Wyo. Code R. 051-0001-2
General Agency, Board or Commission Rules
Chapter 2: Vaccination Against and Surveillance for Brucellosis
Effective Date: 05/23/2007 to 05/08/2009
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 051.0001.2.05232007
(a) Pursuant to the authority vested in the Wyoming Livestock Board by virtue of W.S. '11-18-103 (a) (v) the following rules are hereby promulgated.
(a) These rules are adopted to enhance the marketability of Wyoming Bovinae, address certain issues regarding the eradication of Brucellosis and to preserve Wyoming's Brucellosis Class Free Status. It is imperative that Wyoming livestock producers and veterinarians statewide be proactive in Brucellosis surveillance and prevention.
(a) The following definitions are applicable for these rules. If not defined, or listed below, refer to the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Brucellosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) as issued and amended as of October 2003. These Rules do not include any later amendments of the adopted UMR past October 2003. Copies of the UMR are available to the public at the offices of the Wyoming Livestock Board located at 2020 Carey Avenue, 4th floor, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0051, (307) 777-7515.
(i) 'Accredited Veterinarian' means an individual who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service in the state where he or she practices.
(ii) 'Approved Livestock Market' means a livestock market that is approved by the State of Wyoming to handle cattle under conditions required by the Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program.
(iii) 'B Brand' means a 2' X 3' or larger hot iron single B character brand applied to the left hip near the tail-head of a Bovinae indicating that the animal is infected with Brucellosis.
(iv) 'Board' means the Wyoming Livestock Board, state agency 051, 2020 Carey Avenue, 4th Floor, Cheyenne WY 82002-0051, (307) 777-7515.
(v) “Board Approved Individual Identification” means a permanent, green metal Wyoming identification eartag, or a permanent, silver metal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services identification eartag, or a permanent, blue metal identification eartag with the word “spayed” stamped or engraved into the metal signifying that the animal has been spayed or a permanent, orange metal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services Brucellosis Vaccination eartag. The eartag shall be placed in the right ear of a Bovinae.
(vi) “Bovinae” means a subfamily classification of the family Bovidae. For the purposes of these rules, Bovinae specifically means animals in the genus Bos (bovine animals) and animals in the genus Bison (domestic bison animals) regardless of age or gender.
(vii) “Brucellosis” means an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by Brucella abortus.
(viii) “Brucellosis Class Free Status” means a classification standard for a state that has been certified as fulfilling the requirements of this status on initial classification or reclassification by the state animal health official, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services. Included among the requirements for Class Free Status are that the Bovinae herds in the state or area within the state must have remained free from infections with field strains of Brucella abortus for at least twelve (12) months.
(ix) “Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd” means a Herd of Bovinae that has qualified for, and has been issued, a Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd certificate signed by both the appropriate State animal health official and by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection, Area Veterinarian in Charge.
(x) “Commuter Herd” means a Herd of breeding Bovinae that moves from Wyoming to an adjacent state for the purpose of feeding or grazing and then returns to Wyoming following normal ranching operations. No change of ownership may occur and no trader Bovinae are allowed within a commuter movement.
(xi) “Certified Spay Technician” means an individual who is certified by the state in which he or she resides to spay female Bovinae.
(xii) “CFR” means the United States Code of Federal Regulations, 9 CFR, Chapter I (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture), Sub-chapter B (Cooperative Control and Eradication of Livestock or Poultry Diseases) Part 51 (including all of its subparts)-Animals Destroyed Because of Brucellosis; Sub-chapter C (Interstate Transportation of Animals (Including Poultry) and Animal Products) Part 70
(including all of its subparts)-Rules of Practice Governing Proceedings Under Certain Acts and Part 78 (including all of its subparts)-Brucellosis, as issued and amended as of January 2006 shall be adopted by the Board insofar as these federal regulations are not inconsistent with the rules, regulations and laws of the State of Wyoming. These rules do not include any later amendments of the adopted Code of Federal Regulations past January 2006. Copies of the Code of Federal Regulations are available to the public at the offices of the Board.
