WAC 16-30-038   Conditions of permit to operate restricted holding facilities.  (1) The following requirements are applicable to all categories of restricted holding facilities:

     (a) The restricted holding facility area shall house restricted animals separate and apart from all other nonrestricted animals. There may be no contact between animals not also similarly restricted and no commingling between separate shipments of animals.

     (b) The restricted holding facility will be maintained in a sanitary condition to mitigate disease risk.

     (c) The department of agriculture will be notified immediately of any outbreak of any infectious or contagious disease.

     (d) Milk from restricted animals may not be used for human consumption.

     (e) Restricted holding facilities must be clearly identified as such by signs permanently affixed at all corners stating "restricted holding facility" in letters a minimum of six inches in height.

     (f) The disposition of dead animals will be in accordance with the laws relating to the disposal of dead livestock and in accordance with chapter 16-25 WAC.

     (g) Accurate records will be kept for six years to account for all animals entering and leaving the restricted holding facility. Records must be open for review by authorized department of agriculture personnel during normal business hours, and must be provided to the department upon the director's request.

     (h) The state veterinarian has the authority to enter the restricted holding facility at any reasonable time to conduct tests, examinations, and inspections.

     (2) Additional requirements for a category 1 restricted holding facility. In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section for all types of restricted holding facilities, the operator of a category 1 restricted holding facility must abide by the following conditions:

     (a) All animals entering a category 1 restricted holding facility must have official individual identification listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection.

     (b) No animals may be removed from the category 1 restricted holding facility until they meet state and federal import regulations.

     (c) Animals may be removed from the restricted holding facility without meeting state and federal import regulations if they are sent to a federally inspected slaughter establishment and have not commingled with any other animals not also similarly restricted. Animals that have commingled with others not also similarly restricted will be quarantined and must be tested negative for disease as determined by the state veterinarian within thirty days before being released from the holding facility.

     (3) Additional requirements for a category 2 restricted holding facility. In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section for all types of restricted holding facilities, the operator of a category 2 restricted holding facility must abide by the following conditions:

     (a) There may be no contact between cattle not also similarly restricted.

     (b) Cattle may be removed from the restricted holding facility without meeting state and federal import regulations if they are sent immediately to a federally inspected slaughter plant.

     (c) There must be a minimum of thirty feet between the restricted holding facility and other lots and facilities.

     (d) No common fences and gates may be used.

     (e) Cattle in the restricted holding facility must not share water or feeding facilities accessible to other areas.

     (f) The state veterinarian will conduct at least two and up to four random, unannounced audits during each licensing period. The audits will consist of a physical inspection. The licensee is also required to periodically confirm with the department cattle shipments identified on state import permits as destined to the restricted holding facility by telephone or e-mail. The rate for audits is established in WAC 16-91-040, but the total amount charged per licensed restricted holding facility shall not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars in a calendar year.

     (g) (f) of this subsection shall not limit the number of inspections necessary to investigate potential violations or limit the number of inspections or total amount charged to ensure compliance after a violation is found. Category 2 restricted holding facilities that have been found to be in violation of animal health or import regulations may be charged for audits and inspections in excess of the one thousand five hundred dollar limit in (f) of this subsection. This section shall not limit the department from charging the time and mileage fee for inspecting livestock and related records during an investigation of a proven violation of section 3, chapter 66, Laws of 2010.

     (4) Additional requirements for category 3 restricted holding facilities. In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section for all types of restricted holding facilities, the operator of a category 3 restricted holding facility must abide by the following conditions:

     (a) The operator of a category 3 restricted holding facility must abide by quarantine conditions set forth by the state veterinarian.

     (b) Accurate records will be kept accounting for all animals entering the category 3 restricted holding facility for the length of the quarantine.

     (c) An animal in a category 3 restricted holding facility may be legally removed from the facility only upon the animal's death or if the animal is moved from the location by permit from the state veterinarian's office on a United States Department of Agriculture VS form 1-27 for the movement of restricted or quarantined animals to another category 3 restricted holding facility.

     (d) If an animal dies or is moribund in a category 3 restricted holding facility, the operator of the holding facility will immediately notify the state veterinarian of the animal's condition. The state veterinarian may require inspection and testing of the animal before disposal.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 10-20-091, § 16-30-038, filed 9/30/10, effective 10/31/10; 08-01-095, § 16-30-038, filed 12/17/07, effective 1/17/08.]