Md. Code Regs. 15.11.06.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024

Section 15.11.06.03 - Herd Validation

A. Negative Herds. A swine herd will be validated following two consecutive negative tests on the entire breeding herd 30 to 90 days apart. However, if all breeding swine tested on the first test can be accounted for on the validating test, an extension of time may be granted, but the extension will not be allowed to exceed 180 days. This includes all breeding animals 6 months old and older. Validation is effective for 12 months unless otherwise revoked. The validated status will apply to all offspring born since the last test. A swine of unknown brucellosis status or of a suspicious brucellosis status may not be added to or associated with a validated herd or a herd in the process of becoming validated. Herd validation will be voided under these circumstances.

B. Validated Herds.

(1) Owners of herds that comply with validation requirements will be issued validation certificates by the Department and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and may use them in advertising their breeding stock.

(2) Upon expiration, validation certificates will not be renewed (or will be cancelled, whichever is appropriate) until such time as the herd again satisfies validation requirements.

(3) Upon finding one or more reactors in a validated herd, the validation certificate will be immediately cancelled.

C. Infected Herds.

(1) All infected herds shall be held in quarantine until free of brucellosis as determined by blood testing and until declared free of brucellosis by the Secretary.

(2) In herds with reactors one of the following plans shall be selected by the herd owner in consultation with an agent of the Department, for eradicating the disease and qualifying the herd for validation:

(a) Plan A. This plan is recommended for infected herds showing clinical symptoms of brucellosis.

(i) The entire herd shall be sent to slaughter as soon as practicable.

(ii) Houses and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected.

(iii) Restocking shall be done with swine from a negative herd.

(iv) Following two consecutive negative tests 30 to 90 days apart, the herd will be eligible for validation, and a certificate issued on proof of eligibility.

(b) Plan B. This plan is useful in herds where only a few reactors are found and where no clinical symptoms of brucellosis have been noted.

(i) All reactors should be sent to slaughter.

(ii) The herd shall be retested at 30 day intervals, removing reactors for slaughter, until the entire herd is negative.

(iii) Two negative tests not less than 90 days apart, on all breeding animals 6 months old or older, will qualify the herd for validation.

(iv) If the herd is not freed of infection within 180 days, Plan A will be recommended.

D. Herd Revalidation. Herds may be revalidated at the end of each 12-month period upon the basis of a negative test on all breeding animals 6 months old or older in the herd.

E. Cancellation of Herd Validation. If there are reactors revealed in the herd, or if the herd fails to requalify for validation renewal within 14 months, the validation certificate will be cancelled and the herd must requalify for validation in accordance with this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 15.11.06.03