Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, Effective January 22, 1999
Introduction
These Uniform Methods and Rules (UMR) are the minimum standards adopted and approved by the Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services (VS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), on January 21, 1999. They were established for the maintenance of tuberculosis-free accredited herds of cattle, captive cervids, bison, and goats, and the maintenance of State status in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's tuberculosis eradication program.
These minimum standards do not preclude the adoption of more stringent
standards by any State, status zone within a State, or region containing
multiple States.
Part I—Definitions
Accredited herd (cattle, bison, or goats)
An accredited herd is one that has passed at least two consecutive
annual caudal-fold tuberculin tests, has no other evidence of bovine tuberculosis,
and meets the standards of these UMR. Status is maintained through annual
herd testing around the anniversary date.
Accredited herd (captive cervid)
A herd that has passed at least three consecutive official tuberculosis
tests of all eligible animals conducted at 9- to 15-month intervals, has
no evidence of bovine tuberculosis, and meets the standards of these UMR.
Status is maintained through biennial herd testing around the anniversary
date.
Accredited veterinarian
A veterinarian approved by the Administrator of VS, APHIS, U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA), to perform functions required by cooperative StateFederal
animal disease-control and eradication programs.
Affected herd
A herd of livestock in which there is strong and substantial evidence
that Mycobacterium bovis may exist. This evidence should include,
but is not limited to, any of the following: epidemiologic evidence, histopathology,
bacterial isolation or detection, clinical signs, testing data, or association
with known sources of infection.
Anniversary date
The anniversary date of the third consecutive test in captive cervids
or second consecutive test in cattle and bison with no evidence of tuberculosis
disclosed (that is, the test on which the herd was recognized as accredited,
or the accrediting test). Each time the herd is tested for reaccreditation,
it must be tested between 10 and 14 months for cattle and bison or between
21 and 27 months for captive cervids from the anniversary date of the
accrediting test, not from the last date of reaccreditation.
Annual tests
Yearly blood tests for all eligible cattle or bison or captive cervids
to determine their tuberculosis statis. For cattle or bison, tests are
conducted at intervals of no less than 10 months nor more than 14 months.
For captive cervids, tests are conducted within 21 to 27 months from the
anniversary date of the third consecutive test.
Approved laboratory
A State or Federal veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The primary laboratory
for tuberculosis histopathology and bacteriology culture shall be the
National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, IA. Food Safety
and Inspection Service field service laboratories may be utilized for
histopathology.
Area Veterinarian-in-Charge
The veterinary official of VS, APHIS, USDA, who is assigned by the Deputy
Administrator to supervise and perform official APHIS animal health work.
Auction
A public sale of cattle, captive cervids, or goats to the highest bidder.
Auctioneer
A person who sells or makes a business of selling cattle, captive cervids,
bison, or goats at auction.
Bison
Bovids (genus Bison) commonly referred to as American buffalo or
buffalo.
Blood tuberculosis (BTB) test
The BTB test is a supplemental test for bovine tuberculosis in captive
cervids. The BTB test may be used at non-Federal expense as a supplemental
test to establish the disease status of a herd. Samples for this test
shall be collected only by State, Federal, or accredited veterinarians.
Bovine tuberculosis
A disease in cattle, captive cervids, bison, and goats caused by Mycobacterium
bovis.
Captive cervids
All species of deer, elk, moose, and all other members of the family Cervidae
raised or maintained in captivity for the production of meat and other
agricultural products, for sport, or for exhibition. A captive cervid
that escapes will continue to be considered a captive cervid as long as
it bears an official eartag or other identification approved by the Administrator
as unique and traceable with which to trace the animal back to its herd
of origin.
Cattle
All domestic bovine (genus Bos) animals of all ages.
Caudal-fold tuberculin (CFT) test
The intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of USDA bovine purified protein derivative
(PPD) tuberculin (1 mg/mL PPD) into either side of the caudal fold with
reading by visual observation and palpation 72 hours (plus or minus 6
hours) following injection. Cattle, bison, or goats will not be subjected
to CFT retest at intervals of less than 60 days.
Certificate
An official document issued by a VS or State representative or an accredited
veterinarian at the point of origin of a shipment of livestock. It shall
include the following:
1. The official eartag number of each animal;
2. The number of animals covered by the document;
3. The purpose for which the animals are to be moved;
4. The points of origin and destination;
5. The consignor; and
6. The consignee.
Cervical tuberculin (CT) test
The intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of USDA bovine cervical PPD tuberculin
(2 mg/mL PPD) in the cervical region with reading by visual observation
and palpation 72 hours (plus or minus 6 hours) following injection. Results
of the CT test can only be classified as reactor or negative.
Commission firm
A person, partnership, or corporation that buys and sells livestock as
a third party and reports details of the transaction to the seller, the
buyer, or both. This includes any such person or group regardless of whether
a fee is charged for the services.
Commission sales
Those sales that are conducted by a third party who reports details of
the transactions to the seller, the buyer, or both.