(xiii) 'Direct Movement' means movement in which the Bovinae are not unloaded en route to their final destination and not commingled with another producer's Bovinae.
(xiv) 'Exposed Domestic Bovinae' means any domestic Bovinae, that has been exposed to a Reactor Domestic Bovinae.
(xv) 'Farm or Ranch of Origin' means the farm or ranch that Bovinae have resided on immediately prior to testing for Brucellosis.
(xvi) 'Herd' means all Bovinae under common ownership or supervision that are grouped on one or more parts of any single premise; or all Bovinae under common ownership or supervision on two or more premises that are geographically separated but in which the animals have been interchanged or had contact with animals from different premises. It will be assumed that contact between animals of the same species on the different premises has occurred unless the owner establishes otherwise and the results of the epidemiologic investigation are consistent with the lack of contact between premises.
(xvii) 'Herd Plan' means a written document outlining practices a livestock producer will take to minimize the exposure of his/her Bovinae to Brucellosis. The document must be signed by the Wyoming State Veterinarian, the livestock producer and a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services.
(xviii) 'Immediate Slaughter' means the slaughter of a Bovinae within three (3) working days at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment.
(xviii) 'Interstate Livestock Health Movement Agreement' means a written agreement that allows for the movement of Bovinae between Wyoming and adjacent states. This Agreement shall be approved by state animal health officials in the state of origin and state of destination prior to movement.
(xix) 'K Brand' means a 3' X 2' or larger hot iron, freeze, or bleach single K character brand, placed on the left hip near the tail-head of a female Bovinae being fed in a K Lot.
(xx) “K Lot” means a feedlot that is established by a contractual agreement (K Lot agreement) with the Board and feedlot operator that allows for the feeding of non Brucellosis vaccinated, female Bovinae in a feedlot based upon the operator’s compliance with the provisions of the agreement. All Bovinae shall be identified with Board Approved Individual Identification and a K Brand upon arrival. All Bovinae shall be sent directly to slaughter, to an out of state destination that will accept non vaccinates or to another feedlot holding a like agreement upon leaving the feedlot. Sexually intact Bovinae over 18 months of age and all pregnant Bovinae imported into Wyoming from a state or country with less than a Brucellosis class free status shall test negative for Brucellosis prior to entry.
(xxi) “Official Adult Vaccinate” means a female Bovinae that is over twelve (12) months of age when vaccinated using the approved vaccination procedure outlined in the Brucellosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) as issued and amended as of–October 2003, and only after written approval is issued by the Wyoming State Veterinarian and the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Area Veterinarian in Charge. The Bovinae shall be properly identified as an adult vaccinate by Board Approved Individual Identification, and a vaccination tattoo or brand, and shall be reported on the appropriate certificate to the appropriate State and Federal animal health agencies.
(xxii) “Official Calfhood Vaccinate” means a female Bovinae that has been inoculated between four (4) months and twelve (12) months of age with a United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services and Board approved Brucella vaccine, by a State or Federal representative or an Accredited Veterinarian using the approved vaccination procedure outlined in the Brucellosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) as issued and amended as of October 2003. The Bovinae shall be properly identified as a vaccinate by Board Approved Individual Identification, and a vaccination tattoo, and shall have been reported on the appropriate certificate to the appropriate State and Federal animal health agencies. Verification of official vaccinate status requires evidence of the vaccination shield.
(xxiii) “Permit” means an official document (VS Form 1-27) that is issued by a State or Federal representative or by an Accredited Veterinarian. The Permit is required to accompany all Brucellosis Reactor Bovinae and Brucellosis Exposed Bovinae that are being moved to a specified destination.
(xxiv) “Post Parturient” means a Bovinae that has given birth.
(xxv) “Quarantine” as used in these rules, means an official document, issued by the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his authorized representative, that restricts the movement of specific Bovinae and shall set forth requirements for Quarantine release.
(xxvi) “Reactor Domestic Bovinae” means any domestic Bovinae that the designated Brucellosis epidemiologist classifies as reactor based on the serological results as defined in the UMR or from which a field strain isolate of Brucella abortus has been confirmed by a recognized laboratory.
