Texas Administrative Code › Title 4 - AGRICULTURE › Part 2 - TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION › Chapter 41 - FEVER TICKS › Section 41.1 - Definition of Terms

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12,
				2024
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter,
				  shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
				  otherwise.
(1) Adjacent premise--A
				premise that borders an exposed or infested premise, including premises
				separated by roads, double fences, or fordable streams. A premise that would
				normally be classified as adjacent may be exempted from adjacent premise
				requirements by a State or Federal epidemiologist if the premise is separated
				from the exposed or infested premise by double fencing, sufficient to prevent
				the spread of ticks, with one of the fences being game-proof.
(2) Animal--Any domestic, free-range, or wild
				animal capable of hosting or transporting ticks capable of carrying Babesia,
				including livestock; zebras, bison, and giraffes; and deer, elk, and other
				cervid species.
(3) Certificate--A
				document authorizing movement of livestock issued by an authorized
				representative of the commission after the livestock have been treated in a
				manner prescribed by the commission for the area and premise from which they
				originate.
(4) Check premise--A
				premise located in a tick eradication quarantine area, temporary preventative
				quarantine area, or control purpose quarantine area that is not classified as
				an infested, exposed, or adjacent premise.
(5) Control purpose quarantine area--A
				premise or property designated by the commission for a systematic inspection of
				livestock and premises and control of the movement of livestock in order to
				investigate and control a suspected exposure of animals to ticks outside the
				tick eradication quarantine area. The boundaries of the area will be determined
				by evaluation of the barriers to the potential spread of ticks.
(6) Designated Fever Tick Epidemiologist
				(DFTE)--A State or Federal epidemiologist designated to make decisions
				concerning the use and interpretation of exposure to fever ticks and to manage
				the Fever Tick program. The DFTE must be selected jointly by the Executive
				Director of the commission and the USDA-APHIS, VS representative for Texas. The
				DFTE has the responsibility to determine the scope of epidemiologic
				investigations, determine the status of herds, assist in development of
				individual herd plans, and coordinate fever tick surveillance and eradication
				programs within his or her geographic area of responsibility. The DFTE has
				authority to make independent decisions concerning the management of herds and
				use of property and limiting the impact of wildlife when those decisions are
				supported by sound fever tick eradication principles.
(7) Dipping or treating--If the commission
				requires livestock to be dipped, the livestock shall be submerged in a vat. A
				spray-dip machine may be used in areas where a vat is not reasonably available.
				Careful hand spraying may be used for easily restrained horses and show cattle,
				and when specifically authorized, certain zoo or domestic animals. Livestock
				unable to go through a dipping vat because of size or physical condition may be
				hand sprayed. The treatment must be paint marked so that it can be identified
				for at least 17 days. If the commission determines that free-ranging wildlife
				and exotic animals, which are capable of hosting fever ticks, require
				treatment, they shall be treated by methods and for the duration of time
				approved by the commission.
(8)
				Exposed livestock--Any of the following factors shall constitute livestock as
				being exposed:
(A) Livestock that have
				entered an infested or exposed premise and have not been dipped and removed
				from the infested or exposed premise within 14 days after entry.
(B) Livestock that have occupied an exposed
				premise and have not completed treatment required for movement from an exposed
				premise.
(C) Livestock that have
				entered Texas from Mexico without a certificate from the United States
				Department of Agriculture.