Comparative cervical tuberculin (CCT) test
The intradermal injection of biologically balanced USDA bovine PPD tuberculin
and avian PPD tuberculin at separate sites in the midcervical area to
determine the probable presence of bovine tuberculosis (M. bovis)
by comparing the response of the two tuberculins at 72 hours (plus or
minus 6 hours) following injection. This test shall be administered only
by an approved State or Federal veterinarian.
Dealer
Any person engaged in the business of buying or selling cattle, captive
cervids, bison, or goats in commerce either on his or her own account
or as the employee or agent of the vendor, purchaser, or both, or any
person engaged in the business of buying or selling cattle, captive cervids,
bison, or goats in commerce on a commission basis. The term shall not
include a person who (1) buys or sells cattle, bison, captive cervids,
or goats as part of his or her own bona fide breeding, feeding, or dairy
or beef operation; (2) is not engaged in the business of buying, selling,
trading, or negotiating the transfer of cattle, bison, or goats; or (3)
receives cattle, captive cervids, bison, or goats exclusively for immediate
slaughter on his or her own premises.
Designated accredited veterinarian
An accredited veterinarian trained and approved to conduct tuberculosis
program activities.
Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist (DTE)
A State or Federal epidemiologist designated by APHIS to make decisions
concerning the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests and the management
of affected herds under this subpart who has demonstrated the knowledge
and ability to perform the functions specified by the Bovine Tuberculosis
Eradication UMR. The DTE must be selected jointly by the cooperating State
animal health official, the Area Veterinarian-in-Charge, and the Regional
Epidemiologist. The National Animal Health Programs Staff of VS must concur
in the appointment.
The DTE has the responsibility to determine the scope of epidemiologic investigations, determine the status of herds, assist in development of individual herd plans, and coordinate disease surveillance and eradication programs within his or her geographic responsibility. The DTE has authority to make independent decisions concerning the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests and management of affected herds when those actions are supported by sound disease eradication principles.
Direct shipment to slaughter
The shipment of tuberculosis reactors, tuberculosis suspects, and tuberculosis-exposed
cattle, captive cervids, bison, goats, or exposed swine from the premises
of origin, by permit without stopping or unloading, directly to a slaughter
establishment under State or Federal inspection and without diversion
to assembly points, such as auctions, dealers, or commission firm premises,
public stockyards, or feedlots. Captive cervids being moved directly may
be unloaded from the means of conveyance while en route only if they are
isolated so that they cannot mingle with any livestock other than those
with which they are being shipped.
Eradication
Eradication is the complete elimination of bovine tuberculosis from cattle,
captive cervids, bison, and goats in a State so that the disease does
not appear unless introduced from another species or from outside the
State.
Exposed animals
Any cattle, bison, captive cervids, goats, swine, or other livestock that
have been exposed to bovine tuberculosis by reason of associating with
other livestock from which M. bovis has been isolated.
Feedlot
A confined drylot area for finish feeding of animals, with no facilities
for pasturing or grazing.
Geographic separation
Geographic separation means a minimum of 30 feet of separation, no common
or shared handling facilities and equipment, no common watering or feeding
equipment, and no common feed vehicles that enter the premises of herds
of different status. Also, if the herds are fed by the same personnel,
workers must wear different outerwear (e.g., boots and coveralls) for
each herd.
Adjacent herds existing before the effective date of these requirements for separation that do not meet the minimum 30-foot separation may be defined as separate herds at the discretion of cooperating State and Federal animal health officials and with the concurrence of the Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist.
Goats (genus Capra)
Domestic caprids (genus Capra) kept for the purpose of producing
milk or meat for human consumption or for exhibition.
Herd
Any group of livestock maintained on common ground or two or more groups
of livestock under common ownership or supervision that are geographically
separated from other herds but can have an interchange or movement without
regard to health status, as determined by the APHIS Administrator. A group
means one or more animals.
Herd depopulation
The destruction of all livestock exposed to bovine tuberculosis in a herd
by slaughter or by death otherwise before any restocking of the premises
with cattle, captive cervids, bison, or goats.
Individual herd plan
A written disease-management plan that is designed by the herd owner,
other herd representative, or both, and a State or Federal veterinarian
to eradicate tuberculosis from an affected herd while reducing human exposure
to the disease. The herd plan will include appropriate herd test frequencies,
tests to be employed, and any additional disease-management or herd-management
practices deemed necessary to eradicate tuberculosis from the herd in
an efficient and effective manner. The plan must be approved by the State
animal health official and the Area Veterinarian-in-Charge and have the
concurrence of the Regional or Designated Tuberculosis Epidemiologist.
Livestock
Cattle, bison, cervids, swine, dairy goats, and other hoofed animals (such
as llamas, alpacas, and antelope) raised or maintained in captivity for
the production of meat and other products, for sport, or for exhibition.
