5C-6.0032. Class A Area

Movement of animals on change of ownership within, into, or from Class A areas for the following purposes.

(1) Feeding.

(a) Movement into quarantined feedlots or quarantined pastures. Quarantined pastures are not allowed in Class Free Areas. Quarantined feedlots may exist in Class Free Areas for intrastate movements only.

1. Exposed animals from quarantined herds, except steers and spayed heifers, must be “S” hot-iron branded before movement and accompanied by an “S” brand permit (VS-1-27).

2. Untested test-eligible animals from other herds (including Certified Brucellosis-Free Herds) may move to quarantined feedlots or quarantined pastures without test restrictions. However, all parturient cattle must be tested upon entry into a quarantined feedlot. An official certificate of veterinary inspection is required for movement between areas. Exceptions to the “S” branding and “S” brand permits are allowed for finished fed heifers moving directly to immediate slaughter at recognized slaughtering establishments and for exposed animals where movement to slaughter does not require rail or motor carrier transportation.

(b) Movement into other feedlots. Requirements are the same as for breeding animals.

(2) Immediate slaughter.

(a) Exposed animals from quarantined herds shall be “S” hot-iron branded and move with an “S” brand permit to recognized slaughtering establishments or state-approved livestock markets for sale for immediate slaughter. In lieu of “S” branding, the animals may move directly to slaughter from such livestock markets or a farm of origin in sealed vehicles accompanied by an “S” brand permit (VS-1-27).

(b) Animals from nonquarantined herds may move to recognized slaughtering establishments or to state-approved livestock markets for sale for immediate slaughter without test restrictions if identity to source is maintained.

(3) Breeding animals.

(a) Test-eligible animals from Certified Brucellosis-Free Herds can move without test requirements if identity to source is maintained. An official certificate of veterinary inspection is required for movement between areas.

(b) A negative test within 30 days is required prior to movement from the farm of origin directly to the farm of destination. Animals may be moved from a farm of origin directly to a specifically approved stockyard for the required negative test. A 45 – 120 day post-movement test is strongly recommended.

(c) Steers and spayed heifers from any herd and official calfhood vaccinates of the dairy breeds under 20 months of age, official calfhood vaccinates of the beef breeds under 24 months of age which are not parturient or post parturient, or nonvaccinated animals less than 18 months of age from nonquarantined herds can move without test or certification restrictions.

(d) If the animals are from a herd not known to be infected, and the animals being moved have not changed ownership and are not going to change ownership, and if the animals are from herds which have had a complete herd test within 12 months and if any animals which were added to the herd after the herd test were also tested and, further, if the animals being moved have not come in contact with animals not meeting these requirements, then the additional testing requirements of subparagraph 5C-6.0032(4)(c)3., F.S.C., are not required. (The intent of this exception is to allow grazing associations, farmers, and ranchers to follow normal ranching operations although crossing jurisdictional boundaries during such movements without subjecting their animals to unnecessary handling and testing.)

(e) Calves from infected herds. All calves in an infected herd are included under the herd quarantine restrictions. If heifer calves are retained in the herd they should be calfhood vaccinated. These calves may be moved only if they comply with the requirements of sub-subparagraph 5C-6.0032(4)(c)6.a. or 5C-6.0032(4)(c)6.b., F.A.C. below:

1. The heifer calves must be “S” hot-iron branded or spayed, or

2. If retained on the farm:

a. The heifer calves must be quarantined and held separate and apart from the infected adult herd after weaning until they are negative on an official test following the completion of their first calving, or

b. If the heifer calves remain in the infected adult herd, the entire herd shall not be released from quarantine until all the heifer calves have matured and calved, then the entire herd must be tested negative for brucellosis to qualify for quarantine release.

(f) It is recommended that all female breeding stock be calfhood vaccinated.

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 6-26-83, Amended 2-5-85, Formerly 5C-6.032, Amended 8-24-87, 6-1-92, 4-10-94, 7-5-95.