place. There are other regulations in place to assure adequate control mechanisms exist without these to be eliminated.

Kathryn A. Reed, General Counsel, has determined for the first five-year period the repeals are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the repeals.

Ms. Reed also has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeals are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeals will be a reduced number of regulations that are redundant with one another. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeals as proposed.

Comments regarding the proposed repeals may be submitted to Edith Smith, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

The repeals are proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §161.041(a) and (b) and §161.046, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the repeals.

§33.1. Ornithosis; Quarantine and Treatment.

§33.2. Hog Cholera; Quarantine and Treatment.

§33.3. Miscellaneous Contagious Diseases; Quarantine of Exposed and Infected Animals.

§33.4. Cleaning and Disinfecting Vehicles, Premises, and Equipment.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818522

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Chapter 43. Tuberculosis

The Texas Animal Health Commission proposes amendments to §§43.2, 43.10, 43.11, 43.23, and new §43.12, concerning tuberculosis.

The amendments to §§43.1, 43.10, 43.11, 43.23 and new §43.12 are being proposed to provide for special entry requirements for cattle and bison originating from TB quarantined area in Michigan.

Kathryn A. Reed, General Counsel, has determined for the first five-year period the rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Reed also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be special entry requirements for cattle and bison originating from TB quarantined area in Michigan. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments regarding the proposed amendments and new section may be submitted to Edith Smith, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

Subchapter A. Eradication of Tuberculosis in Cattle

4 TAC §43.2

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.046, 161.081, and 162.003, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendment.

§43.2. Interstate Movement Requirements.

(a)-(h)

(No change.)

(i)

Special entry requirements for cattle and bison originating from the TB quarantined area in Michigan. The quarantined area defined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, effective January 1, 1999, includes all premises located in an area bordered by 1-75 to the west, M-55 to the south, and Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac to the east and north. The quarantined area includes all of the Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties, and portions of Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Otsego, and Roscommon counties.

(1)

All cattle and bison shall originate from an accredited herd.

(2)

In addition, all animals 6 months of age and older shall be tested negative for tuberculosis within 60 days prior to entry with results of this test recorded on the certificate of veterinary inspection.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818523

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Subchapter B. Dairy and Meat Type Goats

4 TAC §§43.10-43.12

The amendments and new section are proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.046, 161.081, and 162.003, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendments and new section.

§43.10. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)

Accredited free state--A state which maintains full compliance with all of the provisions of the USDA's Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) and where no evidence of bovine tuberculosis has been disclosed for five or more years.

(2)

[ Dairy ] goats--Domestic caprids [ caprine ] (genus Capra) ,dairy goats and meat type goats kept for the purpose of producing milk or meat for human consumption.

(3)

Herd--A group of [ dairy ] goats maintained on common ground, or two or more groups of [ dairy ] goats under common ownership or supervision geographically separated but which have an interchange or movement without regard to health status. (A group is construed to mean one or more animals.)

(4)

Individually identified--Identification by metal eartag which provides unique identification for each individual animal conforming to the nine-character, alphanumeric National Uniform Eartagging System; or by an individual registration tattoo.

(5)

Modified accredited state--A state which is actively participating in the eradication of bovine tuberculosis and which maintains its status in accordance with the provisions of these UMR.

(6)

Negative animals- Goats [ Dairy goats ] which show no response to a tuberculin test or have been classified negative by the testing veterinarian following the application of the comparative cervical test.

(7)

Reactor--Any [ dairy ] goat that shows a response to a tuberculin test and is classified a reactor by the testing veterinarian.

(8)

Suspect--Any [ dairy ] goat which shows a response to the caudal fold tuberculin test and is not classified a reactor or [ dairy ] goats which have been classified suspects by a c-c test.

(9)

Tuberculin test--A test for tuberculosis applied and reported by approved personnel. The official tuberculin tests are: the caudal fold test, the comparative cervical test, and the single cervical test.

(10)

Who may administer tuberculin test--Tuberculin tests shall be conducted by a veterinarian employed by the Texas Animal Health Commission or the United States Department of Agriculture or by an accredited veterinarian.

§43.11. Accredited Herd Plan for Dairy And Meat Type Goats.

(a)

Animals to be tested. Testing of herds for accreditation or reaccreditation shall include all goats [ over ] 12 months of age and older . All natural additions shall be individually identified and recorded on the test charts as members of the herd at the time of the annual test.

(b)-(c)

(No change.)

(d)

Requirements following classification of a [ dairy ] goat as a reactor or suspect. Goat herds with animals classified as reactors or suspects will be quarantined and tested on the same schedule as cattle (see §43.1 of this title (relating to Cattle)).