Monitored herd (captive cervid)
A herd on which identification records are maintained for animals 1 year
of age and older that are slaughtered and inspected for tuberculosis at
an approved State or Federal slaughter facility or an approved diagnostic
laboratory, and animals classified negative to an official tuberculin
test. The initial qualifying total herd size is the annual average of
animals 1 year of age and older during the initial test period, which
period shall not exceed 3 years. The animals slaughtered must be identified
as belonging to the herd. The combined number of slaughtered and tested
animals in the sample must be evenly distributed over a 3-year period,
and no less than 20 percent of the qualifying animals must be slaughter
inspected. The rate to detect infection at a 2-percent prevalence level
with 95-percent confidence would require a maximum number of 178 animals.
(See appendix 1.)
Natural additions
Animals born and raised in a herd.
Negative animals
Any cattle, bison, captive cervids, or goats that show no response to
the tuberculin test, are classified by the testing laboratory as "avian"
or "negative" on the BTB test, or are classified negative for
tuberculosis by the testing veterinarian based upon history, supplemental
tests, examination of the carcass, and histopathology and culture of selected
tissues.
No Gross Lesion (NGL)
Any animal that does not reveal a lesion(s) of bovine tuberculosis detected
upon necropsy or slaughter inspection. (An animal with skin lesions alone
will be considered in the same category as an NGL animal.)
Official eartag
An eartag approved by the APHIS Administrator as providing unique identification
for each individual bovine, bison, and captive cervid by conforming to
the alphanumeric National Uniform Eartagging System.
Official tuberculosis test
A test for bovine tuberculosis, approved by APHIS, applied and reported
by approved personnel in accordance with these UMR. The official tuberculin
tests for cattle, bison, and goats are the caudal-fold test, the comparative
cervical test, and the cervical test.
Official tuberculosis test (captive cervid)
A test for bovine tuberculosis applied and reported by approved personnel
in accordance with these UMR. The official tests for captive cervids are
the single cervical test, the comparative cervical test, and the blood
tuberculosis test.
Passed herd
A herd in which no animals were classified as reactors or suspects as
a result of a herd test of all animals eligible for testing.
Permit
An official document issued by a representative of APHISVS, a State
representative, or an accredited veterinarian that is required to accompany
any reactor, suspect, or exposed cattle, captive cervids, bison, goats,
or exposed swine to slaughter. The permit will list the reactor tag number
or official eartag number in the case of reactor, suspect, or exposed
cattle, bison, goats, or swine as well as the owner's name and address,
origin and destination locations; number of animals covered; and the purpose
of the movement. If a change in destination becomes necessary, a new permit
must be issued by authorized personnel. No diversion from the destination
on the permit is allowed.
Qualified herd
A captive cervid herd that has undergone at least one complete official
negative test of all eligible animals within the past 12 months, has no
evidence of bovine tuberculosis, and meets the standards of these UMR.
Quarantined feedlot
A feedlot under the direct supervision and control of a State livestock
official who shall establish procedures for the accounting of all animals
entering or leaving the area. The quarantined feedlot shall be maintained
for finish feeding of animals in drylot with no provision for pasturing
and grazing. Animals leaving such a feedlot must move directly to slaughter
in accordance with established procedures for handling quarantined animals.
Reactor
Any bovid (genus Bos), captive cervid, bison, or goat that shows
a response to an official tuberculosis test and is classified a reactor
by the testing veterinarian or DTE, or any suspect animal that is classified
a reactor upon slaughter inspection or necropsy after histopathology and/or
culture of selected tissues by the USDA or State veterinarian performing
or supervising the slaughter inspection or necropsy.
Routine testing
Caudal-fold tuberculin tests (CFT's) or single cervical tuberculin tests
(SCT's) in captive cervids conducted as part of a State or zone eradication
program in which responding animals are reported as suspects or without
classification to the appropriate animal health official.
Single cervical tuberculin (SCT) test (captive cervid)
The intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of USDA bovine PPD tuberculin (1 mg/mL
PPD) in the midcervical region with reading by visual observation and
palpation 72 hours (plus or minus 6 hours) following injection. This test
shall be administered only by a State, Federal, or designated accredited
veterinarian. Captive cervids will not be subjected to CFT retest at intervals
of less than 90 days.
Split status zone
A geographic area within a State designated by APHIS and the State as
having a tuberculosis status different from the remainder of the State.
Split status zones must meet annual performance measures outlined in a
zoning agreement to maintain split status.
Suspect
1. Any cattle, bison, or goat that shows a response to the caudal-fold
tuberculin test and is not classified a reactor; or cattle, bison, or
goats that have been classified suspects by a comparative cervical test.
2. Any captive cervid that is not negative to the SCT test or the CCT test, or that is classified by the testing laboratory as equivocal in response to the BTB test, and that is not classified as a reactor by the testing veterinarian.
Tuberculin
A product that is approved by, and produced under, USDA license for injection
into livestock for the purpose of detecting bovine tuberculosis.