Supplemental Notice to WSR 10-12-078.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-01-103.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation.

     Hearing Location(s): Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Second Floor, Conference Room 259, Olympia, WA 98504, on September 16, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: September 30, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: Teresa Norman, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, e-mail WSDARulesComments@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2092, by 5:00 p.m., September 16, 20010 [2010].

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact WSDA receptionist by September 7, 2010, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department held hearings in Olympia and Ellensburg on April 29 and May 10, 2010, to accept testimony on proposed amendments to chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation. Based on testimony received the department has decided to make additional changes to certain sections of the proposed language and conduct additional hearings on WAC 16-54-010 Definitions, 16-54-068 Restrictions, 16-54-082 Domestic bovine animals -- Importation requirements, 16-54-085 Domestic bovine tuberculosis requirements, and 16-54-086 Bovine trichomoniasis requirements.

     The department is proposing to add a feral swine definition, a restricting holding facility definition and amend the virgin bull definition. This rule proposal adds contagious equine metritis (CEM) to the import restrictions. CEM is a foreign animal disease that was introduced in the United States in 2009 and has the potential to be detrimental to our equine industry. This rule proposal also clarifies bovine tuberculosis entry requirements and exemptions, and amends the trichomoniasis section in that accredited veterinarians may not perform official trichomoniasis testing of bulls in Washington state until they have successfully completed a training provided by the department and pass a proficiency examination.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: These rule amendments are necessary to prevent the spread of infectious and communicable diseases in Washington livestock.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 16.36 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA), governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Paul Kohrs, DVM, Olympia, (360) 902-1835; and Enforcement: Leonard E. Eldridge, DVM, Olympia, (360) 902-1881.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. RCW 19.85.030(1) requires that WSDA prepare a small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) if proposed rules will impose more than minor costs on affected businesses or industry. The department has analyzed the economic effects of the proposed revisions and has concluded that they do not impose more than minor costs on small businesses in the regulated industry, and, therefore, a formal SBEIS is not required.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The WSDA is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).

June 23, 2010

Leonard E. Eldridge

State Veterinarian

OTS-2881.6

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-14-057, filed 6/25/08, effective 7/26/08)

WAC 16-54-010   Definitions.   In addition to the definitions found in RCW 16.36.005, the following definitions apply to this chapter:

     "Accredited free state" means a state that has been determined by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to have a zero prevalence of cattle and bison herds affected with bovine tuberculosis as listed in Title 9 CFR Part 77.79 (January 1, 2006).

     "Approved veterinary laboratory" means a laboratory that has been approved by National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

     "Certificate of veterinary inspection" means a legible veterinary health inspection certificate on an official form (electronic or paper) from the state of origin or from APHIS, USDA executed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian or a veterinarian approved by APHIS, USDA. The certificate of veterinary inspection is also known as an "official health certificate."

     "Class free and Class A, B, and C states" means states that are classified for brucellosis by USDA, APHIS in Title 9 CFR Part 78.41 (January 1, 2006).

     "Consigned" means to deliver for custody or sale.

     "Department" means the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA).

     "Director" means the director of WSDA or the director's authorized representative.

     "Domestic bovine" means domesticated cattle, including bison.

     "Domestic equine" means horses, donkeys, mules, ponies, and other animals in the Equidae family.

     "Entry permit" means prior written permission issued by the director to admit or import animals or animal reproductive products into Washington state.

     "Exotic animal" means species of animals that are not native to Washington state but exist elsewhere in the world in the wild state.

     "Feral swine" means animals included in any of the following categories:

     • Animals of the genus Sus that are free roaming on public or private lands and do not appear to be domesticated;

     • Swine from domesticated stocks that have escaped or been released or born into the wild state;

     • European wild hogs and their hybrid forms (also known as European wild boars or razorbacks), regardless of whether they are free roaming or kept in confinement; or

     • Animals of the family Tayassuidae such as peccaries and javelinas, regardless of whether they are free roaming or kept in confinement.

     "Immediate slaughter" means livestock will be delivered to a federally inspected slaughter plant within ((three days)) twelve hours of entry into Washington state.

