This regulation sets the standards for personnel who perform work in the Texas Bovine Brucellosis Program pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, §163.064. Personnel may perform bovine brucellosis work in Texas as follows.

1. (1) Collecting and submitting blood samples. Only approved personnel may collect and submit blood samples. Approved personnel and employees of approved veterinarians may apply official eartags and backtags and record individual identification on the test record.
2. (2) Performing the card test. Only approved personnel who hold valid card test permits may conduct the card test.
3. (3) Vaccinating. Only approved personnel may calfhood vaccinate eligible heifers for brucellosis. Approved personnel and employees of approved veterinarians may affix vaccination eartags and record vaccinations on the vaccination certificate. Only Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) veterinarians and inspectors and USDA veterinary medical officers and animal health technicians may adult vaccinate cattle for brucellosis.
4. (4) An approved veterinarian's technician or other employee must work under the direct supervision of an approved veterinarian while performing brucellosis work as permitted herein except an approved employee who is only collecting blood samples on animals to be consigned directly from the ranch to slaughter and submitting them to the state/federal laboratory for testing may do so under general supervision. The approved veterinarian is responsible for assuring that approved veterinarian's technicians and other employees working under his/her supervision comply with all TAHC regulations.

Source Note:The provisions of this §47.2 adopted to be effective December 18, 1992, 17 TexReg 8288; amended to be effective December 31, 2006, 31 TexReg 10297.