Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 32 - LIVESTOCK › Chapter 32.3 - DISEASE CONTROL › Subchapter 32.3.2 - Importation of Animals and Semen Into Montana › Rule 32.3.216 - HORSES, MULES, AND ASSES

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) Horses, mules,
				and asses, and other equidae may enter the state of Montana provided they are
				transported or moved in conformity with ARM
				32.3.201
				through
				32.3.211.
				All animals must be tested negative for EIA within the previous 12 months as a
				condition for obtaining the permit required by ARM
				32.3.207.
(2) Unless otherwise specifically provided in
				this rule all horses, asses, and other equidae that are moved into the state of
				Montana shall be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary
				inspection or equine passport certificate from the state of origin stating that
				the equidae are free from evidence of any communicable disease and have
				completed EIA test and identification requirements as defined in ARM
				32.3.1401
				using procedures outlined in ARM
				32.3.1402.
(3) Entry of equidae into Montana shall not
				be allowed until the EIA test has been completed and reported negative. Equidae
				with tests pending are not acceptable. Equidae that test positive to EIA test
				shall not be permitted entry into Montana except by special written permission
				from the state veterinarian and must be branded and moved in conformity with
				the USDA EIA movement regulations.
(4) A nursing foal under six months of age
				accompanied by the EIA negative dam is exempt from the test
				requirements.
(5) Working equids
				used for seasonal ranching purposes may be exempt from the requirements of this
				rule if the animals have been included on a current seasonal grazing permit
				that has received prior approval from the Department of Livestock and the chief
				livestock sanitary official in a western state that reciprocates with Montana
				in honoring seasonal grazing permits.
(6) Equids being moved directly to a licensed
				equine-approved feedlot establishment may be exempted from EIA test
				requirements.
(7) The Department of
				Livestock may develop cooperative reciprocal agreements with neighboring states
				that exempt EIA cooperating states.
(8) Provided there is a written agreement
				between the Department of Livestock and the chief livestock sanitary official
				of the state of destination, Montana origin equids may be moved from Montana to
				other states or from other states to Montana for shows, rides, or other equine
				events and return on an equine passport certification under a state system of
				equine certification acceptable to the cooperating states.
(a) Equine passport certificates cannot be
				used when equids are moved for the purposes of sale or change of ownership of
				the equid, animal breeding activities, or movements that involve stays of
				longer than 90 days. Equids moved for these purposes must be accompanied by a
				certificate of veterinary inspection.
(b) Equine passport movement must involve
				short term travel to or from the state of Montana for participation in equine
				activities including but not limited to participation in equine events, shows,
				rodeos, roping, trail rides, and search and rescue activities.
(c) Equine passport certificates shall be
				valid for only one animal and shall contain the following information:
(i) the name and address of the owner;
(ii) the location at which the
				animal is stabled, housed, pastured or kept, if different from that of the
				owner;
(iii) an accurate
				description and identification of the animal as defined in ARM
				32.3.1401;
(iv) the date of
				veterinary inspection;
(v) the date
				and results of the EIA or other required tests or vaccinations; and
(vi) the signature of the inspecting
				veterinarian.
(d) No
				certificate or veterinary inspection or equine passport certificate shall be
				issued for equine to enter Montana unless it is complete in all respects with
				requirements of the state of Montana.
(e) Equine passport certificates must be
				properly completed with the required tests and certifications recorded on the
				certificate and a copy of the completed certificate must be submitted to and
				approved by the Department of Livestock.
(f) Equine passport certificates shall be
				valid for no longer than six months from the date the EIA sample is collected
				if an EIA test is required, or six months from the date of inspection if no EIA
				test is required.
(g) The
				recipients of equine passport certificates shall be required to submit a travel
				itinerary to the state veterinarian's office within ten working days following
				the date of expiration of the certificate. The travel itinerary shall include a
				listing of all travel that the equid made into and out of the state of Montana
				during the validity of the certificate.
(h) The Department of Livestock may cancel
				any equine passport certificate in the event of serious or emergency disease
				situations or for certificate holder's failure to comply with the rules that
				apply to such certificates. Cancellation of the certificate may be accomplished
				by written or verbal notice to the certificate holder. Verbal notice shall be
				confirmed by written notice. The canceled certificate will become invalid on
				the date and at the time of notification.