Rule 40-13-4-.08 - Swine Brucellosis Eradication Requirements(1) The State of Georgia is designated a Validated Brucellosis-Free State by the United States Department of Agriculture.(2) The Georgia Department of Agriculture adopts the Swine Brucellosis Control/Eradication State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules in effect by the United States Department of Agriculture. Said Uniform Methods and Rules are on file in the State Veterinarian's office and are available upon request. The State Veterinarian reserves the option of applying rules that may exceed the minimum set forth in the Uniform Methods and Rules.(3) Movement of swine into Georgia shall be in accordance with the recommendation of the USDA Swine Brucellosis Control/Eradication State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules and the rules established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.(4) Official Tests: Only tests which have been conducted in the State/Federal Brucellosis Laboratory or a laboratory approved by the State Veterinarian will be considered official tests. All blood samples and completed test records must be submitted to the appropriate laboratory within five (5) business days following collection. No person shall remove, deface, alter or otherwise change any official permanent mark, tattoo, tag or other official identification on any swine.(5) Individual Herd Validation: Individual herds may be designated as Validated Brucellosis-Free by complying with the requirements of the State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules.(6) Depopulation: Swine herds affected with brucellosis are required to depopulate unless an exemption is given by the State Veterinarian.(7) Affected Herds: All herds affected with brucellosis will be quarantined. Any person who owns or has custody or control of any swine affected with brucellosis or known reactor animals to an official brucellosis test must isolate such animals from all other livestock in Georgia. All herds and premises related by common ownership or management will be quarantined when reactors are disclosed in a herd. The affected herd quarantine will be released no sooner than thirty (30) days following depopulation. If an exemption from the depopulation requirement is granted, the affected herd quarantine will be released upon completion of four (4) consecutive and complete negative herd tests. The first three (3) tests will occur at thirty (30), ninety (90), and one hundred and eighty (180) days after the last reactor was removed from the premise. The fourth test will occur no sooner than three hundred and sixty-five (365) days after the last reactor left the premise. A complete herd test may be required six (6) to twelve (12) months following release of the quarantine if determined necessary by the State Veterinarian and the USDA. All swine in an affected herd must be identified by an official eartag. A Form VS 1-27 must accompany quarantined swine moved from affected herds. Herds quarantined because of an association with an affected herd by common ownership or management in which no reactors have been disclosed may qualify for a conditional quarantine release after one negative complete herd test with the approval of the State Veterinarian and the USDA.(8) At-Risk Herds: Swine disclosed in an epidemiological investigation to be at-risk of brucellosis infection will be quarantined. The State Veterinarian and the USDA will develop a herd plan to eliminate the risk of brucellosis in these animals.(9) Post-Quarantine Releasing Test: All swine released from quarantine and all swine on a premise previously quarantined for brucellosis may be retested as determined necessary by the State Veterinarian and the USDA.(10) Owner's Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of the herd owner to provide the necessary facilities and labor to facilitate the testing of all eligible swine. If the owner of a quarantined herd fails to implement or comply with an approved herd plan, the State Veterinarian may require the herd to be depopulated.(11) Cleaning and Disinfecting: Affected premises shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with instruction of the State Veterinarian and the USDA.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-13-4-.08
Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 4-4-64, 4-4-67, 4-4-70, 4-6-54.
Original Rule entitled "Records" adopted. F. and eff. June 30, 1965.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Handling of Livestock" adopted. F. Apr. 1, 1970; eff. Apr. 20, 1970.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 2, 1984; eff. May 22, 1984.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Swine Pseudorabies Eradication Requirements" adopted. F. Jan. 17, 2003; eff. Feb. 6, 2003.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Swine Brucellosis Eradication Requirements" adopted. F. Sept. 2, 2011; eff. Sept. 22, 2011.