Temporary Restrictions on the Importation of Lagomorphs

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Division of Animal Industry

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

5CER20-4Temporary Restrictions on the Importation of Lagomorphs

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: On March 24, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NVSL-FADDL) detected Rabbit Hemorrhagic Diseases Virus Type 2 (RHDV2), via PCR from samples submitted from two domestic rabbits from New Mexico.

Since March 1, 2020, there have been reports of wild rabbit deaths in southern New Mexico. Reports of domestic and wild lagomorph mortality in additional States in the region soon followed these initial detections. From March 24, 2020 to the present, RHDV2 has been confirmed in domestic rabbits from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, in wild rabbits and hares in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, and Nevada, and in feral rabbits in Colorado and Utah.

RHDV2 is a highly contagious and lethal form of a viral hepatitis that affects members of the order Lagomorpha and includes rabbits, hares and pikas. Generally, the only signs of the disease are sudden death and blood-stained noses caused by internal bleeding. Infected rabbits may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs. There is currently no approved vaccine for use in the United States and no specific treatment for the disease.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: This rule is fair and justified because it takes only the necessary actions to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by preventing the introduction and spread of this dangerous and transmissible disease and its vectors. The rule requires that Lagomorphs intended for movement into Florida be inspected seventy (72) hours prior to entry in this state by a veterinarian and be free from clinical signs of the disease. The Department is undertaking an aggressive campaign to notify the public about the implementation of this rule. The Department is currently in the process of amending Chapter 5C-3, F.A.C., through formal rulemaking in an effort to incorporate similar provisions for a more permanent solution.

SUMMARY: This rule places restrictions upon the importation of Lagomorphs to ensure they have not been exposed to a known or suspected case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease or infested and show no clinical signs of the disease. The requirements in this rule are in addition to the import requirements set forth in Chapter 5C-3, Florida Administrative Code.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Dr. Michael A. Short, State Veterinarian, Director, Division of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 407 S. Calhoun St., Rm. 330, Mayo Bldg., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800, phone [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

 

5CER20-4 Temporary Restrictions on the Importation of Lagomorphs.

(1) Definitions.

(a) Lagomorph. Any member of the taxonomic order Lagomorpha.

(b) Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD). A highly fatal hemorrhagic disease of rabbits and other lagomorphs caused by viruses in the family Caliciviridae, primarily Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2.

(2) All Lagomorphs originating from a state that has had RHD diagnosed in wild or domestic animals in the past 24 months, are required to be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection which must include the statement in (3) and be dated within seventy-two (72) hours prior to entry into Florida.

(3) The OCVI must include the following statement from the examining veterinarian, “All animals on this shipment have not been exposed to a known or suspected case of RHD and show no clinical signs of diseases on the inspection date of (inspection/examination date).”

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(21), (23), 585.08(2)(a) FS. Law Implemented 585.08(1), 585.145 FS. History–New 07-21-20.

 

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/21/2020