01-001 C.M.R. ch. 207
SUMMARY: Equine Infectious Anemia is a disease that affects only equines. The diagnosis is achieved by applying the Coggins Test. Equines entering Maine must have been tested negative within six months. Maine horses must be tested every three years and found negative to race, exhibit or stable where other horses are assembled.
1. Certificate Requirements
All horses or other equidae imported into the State of Maine shall be accompanied by an Official Equine Infectious Anemia Certificate from the State or Country of origin, which shall be approved by the Chief Livestock Official, showing evidence of being tested and found negative to the Coggins or Agar gel immuno/diffusion test within six (6) months of date of entry, except nursing foals under six (6) months. Such test shall be conducted by laboratories approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, and the official blood sample shall be taken and certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian.
2. Official Test
The Agar Gel immuno/diffusion (Coggins Test) shall be the official test for Equine Infectious Anemia (hereinafter "E.I.A.").
3. Restrictions of an EIA Reactor
When a horse has been tested by the Coggins Test with positive results, the animal shall be confined to specific premises as defined by Title 7 M.R.S.A. §1820, until an Accredited Veterinarian of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has conducted the necessary test for release of quarantine.
A. If an E.I.A. positive horse is clinically ill and exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms, be shall remain in quarantine or be disposed of as the Commissioner may direct:
1. History of rapid loss of flesh;
2. Loss of spirit and energy;
3. Evidence of muscular weakness with intermittent attacks of fever;
4. Congestion of the mucous membranes of the eye;
5. Some degree of jaundice;
6. Dropsical swellings of the lower parts of the body.
B. Clinically ill E.I.A. positive reactors shall remain quarantined or be euthanatized or sent to slaughter. Interstate movement of reactor animals from Maine will be permitted if in compliance with States involved and federal regulations (VS Form 1-27). If euthanatized, a written notice sent from the owner to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry stating the date, time, and place the euthanasia was conducted is required.
Equines reacting positive to the Coggins Test for E.I.A. shall be permanently identified by freeze branding and lip tattoo.
No Equine Infectious Anemia shall be imported or produced in the State without previous permit from the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry,
No test results shall be recognized from any person or laboratory not approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The State-Federal Cooperative laboratory will be the official state laboratory.
Official blood sample shall be taken by an accredited veterinarian or a veterinarian employed by the State or Federal Department of Agriculture.
All animals under test shall remain on premises where blood sample was taken, until test results are reported to the Owner or his agent, unless a permit is obtained from the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for movement to another location.
Retesting of other animals exposed on the same premises to a positive reactor shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
The Commissioner shall require a negative Coggins Test within thirty-six (36) months, on all horses raced, exhibited, or stabled on race tracks or fair grounds where other horses are being raced, exhibited or stabled.
The person or persons in charge of race meets, exhibitions, stables on race tracks or fair grounds where horses are being raced, exhibited, or stabled, shall ascertain that a copy of the official test accompanies each equine and such reports shall be available for inspection by an agent of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry upon request. Failure to furnish such reports shall exclude equines from the events.
Chapter IX, Section 13(a) of the Rules and Regulations of the Maine State Harness Racing Commission is hereby deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and applicable to all horses assembled at a Harness Race Meet, including but not limited to standardbred horses, lead ponies, marshall mounts, stallions and brood mares. Harness Racing Commission personnel may assist in the enforcement of this regulation insofar as they are permitted and authorized by law. Whoever violates these regulations shall be punishable as provided in Title 7, M.R.S.A. §1706.
A. A negative "Coggins Test Certificate" properly identifying the horse by tattoo number issued by an approved laboratory, certifying that within the prior thirty-six (36) months the horse has been tested negative shall be presented to a track member for any horse before it will be allowed entrance to, or remain upon, the grounds of a licensed track conducting meetings.
B. Declaration shall not be accepted for any horse to any race unless the declarer has furnished the Race Secretary with a negative "Coggins Test" written certificate for that horse, as required by Sub-Section A above.
C. No eligibility or validation certificate shall be issued for a horse from which a positive "Coggins Test" has been reported. If an eligibility or validation certificate is issued and thereof, the certificate must be returned immediately by the holder to the U.S.T.A.
Note: Refer to the Rules and Regulations of the Maine State Harness Racing Commission, Chapter 9, Section 13.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 7 M.R.S.A. § 1752, 1820.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 13, 1975
AMENDED:
February 26, 1976
June 15, 1977 October 24, 1977 October 30, 1978
RE-ADOPTED:
August 22, 1979
AMENDED:
January 12, 1982
EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION):
May 4, 1996
CONVERTED TO MS WORD:
May 13, 2008
CORRECTIONS:
February, 2014 – agency names, formatting