Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
1 
 BELIZE: 
 
 
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT  
 
NO.    OF 2011 
 
 
BELIZE AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AUTHORITY (PREVENTION, CONTROL AND 
ERADICATION OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 2011 
 
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS 
 
  
 
1. Citation.  
2. Interpretation. 
3. Competent authority. 
4. Notifiable animal disease. 
5. General provisions of the National Bovine Tuberculosis Programme. 
6. Determination of health status and free herd certification. 
7. Cancellation and revalidation of free herd certification.  
8. Programme evaluation. 
9.  Identification. 
10. Diagnosis and tuberculinization. 
11. Caudal fold test. 
12. Comparative cervical test. 
13. Simple cervical test. 
14. Bacteriology, histopathology, and molecular biology analysis. 
15. Diagnosis. 
16. Gamma Interferon Assay. 
17. Management of unit infected with bovine tuberculosis. 
18. Management of controlled calf rearing unit. 
19. Slaughter. 
20.  Movement. 
21. Importation. 
22. Epidemiological surveillance. 
23. Quarantine measure. 
24. Disinfection. 
25. Contingency funds. 
26. Evaluation of compliance. 
27. Fees. 
28. Offence and penalty. 
29. Commencement. 
 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
2 
 BELIZE: 
 
 
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT  
 
NO.    OF  2011 
 
REGULATIONS made by the Minister, after consultation with the Belize 
Agricultural Health Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him 
by section 86 of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority Act, Chapter 211 
of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000-2003; and all other 
powers thereunto it enabling. 
 
(Gazetted …………, 2011). 
 
_________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
1. These Regulations may be cited as the 
 
BELIZE AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AUTHORITY (PREVENTION, CONTROL 
AND ERADICATION OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 2011. 
 
 
2. In these Regulations 
 
“accreditation” means the act through which the Authority recognizes veterinarians and 
laboratories to perform sanitary activities referred to in these Regulations; 
 
“accredited veterinarian” means a veterinarian recognized and approved by the Authority 
to conduct sanitary activities pertinent to these Regulations;  
 
	
		
 
 
“animal” means a bovine animal; 
 
“animal positive to the tuberculin test” means an animal that has been subjected to one or 
more official intradermal tuberculin diagnostic tests with positive results; 
 
“approved fattening unit with restricted pasture” means installations authorized by the 
Authority according to the protocols established in “Appendix G”, given prior request by 
the district veterinarian and producers; 
 
	

Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
3 
 “approved laboratory” means laboratory recognized and authorized by the Authority to 
perform sanitary activities referred to in these Regulations;  
 
“area under quarantine” means a geographical area, production unit or farm declared 
under quarantine by provisions of the Act; 
 
“Authority” means the Belize Agricultural Health Authority established under section 3 
of the Act; 
 
 
“authorization” means the act through which the Authority recognizes organizations 
coordinating movement controls to perform the sanitary activities referred to in these 
Regulations; 
 
 
“beef cattle” means the type of animal in a production unit specialized for beef 
production;  
 
“BNLR” means the Belize National Livestock Registry;  
 
“bovine” means cattle; 
 
“bovine tuberculosis” means an infectious and contagious zoonotic disease caused by 
mycobacterium bovis characterized by a progressive and chronic course; 
 
 “castrated animal” means an animal whose testicles or ovaries have been surgically 
removed; 
 
“cattle” means bos indicus, bos taurus and water buffalo; 
 
 
“certification of free herds” means the procedures through which the official documents 
are granted by the  Authority to the owner of a herd for demonstrating that the animals 
are free of bovine tuberculosis through the application of procedures described in these 
Regulations;  
 
“Committee” means the Committee established to support the implementation of the 
Programme;  
 
“compartment” means an animal subpopulation contained in one or more establishments 
under a common biosecurity management system with a distinct health status with 
respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required surveillance, control 
and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade; 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
4 
 “confinement” means the isolation, observation and movement restriction of animals due 
to suspicion or existence of bovine tuberculosis until the final destination of the amimals 
is determined; 
 
“control” means the group of sanitary measures the objective of which is to reduce the 
incidence or prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in a prescribed geographical area; 
 
“controlled dairy replacement unit” means a production unit recognized by the Authority 
for the housing and rearing of dairy heifer calves and heifers; 
 
“country” means Belize; 
 
“dairy cattle” means the type of animal in a production unit specialized for milk 
production;   
 
“designated fattening unit” means the installations authorized by the Authority in 
accordance with the protocol established in “Appendix C”;  
 
“diagnostic test” means a test authorized by the Athority for the Programme;   
 
“district veterinarian” means the official veterinarian designated to supervise and 
coordinate Programme activities in the northern, central, western or southern region of 
Belize; 
 
“dual purpose animal” means the type of animal in a production unit which produces 
cattle for beef or milk; 
 
“entire animal” means an animal that has its reproductive organs intact; 
 
“epidemiological surveillance” means the the systematic ongoing collection, collation, 
and analysis of information related to tuberculosis and the timely dissemination of 
information  so that action can be taken; 
“eradication” means the group of sanitary measures the  objective of which is to eliminate 
bovine tuberculosis in a prescribed geographical area; 
 
“establishment” means the premises in which animals are kept; 
 
“exposed animal” means a bovine that has had contact with one or more infected animals;   
 
“free herd” means a herd that has a valid Free Herd Certificate  issued by the Authority; 
 
 
 “Free Herd Certificate” means the official document granted by the Authority to the 
owner of a herd for compliance with the requirements established for the recognition of 
herds free of bovine tuberculosis; 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
5 
 “herd” means a number of animals of one kind kept together under human control or a 
congregation of gregarious wild animals; and for the purposes of these Regulations a herd 
shall be regarded as an epidemiological unit; 
 
“herd of origin” means a herd in which the origin of one or more animals is known and in 
which is found the breeding animals that gave birth to the animals in question; 
 
“herd test” means the application of the tuberculin test to a group of animals in a herd 
older than six weeks of age; 
 
“herd tuberculosis status report” means an  official document issued by official or 
accredited veterinarians in which the results of a  diagnostic test are reported; 
 
 
“identification of positive animals” means the application of a permanent mark with the 
letter “T” on the left masseter muscle; 
 
“infected animal” means an animal in which the presence of M. bovis has been laboratory 
confirmed or in which epidemiological studies, including field and laboratory tests, show 
evidence of the presence of M. bovis;  
 
“infected herd” means a herd in which there is strong and substancial evidence of the 
existence of M. bovis; 
 
“M. bovis” means Mycobacterium bovis; 
 
“
”	