(xxvii) “Recognized Slaughter Establishment” means any slaughter establishment operating under the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601-695) including all amendments as of August 2006 or the Wyoming Food Safety Rule found at Chapter 1 Purpose, Variances, Definitions, Demonstrations of Knowledge, and Health Status as promulgated and amended by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture as of August 2003. This does not include any later amendments past August 2006 and August 2003 respectively. These documents are available to the public at the office of the Board.
(xxviii) “Replacement Bovinae” means Bovinae that will be used as breeding stock.
(xxix) “S Brand” means a 2' X 3' hot iron single S character brand applied to the left hip near the tail-head of a Bovinae signifying that the animal is a Brucellosis suspect.
(xxx) “Test-Eligible” means all sexually intact Bovinae eighteen (18) months of age and over (as evidenced by the loss of the first pair of temporary incisor teeth). All Bovinae that are pregnant or Post Parturient are test eligible regardless of age.
(xxxi) “UMR” means the Brucellosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules as issued and amended as of October 2003 by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. These Rules do not include any later amendments of the UMR past October 2003. Copies of the UMR are available to the public at the offices of the Board.
(xxxii) “USDA/APHIS/AVIC” means the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Area Veterinarian in Charge.
(xxxiii) “USDA/APHIS/VS” means the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.
(xxxiv) “Vaccination Eligible” means sexually intact female Bovinae between the ages of four (4) and twelve (12) months of age.
(xxxv) “Wyoming Licensed Veterinarian” means an individual who is licensed by the State of Wyoming to practice veterinary medicine in Wyoming.
(xxxvi) “Wyoming State Veterinarian” means an Accredited Veterinarian employed by the Board who serves as the State Veterinarian for the State of Wyoming.
(a) Penalties for a violation of these rules shall be pursuant to law.
(a) The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Brucellosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) as issued and amended as of October 2003 shall be adopted by the Wyoming Livestock Board insofar as those procedures are not inconsistent with the rules, regulations and laws of the State of Wyoming. These rules do not include any later amendments of the UMR past October 2003. Copies of the UMR are available to the public at the office of the Board.
(b) The United States Code of Federal Regulations, 9 CFR, Chapter I (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture), Sub-chapter B (Cooperative Control and Eradication of Livestock or Poultry Diseases) Part 51 (including all of its subparts)-Animals Destroyed Because of Brucellosis; Sub-chapter C (Interstate Transportation of Animals (Including Poultry) and Animal Products) Part 70 (including all of its subparts)-Rules of Practice Governing Proceedings Under Certain Acts and Part 78 (including all of its subparts)-Brucellosis, as issued and amended as of January 2006, shall be adopted by the Board insofar as these federal regulations are not inconsistent with the rules, regulations and laws of the State of Wyoming. These rules do not include any later amendments of the Code of Federal Regulations past January 2006. Copies of the Code of Federal Regulations are available to the public at the offices of the Board.
(a) Before a change in ownership can occur for any Wyoming origin female Bovinae over twelve (12) months of age, born in Wyoming after March 1, 1999, the Bovinae shall be an Official Calfhood Vaccinate.
(i) The following are exemptions from this mandatory vaccination requirement:
(A) Bovinae consigned for Immediate Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment and moving under Direct Movement from a Herd to the Recognized Slaughter Establishment;
(B) Bovinae that are moving under Direct Movement to an Approved Livestock Market where they will be sold and destined to a state or nation that will accept non vaccinated Bovinae;
(C) Bovinae consigned directly to a state or nation that will accept non vaccinated Bovinae;
(D) Spayed female Bovinae that have been spayed by a licensed veterinarian or a Certified Spay Technician and that are identified with Board Approved Identification which in this case is a permanent, blue metal identification eartag with the word “spayed” stamped or engraved into the metal of the eartag signifying that the animal has been spayed;
(E) Bovinae that are moving under Direct Movement to an approved K Lot;
(F) Bovinae that have been approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian and the USDA/APHIS/AVIC for adult vaccination to become Adult Vaccinates.
