The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) held a regularly scheduled Commission meeting on October 6, 2015, at its headquarters in Austin. The following rules were adopted during the meeting and will become effective on October 28. (Make sure to read to the last entry on EIA.)
Chapter 38, Trichomoniasis, Testing Exposed/Infected Breeding Bulls
The maximum age for bulls to be sold as “virgins” in Texas was lowered from 24 to 18 months. Bulls may still be sold as “virgins” up to 30 months of age if a veterinarian will co-sign a statement along with the owner, stating that the bull has not been in contact with female cattle. Virgin bulls are not required to be tested upon change of ownership.
A separate Trichomoniasis rule passed which requires the testing of bulls on adjacent pastures to where an infected bull was disclosed.
Chapter 41, Fever Ticks, ID requirements in Quarantined Areas
This rule requires commission approved ID to be applied on cattle when inspected in any type of fever tick zone.
Chapter 51: Entry Requirements, Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) & Trichomoniasis
This rule changes the validity of health certificates on susceptible animals entering from states currently affected with VS from 30 to 14 days. A separate entry rule related to Trichomoniasis will change the maximum age for entry as a “virgin” bull from 12 to 18 months of age. “Virgin” status bulls are not required to have a Trich test prior to entry.
To view the details of all the rules passed visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/code.html
The following rules were proposed:
Chapter 33, Fees, Repeal Lab & Herd Status/Certification Fees
The TAHC previously had budget authority to collect Laboratory fees (Rule 33.4) and Herd Status/Certification fees (Rule 33.5). This year the Legislature did not renew that authority so the TAHC must discontinue setting and collecting certain fees, effective September 1, 2015.
Chapter 49, Equine, EIA Testing
The purpose of the new section is to add a requirement that a person or laboratory who performs an official Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test in the State of Texas must meet and be in compliance with the requirements found in 75.4(c), “Approval of Laboratories, and Diagnostic or Research Facilities.”
The TAHC will begin accepting public comments for the proposals on October 23. The deadline for comment submissions on proposed rules is November 23, 2015. Complete details of the rule proposals are available on the TAHC website at http://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/proposals.html.
The TAHC encourages and appreciates all comments. Comments on the proposed regulations must be submitted in writing to Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at 512-719-0719, or by email to comments@tahc.texas.gov.
For more information, visit www.tahc.texas.gov or call 1-800-550-8242.