 
“negative animal” means an animal that has been subjected to one or more official 
tuberculosis diagnostic tests producing  negative results; 
 
“OIE” means The World Organization for Animal Health; 
 
“OIE Terrestrial Code” the most up-to-date version of the Terrestrial Animal Health 
Code as approved and published by the OIE from time to time; 
 
“official programme ear tag” means the ear tag used for individual animal identification 
by the Belize National Livestock Registry;  
 
“official veterinarian” means a professional employee of the Authority who performs  
functions under these Regulations; 
 
“officially free herd” means the assurance of free herds in control areas conducted by 
official veterinarians for the purpose of moving cattle to areas in more advanced phases; 
 
“PCR” means Polymerase Chain Reaction; Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
6 
  
“permanent mark” means any indelible mark on the body of an  animal for identification 
purposes; 
 
“population” means the total number of bovine in a given area; 
 
“PPD” means Purified Protein Derivative; 
 
“prevalence” means the number of cases or outbreaks of tuberculosis in an animal 
population in a defined geographical area during a specific period; 
 
“producer” means the owner of cattle whose activities include breeding, cow-calf 
operations, fattening or milk production; 
 
“production unit” means a ranch, farm, stable, corral or other similar place that houses 
cattle;  
 
“Programme” means the National Bovine Tuberculosis Programme;  
 
“Programme coordinator” means the veterinarian designated by the Authority to 
coordinate programme activities and the district veterinarians in the different regions of 
the country; 
 
 “Programme phases” means the sanitary classification of the stages in which the region, 
district or community is found, according to the advances of the Programme as 
recognized by the Authority; 
 
“quarantine” means the sanitary measure based on the isolation, observation and 
movement restriction of animals due to suspicion or existence of bovine tuberculosis; 
 
“ranching” means the livestock activity the  purpose of which is the feeding of cattle on 
pasture;  
 
“registered disinfectants” means chemical products registered by the Authority for use in 
the installations and vehicles for the elimination of M. bovis; 
 
“routine slaughter” means cattle for consumption that enters the slaughter plant without 
any reference to bovine tuberculosis; 
 
“sample” means blood, sera, fluids, tissues, organs, secretions or excretions on which 
laboratory diagnostic tests are to be conducted to identify the presence of bovine 
tuberculosis; 
 “seal” means an official provision installed on doors or compartments of vehicles 
transporting animals for the purpose of guaranteeing that during transportation animals 
are neither added nor removed; 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
7 
 “slaughterhouse” means premises, including facilities for moving or lairaging animals 
used for the slaughter of animals to produce animal products and approved by veterinary 
services or other competent authority; 
  
“subpopulation” means a distinct part of a population identifiable according to specific 
common animal health characteristics; 
 
“suspect herd” means the herd in which infection has not been confirmed but is under 
epidemiological investigation; 
 
“transporter” means the person licensed by the Authority to transport animals; 
 
“tuberculin” means the antigen used for the diagnosis of Bovine tuberculosis; 
 
 “tuberculosis field control forms” means basic working forms on which are entered the 
initial results of field diagnostic tests; 
 
“unit” means an individually identifiable element used to describe, for example, the 
members of a population or the elements selected when sampling; 
 
“zoonosis” means a disease or infection which is naturally transmissible from animals to 
humans or vice versa; 
 
“zone” means the northern, central, western and southern part of the country.  
 
 
 
3. (1) The Authority is  designated as the competent authority responsible for the 
implementation of these Regulations. 
 
(2)  In implementing these Regulations as prescribed in sub-regulation (1), the 
Authority may collaborate with auxiliary organizations, the government and the cattle 
industry. 
 
 
4. (1) Bovine Tuberculosis is a notifiable animal disease in Belize. 
 
     (2) A person who suspects or has diagnostic evidence of the presence of Bovine 
Tuberculosis in an animal whether the animal is alive or dead, shall notify the Authority 
within twenty-four hours of the suspicion or evidence of Bovine Tuberculosis. 
 
5. (1) The Programme being implemented through these Regulations shall be 
implemented in a general, permanent and mandatory manner.  
 Competent 
authority.






General 
provisions of the 
National Bovine 
Tuberculosis 
Programme. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
8 
 (2) The Programme consists in the establishment of the diagnosis, prevention, 
control and eradication of tuberculosis in cattle and Water Buffalo regardless of breed 
and production activity. 
 
 
(3) The protection of regions, districts, communities, herds free of the disease or in 
advanced programme phases shall be effected through the strict control of animal 
movement, coordinated among all stakeholders. 
 
(4)  The accredited veterinarians must coordinate activities with the Programme 
Coordinator and the official veterinarians of the Authority.  
 
 
6.(1) The Authority may declare the country of Belize or a zone within the country of 
Belize as free from bovine tuberculosis where  the country or a zone  complies with  the 
following requirements 
 
(a) that M. bovis infection in domestic (permanently captive and owned free-
range) bovines including cattle and water buffalo has been declared as as a 
notifiable disease in the country or zone; 
 
(b)  that an on-going awareness programme  is in place in the country or zone to 
encourage reporting of all cases suggestive of bovine tuberculosis; 
 
(c) that regular and periodic testing of all cattle and water buffalo  herds 
demonstrates that M.  bovis infection was not present in at least ninety-nine 
percent (99.9%) of the herds and ninety-nine percent (99.9%) of the cattle 
and water buffalo in the country or zone for three (3) consecutive years; 
 
(d) that a surveillance programme  is in place to detect bovine tuberculosis in the 
country or zone through ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection as 
described in Chapter 6.2 of the OIE Terrestrial Code; 
 
(e) if the surveillance programme in place in the country or zone described in 
paragraphs (c) and (d) has demonstrated that M. bovis infection was not 
present in at least ninety-nine percent (99.9%) of the herds and ninety-nine 
percent (99.9%) of the cattle and buffalo in the country or zone for 
5 consecutive years, surveillance may be maintained through ante-mortem 
and post-mortem inspection as stipulated  in paragraph (d); 
 
(f) that cattle and water buffalo introduced into the country or a zone free from 
bovine tuberculosis  is accompanied by a certificate from an Official 
Veterinarian attesting that the cattle or water buffalo come from a country, 
zone, compartment or herd free from bovine tuberculosis or comply with the 
relevant provisions in Article 11.6.5 or in Article 11.6.6 of the OIE 
Terrestrial Code. Determination 
of health status 
and free herd 
certification. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
9 
  
(2)   A bovine producer or a group of bovine producers may apply in writing to the 
Authority for a certification that a compartment in which bovine animals are reared by 
that bovine producer or group of bovine producers qualifies as a compartment free from 
bovine tuberculosis. 
 
