1. (1) All testing of cattle or bison in Washington state for tuberculosis shall be performed by a veterinarian accredited by the United State Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). In addition, all accredited veterinarians testing cattle or bison in Washington state for tuberculosis are required to successfully complete training in tuberculosis testing procedures provided by USDA or the department. Accredited veterinarians who have not successfully completed the training by April 30, 2010, may not perform official tuberculosis testing of cattle or bison in Washington state. Training opportunities are available by contacting the department at:

   Washington State Department of Agriculture

   Animal Services Division

   1111 Washington Street S.E.

   P.O. Box 42577

   Olympia, Washington 98504-2577

   Email: ahealth@agr.wa.gov

   Phone: 360-902-1878.

2. (2) The department may review the testing results and other records associated with tuberculosis testing of cattle or bison by accredited veterinarians in Washington state. In the event that the response rates reported by an accredited veterinarian do not meet the response rates standards established in Appendix C of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, effective January 1, 2005 (adopted in WAC 16-86-120), the director may require additional training or may refuse to accept the testing of cattle or bison for tuberculosis performed by that veterinarian.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 16-23-110, § 16-86-125, filed 11/18/16, effective 12/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 09-03-019, § 16-86-125, filed 1/9/09, effective 2/9/09.]