1. (a) This regulation sets the standards for personnel who perform work in the Certified CWD Sample Collector program pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, §161.0417. Personnel may collect samples for official CWD testing in Texas as follows:

   1. (1) Effective September 1, 2015, a person, other than an accredited veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Texas, shall be a Certified CWD Sample Collector to collect and submit samples for official CWD testing.
   2. (2) To become a Certified CWD Sample Collector, a person must meet the requirements and apply for Certified CWD Sample Collector as prescribed in §47.2 of this title (relating to Requirements and Application Procedures).
   3. (3) A person desiring to perform official CWD testing shall participate in a certification program on CWD program requirements and procedures before performing any CWD program functions, including but not limited to review of the disease, proper sample collection techniques, sample preservation and laboratory submission, recordkeeping, and identification of animals.

2. (b) A Certified CWD Sample Collector shall meet the following requirements:

   1. (1) Comply with §47.4 of this title (relating to Standards for Authorized Personnel);
   2. (2) Comply with §47.5 of this title (relating to Recordkeeping);
   3. (3) Submit CWD samples only to approved laboratories; and

   4. (4) Follow all instructions as prescribed by the commission for collection of samples, including:

      1. (A) collecting the proper samples necessary for CWD detection by an approved laboratory;

      2. (B) labeling of specimen collection containers. The side label of a specimen collection container must include the following information:

         1. (i) date of collection;
         2. (ii) owner name;
         3. (iii) Certified CWD Sample Collector name;
         4. (iv) species, age and sex of animal;
         5. (v) type of specimen(s);
         6. (vi) herd ID (if applicable), official animal identification number;
         7. (vii) sample identification number;
      3. (C) packaging specimens to meet Federal transportation guidelines; and

      4. (D) fully and accurately completing the specimen submission form, which includes listing the clinical signs of CWD observed in samples collected from CWD susceptible species:

         1. (i) date of collection;
         2. (ii) owner name, address, and phone number;
         3. (iii) Certified CWD Sample Collector name, address, phone number, and email address;
         4. (iv) species, age, and sex of the animal;
         5. (v) type of specimen(s);
         6. (vi) herd ID (if applicable), all animal identification devices with a quarter-sized piece of tissue (ear, hide, etc.) attached to each device; and
         7. (vii) sample identification number.

Source Note:The provisions of this §47.22 adopted to be effective June 30, 2015, 40 TexReg 4209.