(3) A bovine producer or group of bovine producers applying under sub-regulation (2) 
shall satisfy the Authority  
 
(a) that the cattle and water buffalo in the compartment 
 
(i) have shown no signs of bovine tuberculosis or lesions at ante-mortem or 
post-mortem inspection for at least three (3) consecutive years; 
 
(ii) were over six (6) weeks of age at the time of the first tuberculin test and 
have shown a negative result to at least two tuberculin tests carried out at a 
minimal  interval of  six (6) months, the first test being performed at least 
six (6) months following the slaughter of the last affected animal; 
 
(iii)have met one of the following conditions 
 
(aa)  shown a negative result to twice yearly tuberculin tests to 
ensure the continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis if the 
annual percentage of herds confirmed as infected with 
tuberculosis is more than one percent (1%) of all herds in the 
country or zone during the last two (2) years; or 
 
(bb)  shown a negative result to an annual tuberculin test to ensure 
the continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis if the annual 
percentage of herds confirmed as infected with tuberculosis is 
more than zero point one percent (0.1%) but not more than one 
percent (1%) of all herds in the country or zone during the last 
two (2) years; or 
 
(cc)  shown a negative result to a tuberculin test every three 
(3) years to ensure the continuing absence of bovine 
tuberculosis if the annual percentage of herds confirmed as 
infected with tuberculosis is not more than zero point one 
percent (0.1%) of all herds in the country or zone during the 
last four (4) years; or 
 
(dd)  shown a negative result to a tuberculin test every four (4) years 
to ensure the continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis if the 
annual percentage of herds confirmed as infected with 
tuberculosis is not more than zero point one percent (0.1%) of 
all herds in the country or zone during the last six (6) years, Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
10 
  
 
(b) that the bovine introduced into the compartment come from a herd free from 
bovine tuberculosis 
 
provided that  this condition may be waived for animals which have been 
isolated for at least ninety (90) days and which, prior to entry into the 
compartment, were subjected to at least two (2) tuberculin tests carried out at 
a six (6) month intervals with negative results and with the second tuberculin 
test performed during the thirty (30) days prior to entry into the compartment; 
 
(c) that the cattle and water buffalo in a compartment free from bovine 
tuberculosis are protected from contact with wildlife reservoirs of bovine 
tuberculosis and are managed under a common biosecurity plan protecting the  
bovine from contamination with M.  bovis, and the compartment has been 
approved by the Authority in accordance with Chapters 4.3 and 4.4 of the OIE 
Terrestrial Code. 
 
(4) A bovine producer or a group of bovine producers may apply in writing to the 
Authority for a certification that a herd of bovine is free from bovine tuberculosis. 
 
(5) A bovine producer or a group of bovine producers applying  under subregulation (4)  
shall satisfy the Authority 
 
(a) that the entire country, zone or compartment is free from bovine 
tuberculosis and is certified free by the Authority; or 
 
(b)  that the cattle and water buffalo in the herd 
 
(i) have shown no signs of bovine tuberculosis or lesions at ante-
mortem or post-mortem inspection for at least one (1) year; 
 
(ii) were over six (6) weeks of age at the time of the first test and 
have shown a negative result to at least two (2) tuberculin 
tests carried out at a minimal interval of 6 months 
 
Provided that in the case of regaining a designation of free 
status after an outbreak, the first test should be performed at 
least six (6) months following the slaughter of the last affected 
animal; 
 
(iii) to maintain the free status, met one of the following 
conditions 
(aa) showed a negative result to an annual 
tuberculin test to ensure the continuing 
absence of bovine tuberculosis; or Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
11 
  
(bb) showed a negative result to a tuberculin test 
every two (2) years to ensure the 
continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis 
if the annual percentage of herds confirmed 
as infected with tuberculosis is not more 
than one percent (1%) of all herds in the 
country or zone during the last two (2) 
years; or 
 
(cc)  showed a negative result to a tuberculin test 
every three (3) years to ensure the 
continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis 
if the annual percentage of herds confirmed 
as infected with tuberculosis is not more 
than zero point one percent (0.1%) of all 
herds in the country or zone during the last 
four (4) years; or 
 
(dd)  showed a negative result to a tuberculin test 
every four (4) years to ensure the 
continuing absence of bovine tuberculosis 
if the annual percentage of herds confirmed 
as infected with tuberculosis is not more 
than zero point one percent (0.1%) of all 
herds in the country or zone during the last 
six (6) years; 
 
(c) that the bovine introduced into the herd come from a herd free from bovine 
tuberculosis. This condition may be waived for animals which have been 
isolated for at least 90 days and which, prior to entry into the herd, were 
subjected to at least two tuberculin tests carried out at a 6-month interval 
with negative results with the second tuberculin test performed during the 
30 days prior to entry into the herd ; 
 
(d) that the females should not be tested if more than seven months pregnant or 
less than 45 days post partum. This should be recorded on thetuberculosis 
field form; 
 
(e) that the free recognition of the country, zone or herd shall be published in 
the Gazette.  
 
(6) Where the Authority is satisfied that the conditions in subregulation (5) are 
met, it shall issue a free herd certificate which shall be valid for a period of one year from 
the date of issue. 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
12 
  
7. (1) The Authority shall temporarily suspend a free herd certificate when the Authority 
detects that animals tested positive to the tuberculin test. 
 
(2) The Authority may restore the validity of a free herdcertificate when the 
epidemiological investigation is concluded and it is determined that the herd is not 
infected. 
 
(3) The Authority shall cancel a free herd certificate by notice in writing to the holder 
of the certificate  in any of the following cases  
 
(a) when tuberculosis infected animals originating from a free herd are 
detected by the Authority at a slaughter plant and are confirmed by 
laboratory tests; 
 
(b) when animals introduced into the herd do not originate from free herds; 
  
(c) when there is  epidemiological evidence that the herd is infected; 
  
(d) when there is  failure to meet the specifications under these Regulations. 
 
 
    (4) A bovine producer or group of bovine producers may apply to the Authority for a 
re-certification of a free herd certificate within thirty days of expiration. 
 