§43.12. Requirements for Entry into Texas.

The following listed in this section are special entry requirements for cattle originating from the TB quarantined area in Michigan. The quarantined area defined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, effective January 1, 1999, includes all premises located in an area bordered by 1-75 to the west, M-55 to the south, and Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac to the east and north. The quarantined area includes all of the Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties, and portions of Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Otsego, and Roscommon counties.

(1)

All goats shall originate from an accredited herd.

(2)

In addition, all animals 6 months of age and older shall be tested negative for tuberculosis within 60 days prior to entry with results of this test recorded on the certificate of veterinary inspection.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818524

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Subchapter C. Eradication of Tuberculosis in Cervidae

4 TAC §43.23

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.046, 161.081, and 162.003, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendment.

§43.23. Requirements for Entry into Texas.

(a)-(h)

(No change.)

(i)

Special entry requirements for cervids originating from the TB quarantined area in Michigan. The quarantined area defined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, effective January 1, 1999, includes all premises located in an area bordered by 1-75 to the west, M-55 to the south, and Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac to the east and north. The quarantined area includes all of the Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties, and portions of Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Otsego, and Roscommon counties.

(1)

All cervids shall originate from an accredited herd.

(2)

In addition, all cervids 6 months of age and older shall be classified negative to an official tuberculosis test conducted within 90 days prior to the date of movement.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818525

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Chapter 51. Interstate Shows and Fairs

4 TAC §51.6

The Texas Animal Health Commission proposes an amendment to §51.6, concerning interstate shows and fairs.

The section is being amended to include hair sheep as a type of breeding sheep for entry purposes.

Kathryn A. Reed, General Counsel, has determined for the first five-year period the rule is in effect, there will be minimal to none fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Ms. Reed also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be that hair sheep will be included as a type of breeding sheep for entry. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments regarding the proposed amendment may be submitted to Edith Smith, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.046, and 161.081, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amendment.

§51.6. Interstate Movement of Sheep Not Known To Be Infected or Exposed to Scrapie.

(a)

Requirements for entry of sheep from states with an active scrapie control and surveillance program (state of origin requires that the state animal health official of that state be immediately notified of any suspected or confirmed case of scrapie in that state and requires that sheep and/or goats from infected or source flocks be quarantined).

(1)

Breeding sheep.

(A)

Finewool sheep (Rambouillet, Columbia, Debroulliet, Merino, and Targhee) and hair sheep . Sheep must be accompanied by a health certificate stating that an examination of the herd and/or premise of origin shows no evidence of exposure to scrapie.

(B)

(No change.)

(2)

(No change.)

(b)

Movement of sheep from states with no active scrapie control and surveillance program.

(1)

Breeding sheep.

(A)

(No change.)

(B)

[ the ] Texas herd must continue in the program for five years after entry of the sheep.

(2)

Sheep entering Texas for grazing, slaughter or feedlots.

(A)

Sheep must be accompanied by a health certificate and entry permit stating that examination of premise and/or herd of origin shows no evidence of exposure to scrapie, provided sheep consigned directly to federal inspected slaughter facilities have no entry requirements; and [ morma ]

(B)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818526

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714


Chapter 60. Scrapie

4 TAC §60.1, §60.2

The Texas Animal Health Commission proposes new §60.1 and §60.2, concerning scrapie.

The new sections are being proposed to establish regulations for Scrapie control since it is a reportable disease in Texas.

Kathryn A. Reed, General Counsel, has determined for the first five-year period the rules are in effect, there will be minimal to no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules. If prevalence of Scrapie increases, then Texas Animal Health Commission employees will need to make annual inspections and submit diagnostic samples from suspected flocks.

Ms. Reed also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be established regulations for Scrapie control. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments regarding the proposed new sections may be submitted to Edith Smith, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

The new sections are proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §§161.041(a) and (b), 161.04b, and 161.081, which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the new sections.

§60.1. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)

Exposed animal - Any animal which has been in the same flock at the same time within the previous 60 months as a scrapie positive animal, excluding limited contacts as defined in USDA Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program.

(2)

Flock/herd - All animals maintained on a single premise which are commingled; and all animals under common ownership of supervision on two or more premises with animal interchange between the premises.

(3)

High risk animal - An animal which is:

(A)

the progeny of a scrapie-positive dam;

(B)

born in the same flock during the same lambing season as progeny of a scrapie-positive dam;

(C)

born in the same flock during the same lambing season as a scrapie-positive ewe or ram.

(4)

Infected flock - Any flock in which an APHIS representative or state animal health official has determined an animal to be scrapie-positive.

