WAC 16-54-086   Bovine trichomoniasis requirements.  (1) Breeding bulls may be imported into the state of Washington if they meet the following requirements:

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

     (b) The bulls have tested negative to a bovine trichomoniasis 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 two negative 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 two negative qPCR tests one week apart.

     (4)(a) Any bull or cow that is positive to a trichomoniasis 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) 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 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: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 10-20-092, § 16-54-086, filed 9/30/10, effective 10/31/10. 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.]