 (5) Every bovine producer or group of bovine producers shall meet the following 
criteria when applying under subregulation (4) for the revalidation of a free herd 
certificate  
 
(a) that all animals that entered the herd in the last twelve (12) months 
originated from a free herd; 
 
(b) that a  caudal fold tuberculin test conducted by the Authority or by an 
accredited veterinarian yielded  negative results in all animals from six 
(6) months of age, not more than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration 
of the certification. Where positive results are obtained to the caudal fold 
test the comparative cervical test must be conducted according to the 
Regulation 11 of these Regulations; 
   
(c) the revalidation certificate must have a validity period of 12 months; 
 
(d) the owner of the herd  must show  the corresponding records; 
 
 
 Cancellation 
and 
revalidation 
of free herd 
certification. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
13 
 (3) The Authority shall issue  a certificate of officially free herd with a validity period 
of twelve months when the following conditions are met 
 
(a) that the tuberculin test has been  conducted by the Authority’s 
veterinarians and shall be valid for one year. re-certification tests 
shall also be conducted by BAHA veterinarians; 
   
(b) the owner must have free herd certification for two years and not 
have any history of tuberculosis infection; the owner of herds that 
were infected and released from quarantine must have maintained 
free herd certification for the last five consecutive years; 
   
(c) adjacent herds must have tested negative within the 12 months 
prior to certification. These adjacent herds must be tested by 
official veterinarians or accredited veterinarians under official 
supervision. 
   
(4) The certification of officially free herd shall be valid for one year.  
 
(5) An epidemiological investigation of the free herd shall be conducted by the 
Authority or an accredited veterinarian.  “Appendix E”.  
 
 
 
8. (1)  The Authority, through the Animal Health Department, on an annual basis shall  
evaluate the Programme operation in the regions and districts through an annual report 
prepared by the Programme Coordinator and validated by the Director of Animal Health.  
 
(2) The Authority may conduct visits to verify compliance with the requirements for 
each health status and shall issue a statement on the change of status according to the 
findings of the visits.  
 
 
9. (1) For the purpose  of the Programme, all animals must be fully identified in 
accordance with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (Animal Identification) 
Regulations, 2011.   
 
(2) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), for the purpose of the Programme the 
following specifications apply 
 
(a) an animal shall bear a permanent “T” mark on the left masseter muscle when 
the animal tests positive to the tuberculin test;  
 
(b) a bovine animal shall bear a yellow flagged and button ear tags with black laser 
impriniting on its  left and right ear  respectively, and that shall be the official 
identification of the bovine  for the tuberculosis Programme;  Programme 
evaluation. 
Identification. 
S.I.    of 2011. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
14 
  
(c) the individual number that corresponds to each animal must be registered in the 
official documents of diagnostic tests;  
 
(d) an animal identified under the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (Animal 
Identification) Regulations, 2011  shall be exempt from  any other 
identification mark.  
 
 
10. (1) For the purpose of the Programme and these Regulations, the diagnosis of 
tuberculosis shall be conducted through tuberculinization. 
 
(2) The following tuberculin tests authorized by the Authority shall be administered 
by an official or accredited veterinarian on cattle six (6) weeks of age and older, as 
necessary  
 
(a)  caudal fold test, 
(b)  comparative cervical test, 
(c)  simple cervical test. 
 
 
(3) The tuberculin registered and authorized by the Authority for the Programme are 
 
(a)  Bovine PPD - prepared with Mycobacterium bovis strain AN5, 
containing 3,250 IU per 0.1 ml dose, and to be used for the caudal, 
comparative cervical and simple cervical tests; 
 
(b)  Avian PPD - prepared with Mycobacterium avium strain D4, containing 
5,000 IU per 0.1 ml dose and to be used in the comparative cervical test. 
The avian PPD tuberculin should contain Ponceau red dye to distinguish 
it from the bovine PPD that has no dye; 
  
(c)  the tuberculin must be transported maintaining the cold chain at a 
temperature between 4°C - 8°C and must be protected from direct 
sunlight during use in the field; the lot number and the expiry date of the 
product need to be verified; and once the vial is opened, the remaining 
contents must be discarded if not used on the same day.  
 
(4) The Authority shall ensure that in conducting the tuberculin test the equipment 
conforms to the following specifications  
 
(a)  graduated disposable 1ml sterile syringes, with 0.1 ml graduations;  
 
(b)  hypodermic, disposable, sterile needles (24-29 gauge x  0.5 to 1.5 cm in 
length).  Asterile needle should be used per animal;  
 Diagnosis and 
tuberculinization. S.I.    of 2011. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
15 
 (c) a metallic or plastic calibrated caliper (in mm) shall be used for the 
comparative cervical test. 
 
(5) The Authority shall ensure that for the administration of any type of test, other 
management activities including but not limited to branding, castration, deworming, 
vaccination, treatments shall not be performed, 48 hours before and 72 ±6 hours after the 
administration of tuberculin so that the results are not affected.  
 
 
11. (1) The caudal fold test shall be administered by an official or accredited veterinarian  
when the tuberculosis status of the herd or lot of animals is unknown or as a substitute for 
the simple cervical test and the results of the test shall be recorded  and shared with the 
interested party.  
 
(2) The management techniques for the administration of tuberculin in the caudal fold 
test shall consist of 
 
(a) restraint of the animal, 
 
(b)  cleaning of site where the biologic will be applied, 
 
(c)  intradermal insertion of the needle administering 0.1 ml of tuberculin (a 
small bleb shall appear at the site of injection), 
 
(d)  in the case that no bleb appears, a repeated injection. 
 
(3) The caudal fold test shall be interpreted by the official or accredited veterinarian 
as follows  
 
(a) the same veterinarian that applied the tuberculin must read the results, 
through observation and palpation of the site of injection, 72 hours (± 6 
hours) after the injection is administered; 
 
(b) the veterinarian shall also ensure that he is reading the same animals tested 
and recorded on the field form.   
 
(4) The reactions to the caudal fold test are classified as follows 
 
(a) negative - when no change is observed or palpated at the injection site;  
 
(b) positive - when any thickening, redness, warmth, pain or necrosis is visible 
or palpable or any change however minimal, is noted at the site of injection. 
 
12. (1) The comparative cervical test is the test authorized to confirm or rule out animals 
positive to the caudal fold test.   
 Caudal fold test. 
Comparative 
cervical test. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
16 
 (2) The comparative cervical test  
 
(a) may  be used once within ten (10) days or sixty (60) days after the caudal 
test injection;  
 
(b) must be applied by an official or accredited veterinarian; 
 
(c) shall not be used in herds in which the presence of tuberculosis has been 
confirmed through isolation of M. bovis from samples obtained from 
animals slaughtered;  
 
(d) shall only be conducted where  the veterinarian is in possession of 
documentation of the previous test(s).  
 
