Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-13-4-.06 - Cervidae Brucellosis Eradication Requirements

(1) The Georgia Department of Agriculture adopts the Brucellosis in Cervidae: Uniform Methods and Rules in effect by the United States Department of Agriculture. Said Uniform Methods and Rules are on file in the State Veterinarian's office and are available on request. The State Veterinarian reserves the option of applying rules that may exceed the minimum set forth in the Uniform Methods and Rules.

(2) Movement of cervids into Georgia shall be in accordance with the recommendation of the USDA Brucellosis in Cervidae: Uniform Methods and Rules and the rules established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

(3) Official Tests: Only tests which have been conducted in the State/Federal Brucellosis Laboratory or a laboratory approved by the State Veterinarian will be considered official tests. All blood samples and completed test records must be submitted to the appropriate laboratory within five (5) business days following collection. No person shall remove, deface, alter or otherwise change any official permanent mark, brand, tattoo, tag or other official identification on any cervid.

(4) Individual Herd Designations: Individual herds may be designated as Certified Brucellosis-Free or Brucellosis Monitored by complying with the requirements of the Brucellosis in Cervidae: Uniform Methods and Rules.

(5) Depopulation: Complete herd depopulation is the preferred method to control and eradicate brucellosis in an affected herd. The owner of a brucellosis affected herd should consider depopulation whenever possible.

(6) Affected Herds: All herds affected with brucellosis will be quarantined. Any person who owns or has custody or control of any cervids affected with brucellosis or known reactor animals to an official brucellosis test must isolate such animals from all other livestock in Georgia. All herds and premises related by common ownership or management will be quarantined when reactors are disclosed in a herd. The affected herd quarantine will be released no sooner than sixty days following depopulation or upon completion of four (4) consecutive and complete negative herd tests. The first three (3) tests will occur at thirty (30), ninety (90), and one hundred and eighty (180) days after the last reactor was removed from the premise. The fourth test will occur no sooner than three hundred and sixty-five (365) days after the last reactor left the premise. A complete herd test may be required six (6) to twelve (12) months following release of the quarantine if determined necessary by the State Veterinarian and the USDA. Quarantined cervids from affected herds must be consigned on a Form VS 1-27 and transported directly from the farm of origin to a state or federally approved slaughter establishment or quarantined feedlot. Quarantined cervids shall not be consigned to a livestock market. Herds quarantined because of an association with an affected herd by common ownership or management in which no reactors have been disclosed may qualify for a conditional quarantine release after one negative complete herd test with the approval of the State Veterinarian and the USDA.

(7) At-Risk Herds: Livestock disclosed in an epidemiological investigation to be at-risk of brucellosis infection will be quarantined. The State Veterinarian and the USDA will develop a herd plan to eliminate the risk of brucellosis in these livestock.

(8) Post-Quarantine Releasing Test: All livestock released from quarantine and all livestock on a premise previously quarantined for brucellosis will be retested as determined necessary by the State Veterinarian and the USDA.

(9) Owner's Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of the herd owner to provide the necessary facilities and labor to pen all eligible animals for testing. If a herd owner fails to implement or comply with an approved herd plan, the State Veterinarian may require the herd to be depopulated.

(10) Cleaning and Disinfecting: Affected premises shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with instruction of the State Veterinarian and the USDA.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-13-4-.06

Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 4-4-1, 4-4-64, 4-4-67, 4-4-70, 4-4-95.1, 4-4-173, 4-4-177.

Original Rule entitled "Handling of Livestock" adopted. F. and eff. June 30, 1965. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Veterinary Services" adopted. F. Apr. 1, 1970; eff. Apr. 20, 1970. Amended: Authority changed. F. May 2, 1984; eff. May 22, 1984. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Cervidae Tuberculosis Eradication Requirements" adopted. F. Jan. 17, 2003; eff. Feb. 6, 2003. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Cervidae Brucellosis Eradication Requirements" adopted. F. Sept. 2, 2011; eff. Sept. 22, 2011.