8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1201-19, pt. 6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 19, October 10, 2024

Part 6 - Sheep Brucellosis

6.1. Definitions

6.1.1. "Approved laboratory" means a laboratory approved by the State Veterinarian to conduct testing for Brucella ovis.

6.1.2. "Approved test" means a test approved by the State Veterinarian for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis in test eligible rams.

6.1.3. "Brucella ovis exposed ram" means any test negative or untested test eligible ram which has been in contact with a ram that tests positive to approved test within the last 30 days.

6.1.4. "Brucella ovis positive eartag" means an ear tag used to identify rams that test positive to an approved Brucella ovis test. The design and color of the Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag shall be approved by the State Veterinarian and shall be supplied through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

6.1.5. "Brucella ovis positive ram" means a ram that tests positive to an approved Brucella ovis test.

6.1.6. "Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag" means an ear tag used to identify Brucella ovis exposed rams or untested rams. The design and color of the Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag shall be approved by the State Veterinarian and shall be supplied through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

6.1.7. "Indeterminate Test Results" means an ELISA Test with results in a low positive range that does not verify infection status.

6.1.8. "Official Test" means a test to detect the presence of Brucella ovis that is approved by the Colorado State Veterinarian.

6.1.9. "PCR Test" means the Polymerase Chain Reaction test used on semen from Brucella ovis indeterminate rams and low positive rams.

6.1.10. "Slaughter only back tag" means a back tag provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to livestock markets which is applied to rams presented for sale without a B. ovis test.

6.1.11. "Test eligible ram" means any ram six months of age and older.

6.2. Requirements for Laboratory Testing

6.2.1. All test eligible rams that are transferred, leased, or loaned for breeding purposes shall be tested prior to any such transfer, lease, or loan.

6.2.2. All samples must be submitted to an approved laboratory for testing.

6.2.3. Official identification of the rams must be recorded and accompany all samples to the approved laboratory for both official and unofficial testing.

6.2.4. Official tests for Brucella ovis: All sample collection for interstate or intrastate sale or transfer of breeding rams must be performed by or under the supervision of an accredited veterinarian.

6.2.5. Unofficial tests for Brucella ovis: An owner may collect samples from rams and have the samples tested at an approved laboratory. This method of sample collection cannot be used for sale or transfer of breeding rams or to qualify rams.

6.2.6. Only a test methodology approved by the State Veterinarian may be used.

6.3. Requirements for Sale or Transfer, Lease, or Loan

6.3.1. No person may transfer, lease, or loan a ram six months or older for breeding purposes in the state of Colorado unless said ram has been tested for Brucella ovis within 30 days prior to the date of the transfer, lease, or loan and unless such test result is negative. It is the responsibility of the buyer to obtain necessary official test records from the seller at the time of transfer, lease, or loan.

6.3.2. No Brucella ovis exposed ram may be transferred, leased, or loaned for breeding purposes within Colorado unless all exposed rams in the flock test negative, are sent to slaughter, or are castrated in accordance with provisions of Part 6.5.2 of these rules.

6.4. Livestock Auction Market Sales

6.4.1. All test eligible rams that arrive at market without proof of an official negative Brucella ovis test, as in Part 6.2.4. completed within 30 days of the sale date, shall be identified with an official Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag, with a "slaughter only" back tag, or with a paint brand on the top of the back. This brand shall be a "Q" not less than 4 inches in height.

6.4.2. Rams arriving at market without official identification shall have an official identification device applied.

6.5. Quarantine of Test Positive Rams and Premises

6.5.1. All confirmed test positive Brucella ovis rams and all exposed rams shall be immediately placed under quarantine and remain under quarantine until such positive rams are castrated, are sent to slaughter or transferred to a slaughter channel feedlot. Exposed rams remaining on the premises shall stay under quarantine until they have had two negative tests that are at least 45 days apart and after last exposure to positive rams.

6.5.1.1. If a flock owner receives indeterminate test results for any test eligible ram, that ram must be retested between 30 and 60 days after receiving the indeterminate test results. A subsequent test must be with either the ELISA test or the PCR test and must test-negative before the ram may be sold for breeding purposes.

6.5.2. Upon completion of the above requirements and receipt of the following information the State Veterinarian may release the quarantine.

6.5.2.1. Official test results of negative tests at least 45 days after isolation from all positive rams; or

6.5.2.2. Permits where exposed rams were transported directly to slaughter or to a sale for direct slaughter; or

6.5.2.3. A written statement from the owner, manager, operator, or flock veterinarian, stating that all positive or exposed rams were castrated. The written statement shall include the identification numbers of the castrated rams.

6.6. Requirements for the Identification and Disposition of Exposed or Infected Rams

6.6.1. Prior to transfer, lease, or loan any Brucella ovis exposed rams and all untested rams six months of age or older shall be identified by the following methods:

6.6.1.1. With an official Brucella ovis slaughter only eartag or

6.6.1.2. With a paint brand on the top of the back. This brand shall be a "Q" not less than 4 inches in height.

6.6.2. Any ram found to be positive on an approved test for Brucella ovis shall be identified with an official Brucella ovis positive ear tag. All positive rams shall be sold directly to slaughter or slaughter channel feedlots, or be castrated, and then may be sold or moved without restriction.

8 CCR 1201-19, pt. 6

37 CR 23, December 10, 2014, effective 12/30/2014

39 CR 13, July 10, 2016, effective 7/30/2016

40 CR 23, December 10, 2017, effective 12/30/2017

44 CR 10, May 25, 2021, effective 6/15/2021

46 CR 15, August 10, 2023, effective 9/15/2023

47 CR 12, June 25, 2024, effective 7/15/2024