Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS › Sub-Agency 022 - LIVESTOCK DIVISION › Chapter 002 - HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IMPORT PROHIBITION › Section 20 022 002 - HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IMPORT PROHIBITION

Current through June, 2024
Annotated Text of Rule
[Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza Import
				Prohibition
(a) Findings of
			 Commissioner - [It is hereby found that] the Vermont poultry and egg
			 industry is a vital component of Vermont agriculture. Vermont
			 poultrymen supply Vermont residents with much needed poultry products
			 and eggs. [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza is a highly infectious,
			 [and] contagious and potentially lethal disease which can affect any
			 domestic bird. Serious outbreaks of Avian Influenza have occurred in
			 other northeastern states. [A serious outbreak of Highly Pathogenic
			 Avian Influenza is presently occurring in other northeastern states.]
			 In the event that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza infected domestic
			 birds within the State of Vermont, it would cause serious harm to the
			 industry and would have serious ramifications to the food supply for
			 Vermont consumers.] If domestic birds within Vermont become infected
			 with Avian Influenza, significant harm to the poultry industry would
			 result as well as serious ramifications concerning the food supply
			 available to Vermont consumers
(b) Definition: [Highly Pathogenic]
			 Avian Influenza [HPAI] is an acute, highly contagious viral disease
			 of chickens and turkeys. [An isolate of influenza type A virus may be
			 considered "highly pathogenic" if it causes death of at least 75
			 percent of a minimum of eight specific pathogen-free chickens 4 to 3
			 weeks of age, within 8 days after inoculation by either the caudal
			 air sac, intravenous, or intramuscular route.]
(c) No person shall bring into the
			 state, cause to be brought into the state, or possess in this state
			 any domestic bird, including all poultry and hatching eggs, which
			 originate from any state [subject in whole or in part to a] under
			 state, or federal quarantine for [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza,
			 any county within a state under a state or federal quarantine for
			 Avian Influenza, or any country or political subdivision under a
			 quarantine for Avian Influenza.
During the time period when a state or federal
				quarantine for Avian Influenza is in effect, the Vermont Commissioner
				of Agriculture may prevent entry into the state of any poultry,
				poultry products or equipment from the quarantined region.
(d) Any domestic bird,
			 or hatching eggs, which have originated in a state or county within a
			 state under [subject to] a quarantine for [Highly Pathogenic] Avian
			 Influenza or any country or political subdivision under quarantine
			 for Avian Influenza found in this state shall be subject to immediate
			 quarantine and shall be destroyed in a manner prescribed by the
			 Commissioner of Agriculture. All clothing, equipment, vehicles and
			 buildings which have in any way come into contact with any such
			 domestic birds from a quarantined state shall be subject to all
			 disinfection and sanitation techniques required by the Commissioner
			 of Agriculture which he deems necessary to prevent the spread of the
			 disease.
(e) Any person
			 who violates this regulation shall be imprisoned not more than six
			 months and fined not more than $ 500.00 or both for each offense,
			 pursuant to 6 V.S.A. Section 1410. Each day that a violation
			 continues constitutes a separate offense. In addition, those persons
			 shall be subject to other legal and equitable remedies available to
			 the Commissioner of Agriculture.