(3) For the application of tuberculin for the comparative cervical test, the following 
practices shall apply 
 
(a)   two quadrangular areas of at least 5 cm per side of the animal shall 
be shaved; 
 
(b)  the tuberculin shall be injected on the medial third part of the neck;  
 
(c) the dorsal site shall be 10 cm beneath the crest;  
 
(d)  the ventral site shall be approximately 10 cm below the dorsal site; 
 
(e)  the test shall be administered using the intradermal injection of 0.1 ml 
of avian PPD in the shaved dorsal site and 0.1 ml of bovine PPD on 
the ventral site;  
(f) prior to injection, a fold of skin shall be lifted at the centre of the shaved 
site and the thickness of this fold shall be measured using the calipers;  
 
(g)  the readings obtained shall be recorded on the comparative cervical 
test forms; 
 
(h) the test shall be read 72 hours (± 6 hours), measuring the thickness with 
the calipers at the site of injection and the measurements shall be 
written down on the field form for the comparative cervical test 
according to ‘Appendix A” subtracting the value of the first reading 
from the value of the second reading and rounding the final result as 
follows 
 
(i) from 6.2 it decreases  to 6.0,  
(ii) from 6.3 it increases to 6.5;  
(iii) from 6.7 it decreases to 6.5 and  
(iv) from 6.8 it increases to 7,  Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
17 
  
(i)  when  the  measurements are finalized the results obtained for avian 
PD as well as bovine PPD shall be  graphed and the intersection point 
shall give the result of the test; 
 
(j) using the official graph, the results shall be interpreted according to 
“Appendix A”; 
 
(k) where the reaction of an animal is classified according to the graph as 
suspect in two consecutive tests, it shall be classified as positive to 
the test.  
 
13. (1) The simple cervical test shall be used to test infected, exposed animals or as a 
screening test. 
 
(2)  For the application of tuberculin for the simple cervical test, the following 
practices shall apply 
 
 (a) a quadrangular area should be shaved at least 5 cm per side; 
 
(b)  the tuberculin shall be injected on the medial third part of the neck 
approximately 10 cm below the crest; 
 
(c) the  test is administered through the intradermal injection of 0.1 ml bovine 
PPD; 
 
(d) the same veterinarian that applies the injection shall conduct the reading; 
 
(e) the reading is done by observation and palpation of the site of injection, 72 
hours (± 6 hours) after injection.  
 
(3) The reactions to the simple cervical test are classified as 
 
(a) negative - when no change is observed or palpable on the skin at the site of 
injection;.  
 
(b) positive - when any thickening, redness, warmth, pain or necrosis or any 
change, however minimal, is visible or palpable at the site of injection.  
 
(4) The simple cervical test may be substituted by a caudal fold test after  
 
(a) obtaining a negative simple cervical test in all the animals tested in the herd, 
or   
(b) obtaining no positive laboratory result in animals that test positive,  
 Simple cervical test. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
18 
 but the animals that test positive to this caudal fold test shall not be subjected to 
the comparative cervical test and any reaction shall be considered positive.  
 
 
14. (1) The sampling methods for bacteriology, histopathology and molecular analysis 
shall be carried out as follows 
 
(a) specimens for tuberculosis lesions  (caseous or calcified)  may be taken 
from any organ showing these typical lesions;  
 
(b) lymph node samples shall be taken preferably from the head region 
(retropharyngeal, mandibular and parotid), cervical, mediastinum and 
tracheobronchial nodes; 
 
(c) other organs subject to sampling are lungs, spleen, liver, kidney, bone 
marrow, ovaries, uterus, testicles and mammary glands;  
 
(d) If the animal is positive for the tuberculin test but on post mortem does not 
show granulomatous lesions, suggestive of infection, any of the following 
may be sent to the laboratory 
 
(i) lymph nodes from the headregion(retropharyngeal, mandibular or 
parotid), 
 
(ii) tracheobronchial lymph nodes, and  
 
(iii) mediastinum lymph nodes. 
 
(2) The samples for histopathology must be fixed in 10% formalin and the size of 
tissues should be approximately 2cmx2cm  in a ratio of one part tissue to nine parts of 
formalin. 
 
(3) All samples taken under this Regulation shall  be submitted to the laboratory and 
be accompanied with a completed prescribed requisition form. 
 
(4) In the laboratory, samples shall be tested using Bacteriology, Histopathology or 
Molecular Diagnostic Assays or any combination of tests, as applicable. 
 
 
15. (1) In conducting  histopathologic diagnosis by the Authority 
 
(a) staining shall be performed with Haematoxylin-Eosin stain to identify any 
morphologic changes as well as granulomatous lesions; 
 
(b) Ziehl Nielsen staining shall be performed to identify the presence of acid 
fast bacilli; Bacteriology, 
histopathology 
and molecular 
biology analysis. 
Diagnosis. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
19 
 (c) Carbol Fuchsin stain may be utilized to stain suspicious smears.  
 
(2) The histopathology results shall be interpreted by the Authority as follows 
 
(a) suggestive of tuberculosis - when granulomatous lesions of tuberculosis are 
observed; this is characterized by necrotic lesions or calcified by 
mineralization, multinucleated epithelial cells and ganglial cells 
(Longhans and Macrophages); 
 
(b) compatible with tuberculosis - when acid fast bacilli are present intra or 
extra cellularly, in addition to the granulomatous lesions characteristic to 
tuberculosis; 
 
(c) negative - when no characteristic lesions of tuberculosis are observed, no 
acid fast bacilli are seen, when a differential diagnosis confirms another 
disease or when no lesions are observed indicative of any disease. 
Differential diagnosis should be indicated. 
 
(3) (a) Bacteriologic diagnosis may be conducted  by the Authority as follows 
 
(i) direct exam - Ziehl Nielsen or Carbol Fuchsin stains shall be  used to 
identify the presence of acid fast organisms; if specimen is positive, 
the bacilli appear red in colour;  
 
(ii)  indirect exam - culture, isolation and identification of Mycoplasma 
bovis spp. is performed by inoculation of suspicious samples to 
cellular cultures of Middlebrock 7H10, Middlebroke 7H11, Stonebrink 
with sodium pyruvate, and Lowenstein Jensen; typing must be 
performed using biochemical methods. 
 
(b)an official or accredited veterinarian conducting a bacteriologic diagnosis shall  
 
(i) collect specimens of not more than 2cm x 2cm for bacteriologic studies 
(ii) place the specimensin a saturated borate solution in a 1:1 ratio and 
(iii) send the specimens to the  within 7 days of collection.  
 
(4) The laboratory technician shall immediately process specimens submitted under 
subregulation (3) above. (See Appendix B). 
   
