VS Bulletin 2018.02 

1

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and Plant

Health Inspection

Service

Veterinary Services

Washington, DC

20250

Animal Additions to Tuberculosis (TB)-Accredited Cervid Herds

1. Purpose and Background

The cervid TB program is one element of the Agency’s overall bovine TB 

eradication program. The Director of the Federal Register, in accordance with 5 

U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 552(a) and Code of Federal Regulations 1 CFR part 51, has 

approved the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules 

(January 22, 1999, edition) for incorporation by reference into the CFR. Herd 

owners, shippers, and others moving animals regulated under 9 CFR part 77

should follow the procedures specified in the Uniform Methods and Rules.

This bulletin aligns Uniform Methods and Rules requirements with 9 CFR part 77

requirements. This bulletin further clarifies the requirements to add animals to TB 

Accredited Cervid herds.

2. Document Status

Review date: 09/28/2019.

3. Reason for Reissuance 

Replaces VS Bulletin 2018.01.

4. Authority and References

A. Authorities (CFR and U.S.C.):

• 7 CFR 371.4

• 9 CFR part 77.20 - 77.41

B. References

Uniform Methods and Rules 1999

5. Audience

Veterinary Services employees, other Federal and State agencies, and members 

of the public.

6. Body of Bulletin

Animal Additions: Accredited herd additions must originate directly from one of 

the following and have no exposure to captive cervids from herds of lesser status 

than the addition’s herd of origin:
A. An accredited herd.

B. A qualified or monitored herd, if the added individual animals had negative 

results on an official TB test within 90 days prior to entry. Isolate additions 

from members of the accredited herd until the added animals have a negative 

result on an official TB test at least 90 days from the date of entry.

C. A herd not meeting the requirements of A or B above. Isolate the additions 

from members of the accredited herd until the additions have a negative 

result on an official TB test conducted at least 90 days from the date of entry.

These animals must have negative results on two official TB tests conducted 

at least 90 days apart. Conduct the second of these tests within 90 days of 

moving the animals to the accredited herd’s premises. 

Animals added under B and C shall not receive accredited herd status for sale or 

movement purposes until they have been in the herd at least 90 days, and have 

been retested and found negative for TB at least 90 days after entry. 

For animals added under A, each animal in an accredited herd, other than 

natural additions, must have documented evidence of a negative official TB test 

within the last 36 months to receive accredited herd status for sale or movement 

purposes. If no test of the moving animal occurred within 36 months of moving to 

the receiving accredited herd, the animal must have an official TB test conducted 

prior to entry in the receiving accredited herd.

This policy supersedes the requirements for additions found in the Uniform 

Methods and Rules January 1999 Part VI.A.3. 

7. Inquiries

Please direct any inquiries to: 

National Cervid Tuberculosis Disease Specialist 

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services 

Sheep, Goat, Cervid, and Equine Health Center – Cervid Health Program 

vs.sprs.cervid.health@aphis.usda.gov

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/tuberculosis/