Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Chapter 40-13 - ANIMAL HEALTH DIVISION › Subject 40-13-4 - INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES › Rule 40-13-4-.08 - Swine Brucellosis Eradication Requirements

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) The State of Georgia is designated a
				Validated Brucellosis-Free State by the United States Department of
				Agriculture.
(2) The Georgia
				Department of Agriculture adopts the Swine Brucellosis Control/Eradication
				State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules in effect by the United States
				Department of Agriculture. Said Uniform Methods and Rules are on file in the
				State Veterinarian's office and are available upon request. The State
				Veterinarian reserves the option of applying rules that may exceed the minimum
				set forth in the Uniform Methods and Rules.
(3) Movement of swine into Georgia shall be
				in accordance with the recommendation of the USDA Swine Brucellosis
				Control/Eradication State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules and the
				rules established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
(4) Official Tests: Only tests which have
				been conducted in the State/Federal Brucellosis Laboratory or a laboratory
				approved by the State Veterinarian will be considered official tests. All blood
				samples and completed test records must be submitted to the appropriate
				laboratory within five (5) business days following collection. No person shall
				remove, deface, alter or otherwise change any official permanent mark, tattoo,
				tag or other official identification on any swine.
(5) Individual Herd Validation: Individual
				herds may be designated as Validated Brucellosis-Free by complying with the
				requirements of the State-Federal-Industry Uniform Methods and Rules.
(6) Depopulation: Swine herds affected with
				brucellosis are required to depopulate unless an exemption is given by the
				State Veterinarian.
(7) Affected
				Herds: All herds affected with brucellosis will be quarantined. Any person who
				owns or has custody or control of any swine affected with brucellosis or known
				reactor animals to an official brucellosis test must isolate such animals from
				all other livestock in Georgia. All herds and premises related by common
				ownership or management will be quarantined when reactors are disclosed in a
				herd. The affected herd quarantine will be released no sooner than thirty (30)
				days following depopulation. If an exemption from the depopulation requirement
				is granted, the affected herd quarantine will be released upon completion of
				four (4) consecutive and complete negative herd tests. The first three (3)
				tests will occur at thirty (30), ninety (90), and one hundred and eighty (180)
				days after the last reactor was removed from the premise. The fourth test will
				occur no sooner than three hundred and sixty-five (365) days after the last
				reactor left the premise. A complete herd test may be required six (6) to
				twelve (12) months following release of the quarantine if determined necessary
				by the State Veterinarian and the USDA. All swine in an affected herd must be
				identified by an official eartag. A Form VS 1-27 must accompany quarantined
				swine moved from affected herds. Herds quarantined because of an association
				with an affected herd by common ownership or management in which no reactors
				have been disclosed may qualify for a conditional quarantine release after one
				negative complete herd test with the approval of the State Veterinarian and the
				USDA.
(8) At-Risk Herds: Swine
				disclosed in an epidemiological investigation to be at-risk of brucellosis
				infection will be quarantined. The State Veterinarian and the USDA will develop
				a herd plan to eliminate the risk of brucellosis in these animals.
(9) Post-Quarantine Releasing Test: All swine
				released from quarantine and all swine on a premise previously quarantined for
				brucellosis may be retested as determined necessary by the State Veterinarian
				and the USDA.
(10) Owner's
				Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of the herd owner to provide the
				necessary facilities and labor to facilitate the testing of all eligible swine.
				If the owner of a quarantined herd fails to implement or comply with an
				approved herd plan, the State Veterinarian may require the herd to be
				depopulated.
(11) Cleaning and
				Disinfecting: Affected premises shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance
				with instruction of the State Veterinarian and the USDA.
Authority O.C.G.A.
				  Secs. 4-4-64,
				  4-4-67,
				  4-4-70,
				  4-6-54.