 (5) The techniques applicable in conducting molecular biology diagnosis shall  be 
performed by the Authority only on post mortem samples as follows 
 
(a) PCR  
 
(i)  shall be  performed within 72 hours of collection, on fresh tissue 
samples that show typical tuberculosis lesions;ee Appendix B) Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
20 
  
(ii) shall be used as a preliminary diagnostic tool prior to bacterial isolation 
in accordance with  Appendix B; 
 
(b) Oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping) 
 
(i) may be utilized on fresh tissue compatible or suggestive to tuberculosis 
or with microbial isolates; or 
 
(ii)  may be used as an alternative diagnostic tool for the typing of 
tuberculosis. (See Appendix B) 
 
16.  (1) The Authority may utilize the Gamma Interferon Assay as a complementary test 
and for the purposes of these Regulations is considered as the “in vitro comparative 
assay” since it quickly distinguishes positive animals due to the production of IFN 
specific to M.bovis and M.avium in blood plasma. 
 
(2) The  Gamma Interferon Assay shall be used to detect the presence of gamma 
antibodies in plasma present in average concentration by reading the optical density of 
the IFN by an immuno-enzymatic method when cattle are sensitized by the tuberculin 
test and in the laboratory when blood is sensitized with avian and bovine PPD. 
 
(3) The results of Gamma Interferon Assay test are reported as either positive or 
negative to M.bovis or M.avium depending on the established cutoff value where any 
value equal or greater than 0.500 isconsidered positive.  
 
 
 
17. (1) Every owner of a farm with a dairy production unit infected with bovine 
tuberculosis shall ensure that the dairy production unit is managed by an accredited 
veterinarian for the purpose  of reducing the prevalence of tuberculosis in dairy units 
through the replacement of animals from a calf rearing unit until the disease is eradicated.  
 
(2) The  accredited veterinarian  of a dairy production unit under subregulation (1) is 
responsible for the management of the herd, including the activities within the calf 
rearing unit. 
 
(3) For the purposes of this Regulation, the animals in the herd shall be subjected to 
an initial test to determine prevalence and to identify infected animals, provided that the 
test shall not be conducted in a period greater than 6 months.  
 
(4) When  it is known which are the infected animals, the accredited veterinarian shall 
identify the animalwith a red ear tag on the left ear or a permanent brand with the letter 
“T” on the left masseter muscle in accordance  with  the provisions of these Regulations .  
 Gamma 
Interferon 
Assay. 
Management of 
unit infected with 
bovine 
tuberculosis. 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
21 
 (5) The elimination of positive animals shall be carried out in a programmed manner, 
through an agreement with the owner, taking into consideration age, level of production 
and the genetic quality of the animals and in accordance with Regulation 19.  
 
(6)  The Authority shall send the animals selected for slaughter to a BAHA inspected 
slaughterhouse to provide follow-up to the monitoring process.  
 
(7)  The accredited veterinarian shall segregate, by lot within the same installations, 
all positive animals that remain in the herd and the negative animals shall be tested every 
year and must  be segregated by lots.  
 
(8) Every owner of a farm having a dairy production which has been infected with 
bovine tuberculosis shall not move animals to other farms except where movement is to a 
controlled calf rearing unit operated by the same owner with the same sanitary status 
which has beenauthorized by the Authority, in which case the movement must be in 
compliance with a movement permit. 
 
(9) Every owner of a farm which has been infected with bovine tuberculosis in its 
dairy unity shall   
 
(a) have a calendar of cleaning and disinfection for all the installations, using 
approved disnfectants.  
 
(b) apply sanitary measures for the control of rodents and harmful wildlife.  
 
 (10) In managing a calf rearing unit in herds affected by tuberculosis in specialized 
dairy production units, an accredited veterninarian shall not test a Female animal if that 
animal is more than seven months pregnant or less than 45 days post partum.  
 
(11) Where a calf  tests negative to the tuberculin test, an accredited veterinarian shall   
send the calf   to a controlled rearing unit.  
 
(12) The owner of a farm shall separate  calfves from the dam immediately after 
parturition, and shall house the calves in individual pens.  The farmer shall feed the 
calves shall be fed  with colostrum from cows negative to the tuberculin test or with 
colostrum substitute or pasteurized colostrum. 
 
(13) The Authority shall test two  to three month old female calves with tuberculin 
and the calves  that are negative may be moved to a communal pen within the same 
installation, but isolated from the rest of the animals.  
 
(14) The Authority shall test two  to three month old female calves with tuberculin 
and the calves  that are positive may be moved to a communal corral for segregation and 
elimination within the same installation, but the communal corral must be isolated from 
the rest of the animals. 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
22 
 (15) The Authority shall again test the female calves sixty (60) days later and may  
move the female calves to a controlled calf rearing unit where the animals are to be 
placed in the “receiving corral” (occupied only by the lot of female calves that are 
entering with the same health status.   
 
(16) The female calves up to 6 month of age test positive to any of the tests must  be 
identified with a permanent brand with the letter “T” on the left masseter muscle or with 
the red ear tag on the left ear and these female calves may only be moved to slaughter at 
an Authority-inspected slaughterhouse with the corresponding health certificate in a 
period not more than 10 days from the day of reading of the test and to a 
slaughterhousewith  the Authority’s inspection. In the case of animals older than 6 
months of age these shall be slaughtered or may be returned to the segregation unit of the 
herd of origin.  
 
(17) In the establishments that have a controlled calf rearing unit, the accredited 
veterinarian shall submit a monthly report of activities conducted and work plan.   
 
(18) The owner of a farm must implement a calendar of cleaning and disinfection in 
all the installations of the farm and the controlled calf rearing unit. The hygiene must be 
approved by an accredited veterinarian with special emphasis between each lot of heifer 
calves that enter the receiving pen. 
 
