1. (a) Exotic Livestock. The following named species entering the State of Texas shall meet the specific requirements in paragraphs (1) - (4) of this subsection:

   1. (1) Exotic cervidae--Negative to a brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry if from the Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) located in the states of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana or for any free ranging exotic cervidae trapped for movement. Tuberculosis test requirements see §51.10(c) of this chapter (relating to Cervidae). Susceptible species (i.e. elk) must meet the Chronic Wasting Disease requirements, see §51.10(a) and (b) of this title.
   2. (2) Exotic Bovidae--Negative to a brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry. Negative to a tuberculosis test within 60 days prior to entry.
   3. (3) Camelidae--The executive director of the commission may require a brucellosis and tuberculosis test of any camelidae, from out of state, when there is epidemiological risk of exposure or infection to either disease. Entry may be denied based on the results of these tests or inspections.
   4. (4) Exotic Swine--Tested negative to pseudorabies and brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry or originate from a brucellosis validated free and pseudorabies qualified free herd, in addition to an entry permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection.

2. (b) Exotic Fowl.

   1. (1) Ratites--Ratites entering Texas shall meet the specific requirements listed in paragraphs (A)- (D) of this subsection:

      1. (A) Each bird will be individually identified with an RFID device, a permanently attached tag, or an implanted electronic device (microchip). The identification will be shown on the certificate of veterinary inspection along with the location and name brand of the implanted electronic device. If an animal has more than one implanted microchip, then the location, microchip number, and name brand of each will be documented on the certificate of veterinary inspection. Birds or hatching eggs must originate from flocks that show no evidence of infectious disease and have had no history of Avian Influenza in the past six months. In addition, each bird must be tested and found to be serologically negative for Avian Influenza and Salmonella pullorum-typhoid from a sample collected within 30 days of shipment. A bird serologically positive for Avian Influenza may be admitted if a virus isolation test via cloacal swab conducted within 30 days of shipment is negative for Avian Influenza. The testing is to be performed in a state approved diagnostic laboratory in the state of origin. Serologically positive birds admitted under this section must be held under quarantine on the premise of destination in Texas for virus isolation retest.
      2. (B) Ratites destined for slaughter only may enter Texas accompanied by an entry permit and either an owner-shipper statement or health certificate without meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
      3. (C) All ratites originating within Texas and changing ownership or being offered for public sale or sold by private treaty within the state must be individually identified with an implanted electronic device, a tag, or a band.
      4. (D) All identification must be maintained in the sale records for consignments to a public sale or in the records of the buyer and seller when the animals are sold at private treaty. These records must be maintained for a period of three years.
   2. (2) Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility. Exotic fowl, other than ratites, moving from an AZA accredited facility directly to another AZA accredited facility are exempt from the required pullorum-typhoid and avian influenza testing and from entry permitting provided those exotic fowl being moved are not commingled with exotic fowl or domestic poultry from other sources during the transfer. Exotic fowl sold or transferred from an AZA accredited facility located either in Texas or another state to an owner/agent in Texas that is not an AZA accredited facility must comply with all testing and entry permit requirements. Ratites moving from an AZA accredited facility must follow entry requirements for ratites set forth in §51.10(b)(1) of this title (relating to Cervidae).

Source Note:The provisions of this §51.9 adopted to be effective June 3, 2002, 27 TexReg 5182; amended to be effective November 3, 2002, 27 TexReg 10009; amended to be effective October 16, 2003, 28 TexReg 8885; amended to be effective March 4, 2007, 32 TexReg 753; amended to be effective October 14, 2007, 32 TexReg 7043; amended to be effective January 3, 2010, 34 TexReg 9404; amended to be effective June 3, 2014, 39 TexReg 4240; amended to be effective June 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 2837; amended to be effective September 16, 2025, 50 TexReg 6014.