     "Mature vaccinate" means a female bovine over the age of twelve months that has been vaccinated, under directions issued by the state of origin, with a mature dose of brucellosis vaccine.

     "Modified accredited state" means a state that has been determined by USDA, APHIS to have a prevalence of bovine tuberculosis of less than 0.1 percent of the total number of herds of cattle and bison as listed in Title 9 CFR Part 77.11 (January 1, 2006).

     "Movement permit" means an entry permit that is valid for six months and permits the entry of domestic equine into Washington state.

     "NPIP" means the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

     "Official brucellosis test" means the official test defined by Title 9 CFR Part 78.1 (January 1, 2006).

     "Official brucellosis vaccinate" means an official adult vaccinate or official calfhood vaccinate as defined by Title 9 CFR Part 78.1 (January 1, 2006).

     "Official individual identification" means identifying an animal or group of animals using USDA-approved or WSDA-approved devices or methods, including, but not limited to, official tags, unique breed registry tattoos, and registered brands when accompanied by a certificate of inspection from a brand inspection authority who is recognized by the director.

     "Poultry" means chickens, turkeys, ratites, waterfowl, game birds, pigeons, doves, and other domestic fowl ((designated by statute)). ((Poultry does not mean free ranging birds defined as wildlife in RCW 77.08.010(16).))

     "Restricted feedlot" means a feedlot holding a permit issued under chapter 16-30 WAC.

     "Restricted holding facility" means an isolated area approved and licensed by the director, as advised by the state veterinarian.

     "Stage I, II, III, IV, or V pseudorabies state" means states as classified by the Pseudorabies Eradication State-Federal-Industry Program Standards (November 1, 2003).

     "USDA, APHIS" means the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

     "Virgin bull" means a sexually ((active)) intact male bovine less than twelve months of age ((or a sexually intact male bovine between twelve and twenty-four months of age)) that is certified by the owner or the owner's designee as having had no breeding contact with female cattle.

     "Wild animals" is defined in RCW 77.08.010(((17))) (61).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 08-14-057, § 16-54-010, filed 6/25/08, effective 7/26/08. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 07-14-056, § 16-54-010, filed 6/28/07, effective 7/29/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040. 99-09-023, § 16-54-010, filed 4/15/99, effective 5/16/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.096 and 16.36.040. 93-19-126 (Order 5010), § 16-54-010, filed 9/21/93, effective 10/22/93; 92-21-039, § 16-54-010, filed 10/15/92, effective 11/15/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and 16.36.050. 88-05-003 (Order 1964), § 16-54-010, filed 2/5/88; 84-16-022 (Order 1838), § 16-54-010, filed 7/24/84; Order 1172, § 16-54-010, filed 12/15/70; Order 1024, Regulation 1, filed 7/22/66, effective 8/22/66; Order 957, Regulation 1, filed 8/31/64; Order 915, filed 4/1/63; Order 856, effective 7/19/61; Order 837, filed 4/14/61.]

     (2) All animals entering Washington state must comply with the requirements of USDA, APHIS regulations found at Title 9 CFR for movement or importation from foreign countries.

     (3)(a) Livestock entering Washington state from a state where a reportable disease listed in WAC 16-70-010 has been diagnosed within the past thirty days must be accompanied by a valid entry permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection.

     (b) The certificate of veterinary inspection shall also include written verification that the animals have not been exposed to any reportable disease ((nor located within ten miles of an area where such a disease has been diagnosed)).

     (c) In the case of a state where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed, the certificate of veterinary inspection for susceptible livestock must be issued within twenty-four hours of shipment to Washington state and must contain:

     (i) The temperature reading of each ((animal)) equine at the time of inspection; and

     (ii) The following statement written by an accredited veterinarian:

     "All animals identified on this certificate have been examined and found to be free from clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis. During the past thirty days, these animals have not been exposed to vesicular stomatitis ((or located within ten miles of an area where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed))."

     (d) Cattle entering Washington state from a state or a foreign state or province where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed must be held at their destination separate and apart from all other cattle for a period of seven days and reexamined by ((an accredited veterinarian)) the state veterinarian or designee at the end of that period.