 
18. (1) A person keeping a controlled rearing calf unit shall 
 
(a)  ensure that the animals that enter the units exclusively originate from 
production units that implement the sanitary measures for the control of 
bovine tuberculosis in their dairy herds;  
 
(b)  ensure that the units as well as the herds are established within the same 
district and in the same phase of the Programme; 
  
(c)  in the case of location of calf rearing units in regions or districts at a 
higher or lesser phase of the programme or at a different district, the units 
must have the authorization of  Authority following a favourable risk 
analysis;  
 
(d) ensure that the calves are isolated without any possibility of contact with 
any bovine, caprine, ovine, avian and swine production unit that  and the 
production of other species in the area of the controlled calf rearing unit is 
not allowed; 
 
(e) install  a double perimeter fence with at least 6 m between them the calf 
rearing unit and the unit of other production species;  
 
(f) have  an accredited veterinarian at each calf rearing unit kept; Management of 
controlled calf 
rearing unit. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
23 
  
(g) have a loading chute, corrals, feed storeroom, water, chutes for the 
tuberculin testing, and an exclusive corral for the reception of heifer calves 
or heifers; 
(h) ensure that a rearing calf unit kept in pursuance of these Regulations does  
not exceed the capacity of the installation;  
 
(i)  implement a calendar of cleaning and disinfection of installations and 
equipment in the reception pens upon entry and exit of each lot;  
 
(j) identify all animals in a  controlled calf rearing unit with an official ear tag; 
  
(k) conduct a tuberculin test on animals which  have attained sexual maturity 
and can be used as replacements, and where the test is negative, may 
proceed to move it  to its herd; 
 
(j)  ensure that animals within a calf rearing unit that test positive to the 
tuberculin test are identified with a red ear tag on the left ear or with a 
permanent brand with the letter “T” on the left masseter muscle and that 
such animal be sent to slaughter in accordance with these Regulations; 
(k)  ensure that access by people and vehicles to a calf rearing unit  be 
restricted and that the entry of personnel and vehicles is  subjected to 
cleaning and disinfection before entering the controlled calf rearing unit.  
 
 
(2) A person who desires to move a herd for re-entry into the herd of origin shall 
possess  the corresponding sanitary certificate to proceed with the movement and shall 
ensure that the vehicle is sealed.  
 
(3) The accredited veterinarian keeps the control of the movements referred to under 
subregulation (2).  
 
(4) A person who is moving animals for  re-entry into the herd of origin shall house 
the animals in such a manner that there is no contact with the segregated animals of the 
infected herd with the  aim of developing a new herd that is negative. 
 
(5) A person who keeps a calf rearing unit shall ensure that the programming in the 
milking room is such that animals of different sanitary status do not coincide.  
 
 
19. (1) Every owner of exposed animal in an infected herd shall keep the infected herd  at 
the farm where it is kept under quarantine and be tested on day sixty (60) and again on 
day ninety (90) and a third test shall be conducted one hundred and eighty (180) days 
after the first  test. 
  Slaughter. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
24 
 (2) Every owner of suspect or positive animals shall have the animals slaughtered at 
an Authority-designated slaughterhouse immediately or within thirty (10) calendar days 
of the reading of the tuberculin test. 
 
(3) The circumstances leading to the slaughter of an animal under this Regulation 
shall be assessed for the purposes of compensation payable to the owner of the animal. 
 
(4) A slaughter to be conducted under subregulation (2) shall require inspection by 
the  Authority.    
 
(5) Notwithstanding subregulation (2), the Authority may authorize the slaughter of 
exposed or positive animals in another district provided that proper notice is given to the 
District Veterinarian in the district where the animal will be slaughtered. 
 
(6) The owner of the herd of origin of the exposed or positive animals should 
ascertain the slaughter of the anmals and collate the verification certificate from the 
veterinarian in charge at the slaughter plant. The owner must keep this certificate for one 
year after slaughter. 
 
(7) When the movement of an animal or herd is for slaughter, the District 
Veterinarian of the district of origin must submit a monthly reports of movement for 
slaughter to the District Veterinarian where the slaughterhouse is located.  
 
(8) The District Veterinarian where the slaughterhouse is located must submit 
monthly reports on inspection results to the Authority.  
 
20. A person who desires to move an  animal to another district shall apply to the 
Authority for a  Movement Permit and shall comply with the Belize Agricultural Health 
Authority (Animal Identification) Regulations, 2011.  
21. (1) A person desiring to import an animal into the country shall have among the 
importation documentation an official certificate that attests to the origin of the animal 
from a country or zone with Bovine Tuberculosis status recognition by the Authority.  
 
(2) Every importer of an animals shall  have the  relevant official animal 
identification informationfrom the exporting country.  
 
(3) In accordance with subregulation (3) above, the Animal Health Department, may 
establish with international scientific support, the sanitary requirements for 
regionalization or compartmentalization in country or zones in which a prior quantitative 
or qualitative risk analysis showed an insignificant risk, provided that it does not  
contravene the provisions ofese Reguations.    
 
(4) Where it is known that the animals originating from a country or zone officially 
recognized by Belize come from a herd infected with tuberculosis, the animals in transit 
to Belize or that are under retention at an entry point into the country as well as the 
animals  that are already in the country, shall be quarantined in specific authorized sites Movement. 
 
 
S.I.     of 
2011. Importation. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
25 
 and the corresponding epidemiological investigation shall be conducted by the Authority. 
When the Authority determines that the importation should be denied the animals shall 
return to the country of origin or be slaughtered at the expense of the owner or importer.   
 
(6) The procedures to evaluate the regionalization of exporting country or zones by 
the Authority are 
 
(a) expressed request from the exporting country or from the country’s 
official veterinary services; 
 
(b) respond to “Appendix F” and provide the additional information 
requested, as the case may be, with documentary evidence;   
 
(c) epidemiological analysis conducted by the Authroity of the 
information submitted by the exporting country, butthe Authority may 
request additional information or information for technical support;  
 
(d) personnel from the Animal Health Department shall conduct a 
technical visit to evaluate and verify the information submitted;  
 
(e) once the corresponding risk analysis has been conducted, a decision 
shall be made and where it is favorable, the import requirements shall 
be established in accordance with these Regulations and where the 
recognition is of free status, the administrative procedures shall be 
carried out to have the information published in the Gazette. 
 
(f) where there is a change in sanitary status or non-compliance with these 
Regulations, the Authority shall cancel the recognition of free status or 
the equivalency granted; 
 
(g) the Animal Heath Department may re-test live animals to verify the 
official test results of the exporting country through the diagnostic 
tests established in these Regulations.  
 
 
  
22. (1) As tuberculosis is a notifiable animal disease, all cases of bovine tuberculosis 
must be reported by livestock producers, veterinarians, investigators, slaughter plant 
inspectors, laboratory personnel and all those who are involved with the production and 
commercialization of cattle.   
 
(2) The Authority shall implement epidemiological surveillance through the analysis 
of information generated by Programme activities. 
 
