5C-6.00191. Market Cattle Identification, Testing, and Traceback

(1) Market cattle and bison are those animals moving in trade through auction markets or stockyards or to slaughtering establishments; also included are those animals assembled at farms or ranches that are being readied for immediate movement to markets, stockyards, or slaughtering establishments, or other sales. Such animals must be identified to the herd of origin by eartag and/or backtag prior to or at the first point of concentration in marketing channels.

(2) Animals to be tested.

(a) At slaughter establishments. All cows and bulls over two years of age are to be tested.

(b) At markets, other sales, quarantined feedlots and quarantined pastures in Class A, Class B and Class C areas. All test-eligible animals (see subsection 5C-6.00192(1), F.A.C.) over 18 months of age (as evidenced by loss of the first pair of temporary incisor teeth) must be tested unless they originate from Class Free areas, or Certified Brucellosis-Free Herds or have proof of meeting the test requirements for movement as described in subsections 5C-6.0032(4), 5C-6.0033(4), or 5C-6.0034(4), F.A.C., for Class A, B, and C areas respectively. “S” branding in lieu of testing is not authorized.

(3) Handling reactors revealed at markets. Animals revealed to be reactors as a result of tests conducted at a market will be handled the same as any other reactor. The herd of origin will be quarantined until it qualifies for release. Other animals in the lot with the reactor(s) may be “S” branded and sold or may be returned to the herd of origin under quarantine without being “S” branded.

(4) Market test reactors must be traced to the herd of origin and the herd tested as is deemed appropriate. Tracing to dealers, commission firms and such, are not considered successful tracebacks of reactors if the investigation ceases at that point and all possible herds of origin are not tested. Sold out herds to be considered as successful tracebacks shall be confirmed by documentation of total slaughter and shall have no animals remaining. Tracebacks to feedlots are successful and are to be treated as a herd and the feedlots are to be quarantined and the animals there are to be tested or slaughtered. Tracebacks to quarantined feedlots and quarantined pastures are successful as being traced to known reactor herds.

(5) Epidemiologic investigation of market test reactors.

(a) When reactors in marketing channels are positive to complement fixation, rivanol, or other supplemental test titers, the epidemiologic investigation shall include the following:

1. Contact and adjacent herds shall be identified, recorded and investigated.

2. The herd of origin must be blood tested unless the epidemiologic investigation indicates conclusively that the titers are not caused by field strains of Brucella abortus. If the investigation reveals titers were not caused by field strain Brucella abortus, and the herd is not tested, a statement will be prepared by the regulatory official indicating this was discussed with the herd owner or his representative and listing the reasons the herd was not tested. The statement shall be signed by both parties and both parties shall retain a copy.

3. In Class Free, Class A, and Class B areas, all sales following the estimated date of onset of infection shall be traced and the herds of destination identified, recorded and investigated for evidence of infection by testing. If not tested, a statement as provided in subparagraph 5C-6.00191(5)(a)2., F.A.C., above shall be executed.

4. If the herd is tested negative, it shall be retested 30 to 90 days later if deemed necessary by the epidemiologist.

(b) When reactors in market channels are negative to complement fixation, rivanol, or other supplemental tests, the herd owner will be contacted and a joint decision made to test or not to test the herd. If the herd is not tested, a memorandum of statement as provided in subparagraph 5C-6.00191(5)(a)2., F.A.C., above shall be executed. The herd shall be tested if reasonable doubt exists as to the reason for the serological response or if evidence of brucella infection is present or if the status of contact or other neighborhood herds is questionable.

(6) Exposed animals. Animals that are part of a known infected herd or that have been in contact with brucellosis reactors in marketing channels for periods of 24 hours or periods of less than 24 hours if the reactor has recently aborted, calved, or has a vaginal or uterine discharge are considered to be exposed regardless of the blood test results and must be placed under quarantine and restricted pending slaughter or testing after return to the herd of origin. Good herd management dictates that such animals be held in isolation pending further testing.

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 585.002(4), 585.08(2) FS. Law Implemented 585.08(1), (3), 585.11(1), (2), 585.155(1), (2), (3), (4) FS. History– New 6-1-92, Amended 4-10-94.