1. (a) Definition of Zone Boundaries: The Movement Restriction Zone ("MRZ") is defined as a geographic area which includes an Affected Area, where bovine tuberculosis occurs or has historically occurred, and a Surveillance Area where the disease has not been detected, but which serves as a buffer area between the Affected Area and the Free Zone of Texas. The boundaries of the referenced zones and areas are as follows:

   1. (1) MRZ: The area of El Paso County and Hudspeth County which lies within the boundaries established by the Rio Grande River on the West; Loop 375 to FM 659 to US 62/180 on the North; the El Paso County line to I-10 to Spur 148 at Ft Hancock on the East; and Spur 148 to the Rio Grande River on the South.

      1. (A) Affected Area within the MRZ: The area of the MRZ in El Paso County which lies west of I-10, as defined above.
      2. (B) Surveillance Area within the MRZ: The area of the MRZ in El Paso County which lies east of I-10, and all of the MRZ in Hudspeth County, as defined above.
   2. (2) Free Zone: The area of Texas not included in the MRZ.

2. (b) The movement of livestock out of the MRZ must be strictly controlled. The movement of all cattle, bison, goats, captive cervids, exotic bovids, and camelids shall be documented on a movement certificate issued by an authorized representative of the State or Federal government. (Accepted documents include VS Form 1-27 permits, Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, and state approved certificates for intrastate movement). The certificate shall include an official identification of each animal in the consignment, and the date and results of tuberculosis tests as specified below.

   1. (1) Breeding animals, including cattle, bison, goats, exotic bovids, and camelids, shall be negative to a tuberculosis test within 60 days of movement. Animals from an Accredited herd are exempt from this test requirement.
   2. (2) Feeder animals, including steers, spayed heifers, and heifers restricted to designated feedlots, may be moved without a tuberculosis test.
   3. (3) Slaughter animals may be moved directly to a state or federally inspected slaughter establishment without a tuberculosis test.

   4. (4) Captive cervids must meet the following test requirements for movement from the MRZ:

      1. (A) Animals from Accredited herds may be moved without a tuberculosis test.
      2. (B) Animals from Qualified or Monitored herds shall be negative to a tuberculosis test within 90 days of movement.
      3. (C) Animals less than 12 months of age that originate from an Accredited, Qualified, or Monitored herd, may be moved without a tuberculosis test.
      4. (D) Animals from all other herds shall be negative to two tuberculosis tests conducted at least 90 days apart, with the second test conducted within 90 days of movement. In addition, the animals in a consignment must be separated from all other members of the herd during the testing period.

3. (c) Importation of cattle, bison, goats, captive cervids, exotic bovids, and camelids into the MRZ:

   1. (1) To a market - All such livestock will keep the tuberculosis status of the Tuberculosis Free Zone if they are maintained separately from restricted animals originating within the MRZ . To maintain this status, they must be moved directly out of the MRZ from the market within three days of sale with the appropriate movement certificates. Specific arrangement of pens and facilities necessary to provide effective biosecurity must be approved by a representative of the Commission.
   2. (2) To a farm - Animals will assume the lower status of the MRZ, or they must comply with status of the herd, if it is different (e.g. accredited free in the MRZ.)
   3. (3) Captive Cervidae cannot be moved into the MRZ unless they are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection verifying they have been tested twice for tuberculosis at least 90 days apart, or tested as per interstate movement requirements stated in 9CFR, Part 77 and are negative (these requirements are summarized in subsection (b)(4) of this section).

Source Note:The provisions of this §43.30 adopted to be effective April 8, 2001, 26 TexReg 2534.