(3) In the Programme, epidemiological surveillance of tuberculosis shall be carried 
out as follows  Epidemiological
surveillance. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
26 
  
(a)  by official and accredited veterinarians who shall submit all the 
reports of results obtained in the tuberculin testing of cattle. Such 
information must be submitted monthly or within 24 hours of a 
positive finding to the district veterinarians and the Director of 
Animal Health; 
   
(b) by at least one veterinarian responsible for the inspection of cattle at 
slaughter plants to detect lesions suggestive of tuberculosis; 
 
(c)  the veterinarians responsible for the inspection of cattle at slaughter 
plants shall be responsible for the collection and submission of 
samples of granulomas of animals during routine slaughter as well as 
of animals identified as positive or suspect. The veterinarians shall 
maintain records of the suspect cases and  shall inform the district 
veterinarian in accordance with these Regulations for reporting; 
 
(d) the laboratory technicians in official and accredited laboratories shall 
conduct diagnostic assays on the samples from slaughterhouses and 
they shall inform the Director of Animal Health within twenty-four 
hours of test results; 
 
(e) an investigation that implicates the use of M. bovis must be previously 
evaluated and authorized by the Authority. 
 
(4) A complete epidemiological investigation, following Programme guidelines, shall 
be conducted by the accredited veterinarian on all animals diagnosed with bovine 
tuberculosis. 
 
 23. (1) When quarantine is to be implemented, the owner of the herd or lot of animals 
shall be duly informed in writing by the Authority and the reason for the qurantine, , legal 
base and the procedure for its removal shall be given by the Authority. 
 
(2) Quarantine may be precautionary or definitive and precautionary quarantine must 
change to definitive quarantine in the cases mentioned in sub-regulation (4) (a) and (b). 
 
(3) Precautionary quarantine shall be applied by the Authority in any of the following 
cases 
 
(a)  in the herd or lot of animals where the official or accredited veterinarian 
detects animals positive to the caudal fold tuberculin test and the 
comparative cervical test was not conducted within 10 days and a release 
from quarantine shall be upon a negative result to the comparative cervical 
test of the animals that tested positive to the caudal fold test; 
  Quarantine 
measure. Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
27 
 (b)  in the herd or lot of animals where the official or accredited veterinarian 
detects animals positive or suspect to the comparative cervical test and in 
the case of positive or suspect anmals sent to slaughter, quarantine shall be 
lifted once these animals are slaughtered and no suggestive lesions are 
found, a negative laboratory result and all the animals in the herd or lot test 
negative to the caudal fold test; 
 
(c)  in the herd or lot of origin of the animals which are found by the accredited 
veterinarian with lesions at routine slaughter and the histopathology result is 
suggestive of or compatible with tuberculosis. The Authority shall lift 
quarantine when all the animals in the herd or lot test negative to the caudal 
fold test; 
 
(d)  in the herd or lot of animals that is the origin of the animals of an infected 
herd or lot. The Authority shall lift quarantine when all the animals in the 
herd or lot test negative to the caudal fold test; 
 
(e)  in the herd or lot of animals determined to have had contact with an infected 
herd or lot. The Authority shall lift quarantine when all the animals in the 
herd or lot test negative to the caudal fold test; 
 
(f)  in the herd or lot of animals adjacent to an infected herd or lot of animals.  
The Authority shall lift quarantine when all the animals in the herd or lot 
test negative to the caudal fold test; 
 
(g)  in the herd where the owner does not have the caudal fold test performed in 
his entire herd within one hundred and twenty (120) days of test notification. 
The Authority shall lift quarantine when all the animals in the herd or lot 
test negative to the caudal fold test. 
 
(4) The Authority shall implement definitive quarantine in any of the following cases 
 
(a) in the herd or lot of animals where infection with M. bovis is confirmed by 
culture and typing; 
 
(b) when the Authority determines that the presence of M. bovis is indicated 
through epidemiological studies which include field tests, post mortem 
lesions, histopathology results compatible or suggestive of infection or by 
PCR or Gamma interferon; 
 
(5) The owner of a farm with exposed animals in herds under definitive quarantine 
must keep the exposed animals in the herd until depopulation or completion of tests for 
the lifting of quarantine. 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
28 
 (6) The owner of a farm of Exposed animals may move the animals to quarantined 
fattening units within the same region or district, complying with a current negative test, 
officially identified and with authorization from the Authority.    
 
(7) To lift a definitive quarantine, four consecutive tuberculin tests with negatve 
results need to be conducted on all the animals in the herd six weeks of age and older and 
there must be compliance with all other quarantine measures stipulated in these 
Regulations.  The second test may be conducted at least 60 days after the first test, the 
third test after at least 180 days after the second test is conducted and the fourth test at 
least 180 days after the third test.  
 
(8) The lifting of quarantine shall be conducted through a written letter from the 
Authority when the production unit has complied with all the sanitary measures stipulated 
in these Regulations.   
 
(9) It is mandatory to conduct another tuberculin test for epidemiological surveillance 
purposes 12 months after the last test to lift quarantine. A person intending to move a 
herd shall notify the Authority of the movement of animals out of the herd and the 
Authority shall record movement during this period, specifying their destination. 
 
(10) In the case of dairy cattle registered in the Programme for the management of a 
dairy production unit affected by bovine tuberculosis, an accredited veterinarian may 
place the herd under containment according to the results obtained in the tuberculin tests. 
 
 
24. (1) When a reactor animal is detected and eliminated in an intensive system, the 
owner of the slaughterhouse shall disinfect the slaughterhouse, including the areas where 
the animal was housed, through a vigorous wash with soap and water followed by 
mechanical cleaning and the application of approved disinfectants. 
 
(2)  The owners or operators of slaughterhouses shall register, for approval by the 
Authority all disinfectants used in the Programme. 
 
 (3) For the purposes of these Regulations, approved disinfectants include all 
phenols. 
 
 
25. The Authority may make agreements with other parties for the creation of 
contingency funds to quickly implement the necessary sanitary measures to decrease the 
prevalence or eradicate bovine tuberculosis in a specified region. 
 
 
26. The Authority shall conduct periodic evaluations of the Programme according to the 
procedures developed for this purpose. 
 
 Disinfection. 
Contingency 
funds. 
Fees. Evaluation of 
compliance. 
 Belize Agricultural Health Authority 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
 
29 
 27.  (1) The Authority may charge fees for testing and services related to testing for 
tuberculosis in bovine. 
 
(2) Fees imposed by the Authority under subregulation (1) shall be borne by the 
producer. 
 
(3) The amount of fees to be charged under this Regulation shall be published by 
Notice in the Gazette. 
 
 
28. A person who contravenes these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on 
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for 
a period not exceeding three years or to both fine and imprisonment. 
 
 
 29. These Regulations shall come into effect on the ______ day of _______________, 
2011.   
 
MADE by the Minister responsible for Agriculture, after consultation with the Belize 
Agricultural Health Authority, this      day of            , 2011. 
 
 
 
________________________ 
(RENE MONTERO) 
Minister responsible for Agriculture Offence 
and 
penalty. 
Commencement.