The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Accredited Herd--A herd that has passed at least three consecutive official tuberculosis tests of all eligible animals conducted at nine to 15 month intervals, has no evidence of bovine tuberculosis, and meets the requirements of the UM&R.
2. (2) Affected herd--A herd that contains or has recently contained one or more animals infected with Mycobacterium bovis and has not passed the required tests for release from quarantine.
3. (3) Approved laboratory--A State/Federal Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory. The primary laboratory for tuberculosis histopathology and bacteriology culture shall be the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, Ames, Iowa. Food Safety Inspection Service, Field Service Laboratories, may be utilized for histopathology.
4. (4) Blood Tuberculosis Test (BTB)--The BTB test is a supplemental test for bovine tuberculosis in Cervidae. The BTB test may be used, at no expense to the Commission, as a supplemental test to establish the disease status of a herd or to retest suspects. Samples for this test shall only be collected by state, federal, or accredited veterinarians.
5. (5) Cervidae--All species of deer, elk, and moose raised under agricultural conditions for the production of meat, the production of other agricultural products, sport, or exhibition.
6. (6) Commission--The Texas Animal Health Commission.
7. (7) Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (CCT) Test--The intradermal injection of biologically balanced bovine PPD tuberculin and avian PPD tuberculin at separate sites in the mid-cervical area to determine the probable presence of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) by comparing the response of the two tuberculins 72 hours (plus or minus six hours) following injection. This test may be used for retesting suspects and shall be administered only by an approved state or federal veterinarian.
8. (8) Designated accredited veterinarian--An accredited veterinarian trained and approved to conduct the Single Cervical Test for tuberculosis on Cervids.
9. (9) Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist (DTE)--An epidemiologist who has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to perform the functions specified by the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules. The DTE must be selected jointly by the cooperating State Animal Health Official, the Area Veterinarian in Charge, and the Regional Epidemiologist. The National Animal Health Programs staff must concur in the appointment. The DTE has the responsibility to determine the scope of epidemiological investigations, assist in development of individual herd plans, and to coordinate disease surveillance and eradication programs within their geographic area of responsibility. The DTE has authority to make independent decisions concerning the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests and management of affected herds when those actions are supported by sound disease eradication principles.
10. (10) Direct shipment to slaughter--The shipment of tuberculosis reactors and suspects and tuberculosis-exposed cervids from the premises of origin, by permit, directly to a slaughtering establishment operating under state or federal inspection, without diversion to assembly points of any type.
11. (11) ELISA Test--The enzyme linked immunosorbant assay component of the BTB Test is recognized as a presumptive test for Bovine Tuberculosis in Cervidae. The ELISA test may be used to meet intrastate change of ownership test requirements.
12. (12) Herd--A group of cervids and other hoof stock maintained on common ground or two or more groups of cervids and other hoof stock under common ownership or supervision that are geographically separated but can have an interchange or movement without regard to health status. (A group is construed to mean one or more animals.)
13. (13) Individual Herd Plan--A written disase management plan that is designed by the herd owner and/or other herd representative and a State or Federal veterinarian to eradicate tuberculosis from an affected herd while reducing human exposure to the disease. The herd plan will include appropriate herd test frequencies, tests to be employed, and any additional disease or herd management practices deemed necessary to eradicate tuberculosis from the herd in an efficient and effective manner. The plan must be approved by the State Animal Health Official and the Area Veterinarian in Charge, and have the concurrence of the Regional or Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist.
14. (14) Monitored Herd--A herd on which identification records are maintained on animals over one year of age slaughtered and inspected for tuberculosis at an approved State/Federal slaughter facility or an approved laboratory, and animals tested negative for tuberculosis in accordance with the requirements for interstate movement specified in the Tuberculosis Eradication in Cervidae Uniform Methods and Rules. The initial qualifying total herd size is the annual average of animals one year of age or older during the initial qualifying period, which period shall not exceed three years. The combined number of slaughtered or tested animals in the sample must be evenly distributed over a three year period, and no less than half of the qualifying animals must be slaughter inspected. The rate to detect infection at a 2.0% prevalence level with 95% confidence would require a maximum number of 178 animals.

Source Note:The provisions of this §43.20 adopted to be effective August 31, 1995, 20 TexReg 5857; amended to be effective October 1, 1997, 22 TexReg 11345.