     (e) In the case of a state where contagious equine metritis (CEM) has been diagnosed, the certificate of veterinary inspection for equine must contain the following statement: "The equine and equine reproductive products listed in this document have not originated from a premises where T. equigenitalis has been isolated during the sixty days immediately preceding importation to Washington or from a location currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM. No female equine in the shipment has been bred naturally to, or inseminated with, semen from an intact male positive for CEM or from an intact male resident upon positive premises or under quarantine or investigation for CEM. The equine showed no clinical signs of CEM on the day of inspection or semen collection."

     (4) Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be accompanied by an entry permit and proof of current rabies vaccination if they originate from a rabies quarantined area ((or an area where the state or country of origin has designated terrestrial rabies as endemic)).

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 07-14-056, § 16-54-068, filed 6/28/07, effective 7/29/07.]

     (1) Domestic bovine entering Washington state must have a certificate of veterinary inspection and an entry permit issued by the office of the state veterinarian prior to entry. Entry permits are required on all ((feeder)) cattle entering ((restricted feedlots and are to be obtained by the brand inspector of the state of origin and recorded on the brand document)) the state.

     (2) Before entering Washington state, Canadian cattle, including calves, must be identified on the right hip by a "CΛN" brand (C open-A N).

     Exemptions to import health requirements.

     (3) Unless an emergency rule is in effect, a certificate of veterinary inspection is not required for domestic bovine that are:

     (a) Consigned to federally inspected slaughter plants for immediate slaughter; or

     (b) Consigned to state-federal approved livestock markets for sale for immediate slaughter only; or

     (c) Consigned to specifically approved livestock markets or restricted holding facilities where import requirements can be met; or

     (d) Consigned to a restricted feedlot or a category 2 restricted holding facility, unless originating from a state or country with less than free status; or

     (e) Cattle moving interstate from contiguous states on grazing permits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 08-14-057, § 16-54-082, filed 6/25/08, effective 7/26/08. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 07-14-056, § 16-54-082, filed 6/28/07, effective 7/29/07; 05-14-019, § 16-54-082, filed 6/24/05, effective 7/25/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040. 99-09-023, § 16-54-082, filed 4/15/99, effective 5/16/99; 97-01-067 (Order 6009), § 16-54-082, filed 12/16/96, effective 1/16/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and 16.36.096. 92-21-039, § 16-54-082, filed 10/15/92, effective 11/15/92. Statutory Authority: Chapter 16.36 RCW. 89-24-021 (Order 2021), § 16-54-082, filed 11/30/89, effective 12/31/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and 16.36.050. 88-05-003 (Order 1964), § 16-54-082, filed 2/5/88; 87-08-021 (Order 1918), § 16-54-082, filed 3/25/87; 84-16-022 (Order 1838), § 16-54-082, filed 7/24/84. Statutory Authority: Chapter 16.36 RCW. 83-09-009 (Order 1792), § 16-54-082, filed 4/8/83. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 16.44 RCW. 83-04-030 (Order 1782), § 16-54-082, filed 1/27/83. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 16.40 RCW. 82-03-019 (Order 1752), § 16-54-082, filed 1/14/82; 81-10-047 (Order 1730), § 16-54-082, filed 5/1/81. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 16.44 RCW. 78-06-116 (Order 1579), § 16-54-082, filed 6/7/78; Order 1540, § 16-54-082, filed 10/17/77.]

     (d) Originating from a modified accredited advanced or lower state as defined by USDA, APHIS in Title 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 77 (January 1, 2010) or a country equivalent in status. Such domestic bovine ((from a modified accredited or lower state)) shall be held separate and apart from native cattle for sixty days and retested negative at least sixty days after entry into Washington state.

     (2) Dairy cattle (including steers and spayed heifers) six months of age or older must:

     (a) Test negative for bovine tuberculosis within sixty days before entering Washington state; and

     (b) Be identified with a USDA silver identification ear tag, or a USDA-approved RFID tag, or an orange brucellosis vaccination tag.

