*** GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ***
Effective Date: June 1984
Last Update:
Health Requirements Governing the Admission of Animals
For More Information on Current
Regulations Please Contact
Dr. Edwin Odor
Telephone: (302) 739-4811
Fax: (302) 697-4451
Relation to Federal Requirements
All livestock and poultry imports must meet Delaware Animal Health requirements, and be in compliance with the Federal Interstate requirements.
All animals covered by these regulations originating from public stockyards or which may be assembled at public stockyards consigned to a legal resident of Delaware shall be required to meet regulations of the State of Delaware before being released.
Livestock entering the State of
Who May Inspect
Accredited, licensed graduate veterinarians who are approved by the livestock sanitary official of the state of origin and veterinarians in the employ of the Animal Health Division, United States Department of Agriculture.
Duties of Carriers
Owners and operators of common carriers, trucks and other conveyances are
forbidden to move any livestock into or within the state or through the State
of
All railway cars, trucks, and other conveyances used for the transportation of livestock and poultry shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
Owners and operators of railway cars, trucks and other conveyances that have been used for the movement of any livestock infected with or exposed to any infectious, contagious or communicable disease shall be required to have such cars, trucks and other conveyances thoroughly cleaned and disinfected under official supervision, before further use is permissible for the transportation of livestock.
Official Health Certificate
An official health certificate is a legible record covering the requirements
of the State of
The health certificate shall contain the names and addresses of the consignor and the consignee, with an accurate description or identification of the animals and shall also indicate the health status of the animals involved, including results of required tests. Health certificates shall be void thirty (30) days after issuance.
All laboratory tests for brucellosis and other diseases of animals which are
intended for interstate movements to
All livestock imported into the State of
A copy of the approved official health certificate shall be forwarded to the State Veterinarian, Department of Poultry and Animal Health, 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware, 19901, before the arrival of the livestock.
In addition to the general requirements, all cattle shall meet the following requirements:
1. Brucellosis
a. animals shall originate in Brucellosis Free or Modified Certified Free Areas or in herds which have had a complete negative herd test for brucellosis within the past twelve (12) months and
b. individual animals to be imported over six (6) months of age shall be negative to an official brucellosis blood test conducted within thirty (30) days of the date of entry. Official brucellosis vaccinated heifers of the dairy and beef breeds under 18 months of age, steers, and spayed heifers need not be brucellosis tested and
c. shall not originate in herds under quarantine or in herds which contain brucellosis suspects or reactors.
d. individual animals shall be identified by ear tag or registration number, breed, sex and age.
2. Tuberculosis
a. animals over six (6) months of age shall be negative to a tuberculin test within sixty (60) days of the date of entry and
b. shall not originate in herds under quarantine or in herds which contain tuberculosis suspects or reactors.
3. Slaughter Cattle:
Clinically healthy cattle may enter the state without test or permit, provided such cattle are consigned directly to a slaughter house, sales ring or commission auction which is specifically approved by the United State Department of Agriculture and the Chief Livestock Regulatory Official of the State of Delaware. The animals must be accompanied by a waybill or similar document or a certificate signed by the owner or shipper stating that the animals are for immediate slaughter. Said cattle to be held in strict quarantine on premises at destination away from all cattle used for dairy or breeding purposes, and must be slaughtered within ten (10) days from the date of entry. All animals classified for immediate slaughter other than animals consigned directly to a slaughter house, must be individually identified, hot branded with the letter "S" by a representative of the State-Federal Government and so listed on the waybill, bill of sale or shipping certificate.
4. Feeder Cattle:
a. feeder cows and heifers which do not come within the brucellosis requirements may be imported into the state for temporary feeding purposes provided they have passed a negative brucellosis blood test within thirty (30) days prior to entry, or are consigned to a public stockyard under official supervision where they shall be blood tested by an approved veterinarian.
b. feeder cows, heifers, steers and spayed heifers which do not come within the tuberculosis requirements may be imported into the state for temporary feeding purposes provided they have passed a negative tuberculosis test within sixty (60) days prior to entry, or are consigned to a public stockyard under official supervision, where they shall be tuberculin tested by an approved veterinarian.
c. or may be consigned directly to an approved feed lot
1. These animals may enter the State of Delaware when accompanied by an official health certificate stating that said animals are free of any infectious or contagious diseases and have not been exposed thereto.
2. Horses must have included in the health certificate their temperature reading taken not more than ten (10) days prior to entry. Horses with a temperature exceeding one hundred and two (102) degrees fahrenheit are not permitted entry.
3. Testing Requirements for Horses:
a. all horses that are imported into Delaware must be accompanied by a certificate from an approved laboratory stating that they have been officially tested and have been found to be negative for equine infectious anemia within the past twelve (12) months.
b. all horses assembled at a show, fair, race meet, or other such function in Delaware, must be accompanied by a certificate of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia conducted within twelve (12) months prior to the event.