(b) All Brucellosis vaccination certificates shall be submitted directly to the Board by an Accredited Veterinarian or a State or Federal representative within two (2) weeks of the vaccination being performed.
(a) All sexually intact female domestic Bovinae grazed within the boundaries of the Bridger Teton National Forest, Shoshone National Forest and the Targhee National Forest shall be Official Calfhood Vaccinates against Brucellosis.
(i) The following is an exemption from this vaccination requirement:
(A) Nursing female calves at their mother’s side.
(a) Written approval from the Wyoming State Veterinarian and USDA/APHIS/AVIC shall be obtained prior to the vaccination of female domestic Bovinae over twelve (12) months of age to become Official Adult Vaccinates. The owner of the Bovinae may make a single request to the Wyoming State Veterinarian who will secure approval of the USDA/APHIS/AVIC if they both determine the request is acceptable.
(b) Written approval for vaccination shall not be issued for Bovinae imported in violation of import requirements until the illegal import violation has been adjudicated.
(a) All Test-Eligible female Bovinae within an area enclosed by the following boundaries: starting at the intersection of the Idaho-Wyoming state line, the Teton county line and Yellowstone National park boundary continuing east along the Teton county line to the Park county line, following the Park county line southeast to the western Wind River Reservation boundary, following the Wind River Reservation boundary south to the Sublette County line, following the Sublette county line south to the Sweetwater county line, following the Sweetwater/Sublette county line west to the Bridger-Teton National Forest Boundary, following the Bridger-Teton southern boundary west to the Idaho border, following the Idaho border north to the starting point are required to be tested negative for Brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to a change of ownership, interstate movement, or prior to leaving the area stated above unless waived by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(i) The following are exemptions from this testing requirement:
(A) Test Eligible female Bovinae moving directly from the Farm or Ranch of Origin to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment or to an Approved Livestock Market to be sold for Immediate Slaughter may move without being tested if the identity of the Herd of origin is maintained.
(B) Commuter Herds moving from Wyoming to an adjacent state may have this testing requirement waived if the state veterinarians in each state agree and concur in writing. This shall be handled on a case by case basis.
(C) Female Bovinae moving from a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd are exempt from this testing requirement and shall move with a certificate of veterinary health inspection identifying the Herd of origin as a Certified Free Herd.
(D) Female Bovinae moving from a Herd with a valid Herd Plan will not be subject to additional testing other than that outlined in the Herd Plan, unless the Wyoming State Veterinarian deems it necessary.
(E) Official Calfhood Vaccinates under the age of 20 months that are not Post Parturient and are not pregnant do not need to meet this testing requirement.
(b) All Test-Eligible female Bovinae that move to an Approved Livestock Market for sale are required to be tested negative for Brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to leaving the Approved Livestock Market.
(i) The following are exemptions from this testing requirement:
(A) Test-Eligible female Bovinae moving to an Approved Livestock Market to be sold for Immediate Slaughter may move without being tested if the identity of the Farm or Ranch of Origin is maintained.
(B) Test-Eligible female Bovinae moving to an Approved Livestock Market from a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd are exempt from this testing requirement and may move with a certificate of veterinary health inspection identifying the Herd of origin as a Certified Free Herd.
(C) Official Calfhood Vaccinates under the age of 20 months that are not Post Parturient and are not pregnant do not need to meet this testing requirement.
(D) Test-Eligible female Bovinae that are not pregnant and that are Directly Moving to a feedlot previously approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian may move without being tested if the identity of the Farm or Ranch of Origin is maintained. Prior to leaving the feedlot, the Bovinae will need to be tested unless they go to Immediate Slaughter.
(c) This Section shall be re-examined beginning August 2009 unless it has been re-examined within the prior 12 months.
(a) A Herd may qualify for status as a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd by a complete herd blood test arranged and certified by USDA/APHIS.
(i) For initial certification the herd shall be tested twice ten (10) to fourteen (14) months apart. All Bovinae shall test negative for Brucellosis on both the initial and second tests.