     (3) Dairy heifers, steers, and bull calves less than six months of age must:

     (a) Be issued a hold order or a quarantine order that requires the animals to be taken directly to a designated premises or facility;

     (b) Be held separate and apart from all other domestic bovine until they test negative for bovine tuberculosis after six months of age; and

     (c) Be identified with a USDA silver identification ear tag, or a USDA-approved RFID tag, or an orange brucellosis vaccination tag.

     (4) Dairy cattle are exempt from bovine tuberculosis testing requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section if they:

     (a) Originate from an accredited bovine tuberculosis-free herd, as defined by USDA, APHIS in Title 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 77 (January 1, 2010), and if an accredited herd number and the date of the last bovine tuberculosis test are shown on the certificate of veterinary inspection;

     (b) Are consigned to federally inspected slaughter plants for immediate slaughter;

     (c) Are consigned to slaughter through state and federally approved public livestock markets and remain in slaughter channels; or

     (d) Enter a category 2 restricted holding facility (restricted feedlot) to be fed for slaughter.

     (5) Cattle used for rodeo or timed events.

     (a) All cattle used for rodeo or timed events, except those imported directly from Mexico, must be accompanied by proof recorded on a certificate of veterinary inspection of a negative bovine tuberculosis test within twelve months before entry into Washington state.

     (b) Calves under six months old that were born and have continuously resided in the state of Washington are excluded from this requirement.

     (((5))) (6) Mexican cattle - All cattle imported from Mexico that enter Washington, including those imported for rodeo or recreation purposes, must be sexually neutered and must bear official Mexican identification and brand before entry.

     (a) All Mexican cattle must be accompanied by proof of two negative bovine tuberculosis tests conducted in the United States after entry from Mexico. The second negative test must be a minimum of sixty days after the first test and within thirty days before entry into Washington state.

     (b) All Mexican cattle that remain in the state of Washington shall be tested annually for tuberculosis.

     (c) If Mexican cattle entering Washington state are not accompanied by proof of two negative bovine tuberculosis tests prior to entry, they will be issued a hold order or a quarantine order that requires the animals to be taken directly to a designated premises or facility and kept separate and apart from Washington cattle until the completion of required tests.

     (d) Sexually intact Mexican beef cattle may enter only with a prior entry permit and at the discretion of the director.

     ((Exemptions to domestic bovine tuberculosis test requirements.

     (6) Dairy cattle are exempt from bovine tuberculosis testing requirements if they:

     (a) Originate from an accredited bovine tuberculosis-free herd, as defined by USDA, APHIS in Title 9 CFR Chapter 1 Part 77 (January 1, 2006), and if an accredited herd number and the date of the last bovine tuberculosis test are shown on the certificate of veterinary inspection;

     (b) Are consigned to federally inspected slaughter plants for immediate slaughter; or

     (c) Are consigned to slaughter through state and federally approved sale yards and remain in slaughter channels.)) (e) Mexican cattle are exempt from the second bovine tuberculosis test and isolation requirements if their official Mexican identification remains intact and they are consigned to a federally inspected slaughter plant for immediate slaughter.

     (7)(a) Cattle that have not met the ((department's)) tuberculosis requirements in this subsection may enter, with approval from the director, a category 1 restricted holding facility in Washington state until testing requirements have been met.

     (b) The category 1 restricted holding facility must be approved by the director and operated in accordance with a written agreement between the facility owner and the director.

     (c) The restricted holding facility must be maintained and all inspections and testing done at the owner's expense.

     (((8) Dairy steers and spayed heifers are exempt from bovine tuberculosis testing requirements before entry into Washington state if they are entering restricted feedlots to be fed for slaughter.

     (9) Mexican cattle are exempt from the second bovine tuberculosis test and isolation requirements if their official Mexican identification remains intact and they are consigned to a federally inspected slaughter plant for immediate slaughter.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 08-14-057, § 16-54-085, filed 6/25/08, effective 7/26/08. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 07-14-056, § 16-54-085, filed 6/28/07, effective 7/29/07.]

