WAC 16-54-085   Bovine tuberculosis requirements.  (1) All domestic bovine must have a negative tuberculosis (TB) test within sixty days before entry into Washington state and must be identified with a USDA silver identification ear tag, or a USDA-approved RFID tag, or an orange brucellosis vaccination tag when:

     (a) Originating from a state or country where a tuberculosis affected herd has been identified within the past twelve months;

     (b) Originating from a state or country where there is an ongoing epidemiological investigation related to bovine infected with tuberculosis;

     (c) Originating from a state or country where tuberculosis is endemic or present in wildlife populations; or

     (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 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.

     (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.

     (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 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.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 10-20-092, § 16-54-085, filed 9/30/10, effective 10/31/10. 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.]