Md. Code Regs. 15.11.06.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 26, December 27, 2024

Section 15.11.06.04 - Area Plan

A. Area Validation. Following a request from swine owners within a designated area, the Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, may declare that area validated-brucellosis-free provided it fulfills the following requirements:

(1) All breeding herds in the designated area shall have attained negative status.

(2) Not more than 3 percent of the herds, or one herd, whichever is greater, shall have been found to be infected during the 18-month qualification period.

(3) Areas may qualify as validated-brucellosis-free for a period of 3 years provided all breeding herds in the designated area qualify under one of the two following procedures:

(a) All herds of breeding swine in the designated area shall be validated or have a negative herd test, in which all breeding swine 6 months old or older are tested. All herds of breeding swine in the designated area qualifying under the procedure shall have been tested within 18 months before the date validation is requested.

(b) All herds of breeding swine in the designated area shall be validated or have established negative herd status under a market swine testing program (10 percent of the breeding swine to be tested annually for 3 consecutive years).

B. Area Revalidation.

(1) Areas which carry out one of the following provisions may be revalidated at the expiration of the 3 year period:

(a) Negative herd test, in which all breeding swine 6 months old or older are tested and found negative within the last 18 months of the 3 year validation period.

(b) Each herd of breeding swine shall blood test at least 10 percent of the breeding swine over 6 months old, or a minimum of one animal, whichever is greater, within the 3-year period. If one- half of the required tests are not reported by the end of the first 18 months of the 3 year validation period, it will be necessary to blood test all breeding swine in each herd in the area as under this subsection.

(2) Infected Herds. Herds found infected during the validation period shall be placed under quarantine until freed of brucellosis.

(3) Disposal of Reactors. Reactors shall be permanently identified by tag or brand, or both, and moved under permit within 10 days for immediate slaughter to an approved slaughtering establishment.

(4) Cleaning and Disinfection. Buildings, farrowing pens, and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected following removal of the reactors.

(5) Permissible Infection Rate for Revalidation. The accumulated number of infected herds in a validated-brucellosis-free area may not exceed 5 percent of the herds in the area, or one herd, whichever is greater, over the 3 year validation period.

C. Cancellation of Area Validation. Cancellation shall become effective at the end of a 36-month period if the designated area does not qualify for revalidation under §B, above.

Md. Code Regs. 15.11.06.04