     (a) The bulls originate from a herd wherein all bulls have tested negative for bovine trichomoniasis since they were removed from female cattle; ((and)) or

     (b) The bulls have tested negative to a bovine trichomoniasis ((culture)) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test within thirty days before import and have had no contact with female cattle from the time of the test to the time of import; or

     (c) The bulls have tested negative to a bovine trichomoniasis culture test, if from a state that recognizes a culture test as an official test; or

     (d) If the bulls originate from a herd where one or more bulls or cows have been found infected with bovine trichomoniasis within the past twelve months, the bulls must have ((three consecutive negative bovine trichomoniasis culture tests one week apart or one)) two negative ((polymerase chain reaction (PCR))) qPCR tests one week apart. The samples for each test must be collected within thirty days before cattle are imported into Washington state, and an import permit must be obtained from the director and include a certifying statement that the bulls originated from an infected herd.

     (2) Before arrival at their destination in Washington state, all imported bulls must be identified with official identification or an official trichomoniasis bangle tag.

     (3) Bulls that enter Washington state without meeting the bovine trichomoniasis requirements of this section will be quarantined at the owner's expense until they have had ((three consecutive negative bovine trichomoniasis culture tests one week apart or one)) two negative ((PCR)) qPCR tests one week apart.

     (4)(a) Any bull or cow that is positive to a trichomoniasis ((culture)) test, and any herd in which one or more bulls or cows are found infected with trichomoniasis is considered infected.

     (b) In the case of bulls testing positive to trichomoniasis, the herd shall be quarantined pending an epidemiological investigation to determine the source of the infection, and as long as infection persists in the herd.

     (c) Infected bulls will be quarantined and will not be used for breeding. They must be slaughtered, sold for slaughter, or sent to a restricted feedlot or category 2 restricted holding facility to remain in slaughter channels.

     (5) Certification and proficiency testing and types of tests. The state veterinarian will determine trichomoniasis training for veterinarians and laboratories, and the types of tests used to determine trichomoniasis infection. All sampling will be obtained by pipette scrapings from the prepuce and glans of a bull.

     (a) ((Only veterinarians registered with WSDA shall collect samples for official tests for trichomoniasis. Prior to being granted registered status, all veterinarians who will collect samples for trichomoniasis testing shall attend an educational seminar conducted by the animal services division on trichomoniasis and proper sample collection techniques.)) All trichomoniasis testing of bulls in Washington state shall be performed by a veterinarian accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). In addition, all accredited veterinarians testing bulls in Washington state for trichomoniasis are required to successfully complete training and pass a trichomoniasis testing procedure proficiency examination provided by the department. Effective January 1, 2011, accredited veterinarians may not perform official trichomoniasis testing of bulls in Washington state until they have successfully completed the training and passed the proficiency examination.

     A schedule of training opportunities is available by contacting the department at:

     Washington State Department of Agriculture

     Animal Services Division

     1111 Washington Street S.E.

     P.O. Box 42577

     360-902-1878

     (b) Registered veterinarians shall only utilize official laboratories recognized by the state veterinarian for ((culture)) testing of trichomoniasis samples.

     (c) Registered veterinarians collecting samples in the state of Washington shall submit results of all trichomoniasis tests and all official identification on official trichomoniasis test and report forms to the animal services division within five business days of receiving test results from an official laboratory or identifying virgin bulls with official trichomoniasis bangle tags.

     (d)(i) Polymerase chain reaction is accepted as an official test when completed by a qualified laboratory approved by the director and when the sample is received by the laboratory within forty-eight hours of collection.

     (ii) Other tests for trichomoniasis may be approved as official tests by the state veterinarian after the tests have been proven effective by research, have been evaluated sufficiently to determine efficacy, and a protocol for use of the test has been established.

     (iii) An official test is one in which the sample is received in the official laboratory in good condition within forty-eight hours of collection. Samples in transit for more than forty-eight hours will not be accepted for official testing and must be discarded. Samples that have been frozen or exposed to high temperatures must also be discarded.

     Exemptions to bovine trichomoniasis test requirements.

     (6) Virgin bulls are exempt from bovine trichomoniasis test requirements. If sold, virgin bulls must be officially identified and accompanied by a certificate signed by the owner or the owner's designee that they have had no breeding contact with female cattle.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 08-14-057, § 16-54-086, filed 6/25/08, effective 7/26/08.]

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