(ii) For annual re-certification, the Herd shall have a negative blood test between ten (10) and twelve (12) months after the last certification date.
(iii) The USDA/APHIS protocol for certification shall be followed.
(iv) Bovinae from a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd are exempt from the intrastate and interstate test requirements as long as the movement is directly from the Certified Brucellosis Free Herd and the identification of the Herd of origin is maintained. A certificate is required for movement of Bovinae from a Certified Brucellosis Free Herd.
(a) It is the livestock owner's responsibility to ensure that all Test Eligible Bovinae that leave a Herd are identified with Board Approved Individual Identification prior to a change of ownership. The Accredited Veterinarian who authorizes the identification of the animal shall report this identification to the cooperating animal health agencies on forms provided by the Board. Bovinae already identified with Board Approved Individual Identification do not need any additional identification. If no Board Approved Individual Identification is present, a green metal Wyoming identification tag or a silver USDA/APHIS/VS tag shall be inserted in the right ear of the Bovinae. No report is necessary on Bovinae already identified with Board Approved Individual Identification. Board Approved Individual Identification can only be removed upon written approval of the Board.
(a) All dairy Herds shall be submitted to quarterly brucellosis ring tests and results will be reported to the Board, Wyoming State Veterinarian and the USDA/APHIS/VS Area Veterinarian in Charge for Wyoming in accordance with the UMR.
(a) Bovinae that are tested in Wyoming and give a suspicious reaction to an official blood test for Brucellosis shall be Quarantined in a pen at the Farm or Ranch of Origin and subject to an official retest made not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days from the date of collecting the blood sample with the suspicious reaction, and shall be dealt with in a manner that is consistent with procedures outlined in the UMR, insofar as those procedures are not inconsistent with the rules, regulations and laws of the State of Wyoming. All Bovinae that are tested and give a suspicious reaction shall have a silver USDA/APHIS/VS Identification tag placed in their left ear that may only be removed upon negative test results for Brucellosis and release of Quarantine by the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his authorized representative.
(a) The Wyoming State Veterinarian, or his authorized representative, shall issue a Quarantine of all Reactor Domestic Bovinae and the Herd associated with the Reactor Domestic Bovinae. Reactor Domestic Bovinae and other domestic Bovinae in the associated Herd shall be held subject to the Quarantine and shall not be offered for sale, or given away except with written permission of the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his authorized representative. The Reactor Domestic Bovinae and other Reactor Domestic
Bovinae in the associated Herd held subject to the Quarantine may also be moved pursuant to Section 16 of these Rules.
Section 15. Quarantine of Exposed Domestic Bovinae.
(a) The Wyoming State Veterinarian or his authorized representative, shall issue a Quarantine of all Exposed Domestic Bovinae and the Herd associated with the Exposed Domestic Bovinae. Exposed Domestic Bovinae and other domestic Bovinae in the associated Herd shall be held subject to the Quarantine and shall not be offered for sale, or given away except with written permission of the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his authorized representative. The Exposed Domestic Bovinae and other domestic Bovinae in the associated Herd held subject to the Quarantine may also be moved pursuant to Section 16 of these Rules.
Section 16. Movement of Quarantined Bovinae.
(a) Movement of Quarantined Bovinae will only be allowed by Permit as outlined in the UMR, insofar as those procedures are not inconsistent with the rules, regulations and laws of the State of Wyoming. Reactor Bovinae shall be B Branded prior to movement. All other Exposed Bovinae shall be S Branded prior to movement. A Permit may only be issued under the following conditions:
(i) Direct Movement to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment for Immediate Slaughter;
(ii) Direct Movement to an Approved Livestock Market, to be sent to a Recognized Slaughter Establishment for Immediate Slaughter;
(iii) Direct Movement to a Quarantined Feedlot (S branded Bovinae only); or
(iv) Direct Movement to a research facility as specifically approved by the Board.
Section 17. Release of Quarantined Bovinae.
(a) Release of Quarantine is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all conditions set forth in the UMR for handling infected or restricted Herds, and with approval of state and federal animal health officials.