02 N.C. Admin. Code 52B .0214 - IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS: RABBITS, OR ANY SPECIES IN THE ORDER LAGOMORPHA, INCLUDING HARES AND PIKAS
(a) An import
permit from the State Veterinarian is required for the importation of a rabbit,
or any species in the order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, into the
State of North Carolina originating from:
(1)
any country or state with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 ("RHDV-2")
detected; or
(2) a state or country
without RHDV-2 if the animal makes any intervening stop in a country or state
with RHDV-2 detected, if the animal is commingled or exposed to any other
animal in the order of Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of
origin together, or if the imported rabbit is exposed to materials such as
cages, beddings, and supplies that have been in contact with another animal in
the order of Lagomorpha not shipped directly from the point of origin
together.
(b) The import
permit application shall be accompanied by an official health certificate, as
detailed in
02 NCAC
52B .0202, certifying the animal to be free
from any contagious animal disease, including RHDV-2, as follows:
(1) If the animal is shipped directly without
any intervening stops, without commingling or exposure to any other animal in
the order of Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of origin
together, and without exposure to materials such as cages, beddings, and
supplies that have been in contact with another animal in the order of
Lagomorpha not shipped directly from the point of origin together, then the
official health certificate shall be obtained within 7 days of the date of
importation into North Carolina.
(2) If the animal is shipped with intervening
stops, with commingling or exposure to another animal in the order of
Lagomorpha not being shipped directly from the point of origin together, or
with exposure to materials such as cages, beddings, and supplies that have been
in contact with another animal in the order of Lagomorpha not shipped directly
from the point of origin together, then the official health certificate shall
be obtained from the country or state of the last intervening stop,
commingling, or exposure, and within 7 days of the date of importation into
North Carolina.
(c) No
permit is needed for rabbits, or any species in the order of Lagomorpha,
including hare and pika, brought into the State on a temporary basis for the
sole purpose of seeking veterinary services by a North Carolina licensed
veterinarian, lasting only until the end of the veterinary service visit, and
the animal is brought directly to the veterinary clinic and departs from the
veterinary clinic to the originating state with no intervening stops.
(d) The application for an importation permit
shall include the state of origin, the date that the official health inspection
was conducted, the owner's name, address, and phone number at the time of
import, the import destination within the State of North Carolina, the name,
address, and phone number of the person with control and responsibility over
the animal at the import destination, and any federal licensing, permit, and
documentation required for the importation of the animal if imported from
outside of the United States of America.
(e) A rabbit, or any species in the order of
Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, requiring an import permit that is
imported into North Carolina shall be accompanied by an official health
certificate with the import permit number and shall be made available for
inspection by the State Veterinarian or his or her designee upon
request.
(f) An intervening stop is
defined as a stop in a country or state longer than 24 hours but less than 10
days. The location of any stop for longer than 10 days shall be deemed the new
country or state of origin.
(g)
Health certificates issued outside of the United States shall be issued in
English and by a veterinarian with a valid license to practice veterinary
medicine in the country of export.
(h) The requirement for an entry permit and
official health certificate are waived for a rabbit, or any species in the
order of Lagomorpha, including hare and pika, for exhibitions or shows that
adhere to the following guidelines:
(1) A
licensed and USDA accredited veterinarian, specifically a professional
veterinarian who has completed formal training from the National Veterinary
Accreditation Program (NVAP) in the state in which they are licensed to
practice veterinary medicine, performs a health assessment outside of the
exhibition or show venue prior to any commingling of animals from separate
origins, and prior to entry of the exhibition or show venue. For the purposes
of this subchapter, a health assessment conducted by a licensed and USDA
accredited veterinarian involves the veterinary examination of an animal to
ensure that the animal is in good health and well-being, as well as free of any
visible signs of pain, distress, suffering, or displaying any symptoms
consistent with RHDV-2. If an animal is found to exhibit any symptoms
consistent with RHDV-2, that animal as well as any cohorts, which includes
animals from the same origin, animals that traveled together, or animals that
where commingled, will be excluded from the exhibition or show and must return
without any commingling of other animals directly to its origin
location.
(2) The exhibition or
show administrators, upon request from the NCDA&CS Veterinary Division,
shall provide the name, address, phone number, and number of animals for every
participant in the exhibition or show for NCDA&CS disease epidemiological
investigation and testing purposes.
Notes
Emergency Adoption Eff. July 13, 2021;
Temporary Adoption Eff. September 24, 2021;
Eff. December 1, 2022.
Emergency Adoption Eff.
Temporary Adoption Eff.
Eff.
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