(5)

Official identification - A unique individual identification which meets the following criteria listed in subparagraphs (A)-(D) of this paragraph. The approved identification is the tamper-resistant ear tag provided through USDA, APHIS:

(A)

permanent;

(B)

secure;

(C)

unique numbers from a central repository;

(D)

traceable.

(6)

Official laboratory - A laboratory designated by a state and approved by the USDA Deputy Administrator to perform the Program-required scrapie diagnostic procedures. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, is the reference laboratory for diagnostic procedures.

(7)

Owner - An individual, partnership, company, corporation, or other legal entity which has legal or rightful title to a flock of animals, regardless of any liens held on the animals or flock.

(8)

Scrapie - A nonfebrile, transmissible, insidious, degenerative spongiform encephalopathy which affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats.

(9)

Source flock - A flock in which an APHIS representative or State animal health official has determined at least one animal, that was diagnosed as Scrapie-positive at an age of 54 months or less, was born.

(10)

Scrapie-positive animal - An animal which has had a diagnosis of scrapie confirmed through tests by an official laboratory.

(11)

Scrapie suspect - An animal which displays clinical signs suggestive of scrapie.

(12)

Designated scrapie epidemiologist - A veterinarian who is trained in epidemiology and is employed by the commission or USDA, APHIS, VS.

§60.2. General Requirements.

(a)

Quarantines/hold orders.

(1)

All flocks suspicious of scrapie, including source flocks, will be placed under hold order and investigated pending final determination. Scrapie suspect animals and animals suspected of other neurological and chronic debilitating (prolonged wasting) illnesses are required to be made available to ensure proper tissue samples are collected and submitted to an official laboratory for diagnostic purposes. The final determination of the presence or absence of scrapie in a flock shall be made by the investigating Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) or USDA veterinarian. Animals infected flocks, must be destroyed and properly disposed of as described in subsection (b) of this section.

(2)

All flocks which have been infected within the previous 5 years and not complying with the USDA Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program as described in paragraph (5)(B) of this subsection will be quarantined.

(3)

Flocks determined to be infected will be quarantined and the following listed in subparagraphs (A)-(B) of this paragraph will be required.

(A)

A flock plan to eradicate the disease from the flock will be developed. The flock plan will be developed by a state/federal regulatory veterinarian in consultation with the flock owner or caretaker and his veterinarian (if requested by the owner). The plan shall include provisions for release of quarantine as specified in paragraph (5) of this subsection. If a plan cannot be agreed upon, then the plan developed by the commission shall be final and the owner or caretaker will be provided a copy.

(B)

An epidemiological investigation will be performed following the diagnosis of infection. Traces to all animals or flocks, that could have been exposed, will be investigated for clinical signs. Animals and flocks being traced will be placed under hold order until a determination of the absence of scrapie can be made by either the observation of no clinical signs or by a preclinical test approved by USDA, APHIS. An agreement (or enrollment in the USDA Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program Complete or Selective Monitored Category) will be made to provide for monitoring of the flock for evidence of scrapie for two years. Animals displaying clinical signs must be destroyed to ensure proper tissue samples are collected and submitted to an official laboratory for diagnostic purposes.

(4)

Movement restrictions. Animals showing clinical signs of scrapie shall not be removed from the premise until a diagnosis can be made. Animals not showing clinical signs of scrapie on a quarantined or hold order premise may be moved under the following conditions listed in subparagraphs (A)-(B) of this paragraph:

(A)

the animals are permitted on a VS 1-27 form and individually identified, or moved in an offically sealed conveyance and;

(B)

the animals are consigned directly to an approved slaughter facility for immediate slaughter.

(5)

Quarantines will be released in the following instances listed in subparagraphs (A)-(B) of this paragraph:

(A)

once the flock has completed the requirements of an individual flock plan and an epidemiological investigation is performed;

(B)

unless modified or waived by a designated scrapie epidemiologist, the flock plan will require, but not be limited to, the following listed in clauses in (i)-(ii) of this subparagraph:

(i)

removal of all high risk animals from the flock in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection;

(ii)

the flock must be enrolled and participating in the USDA Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program as outlined in the flock plan.

(b)

Destruction of diseased animals will be accomplished by complete burning or burial of the carcasses on the premise where disclosed. Immediate destruction will be required in the following cases listed in paragraphs (1)-(2) of this subsection:

(1)

scrapie-positive animals;

(2)

suspect animals in infected flocks unless waived by a designated scrapie epidemiologist.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on December 21, 1998.

TRD-9818527

Kathryn A. Reed

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: January 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 719-0714