5C-3.003. Equine

(1) Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) Required. The OCVI must list the description sufficient to identify the individual Equine including name, age, breed, color, gender, distinctive markings, and unique and permanent forms of identification when present (eg. Brands, tattoos, scars, cowlicks, or blemishes), and temperature at the time of exam. An OCVI must accompany all Equines Imported into Florida, except the following:

(a) Equines consigned directly to a veterinary medical treatment facility for emergency medical care until treatment is completed and the Equine exits the state; or

(b) Equines accompanied by an Equine Event Extension document, Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin, signed by the State Veterinarian or chief animal health official as provided in subsection 5C-3.003(5), F.A.C.

(2) Prior Permission Number. A Prior Permission Number must be obtained for:

(a) Equines consigned directly to a veterinary medical treatment facility for emergency medical care which do not have appropriate documentation for interstate movement;

(b) Equines Imported into Florida from areas within the United States or foreign countries, where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is endemic; or

(c) Equines Imported into Florida from countries where Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is endemic; or

(d) Equines Imported into Florida from non-affected Premises in VS-Affected States.

(3) Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Test.

(a) All Equines Imported into Florida must be accompanied by evidence of an official negative EIA serologic test as provided in the Equine Infectious Anemia: Uniform Methods and Rules, APHIS 91-55-064, January 10, 2007, completed within twelve (12) months prior to Importation. Equine Infectious Anemia: Uniform Methods and Rules, APHIS 91-55-064, January 10, 2007 is hereby incorporated by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10867. The following are exempt from the EIA Serologic testing requirement:

1. Foals under six (6) months of age accompanied by their dam which has met the EIA test requirements; and

2. Equines exempted from the OCVI requirement under paragraph 5C-3.003(1)(a), F.A.C.

(b) The EIA test information must be recorded on the OCVI, the Equine Event Extension document, the Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin as provided in subsection 5C-3.003(5), F.A.C., approved by the State Veterinarian or chief animal health official, and must include the following:

1. The date the EIA test sample was collected;

2. The result of the test;

3. The name of the testing laboratory; and

4. The laboratory accession number.

(4) Equine Piroplasmosis Requirements.

(a) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States have been determined to be endemic for Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) and Equines moved from these areas to Florida are subject to the requirements of paragraphs 5C-3.003(2)(b) and (4)(b), (c) and (d), F.A.C. Pursuant to section 585.14, F.S., the Division of Animal Industry, under the direction of the State Veterinarian, shall publish notice of other localities, regions, states, or U.S. possessions, where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is determined to be endemic on its website (www.FreshFromFlorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Animal-Industry) and in the Florida Administrative Register as necessary.

(b) Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI). Notwithstanding paragraph 5C-3.002(1)(c), F.A.C., for Equines from localities, regions, states, or U.S. possessions where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is determined to be endemic, the inspection date of the OCVI that must accompany Equines Imported into or through the State of Florida shall be issued no more than fourteen (14) days prior to the entry of the Equine into the state. The OCVI must also include the following statement: “No animals identified on this certificate have not been on a Premises found positive for Theileria equi (Babesia Equi) or Babesia caballi or under quarantine within the past thirty (30) days. All animals identified on this certificate have been inspected and found free of ticks, and have been thoroughly treated with an approved acaricide labeled for use in Equine within fourteen (14) days of entry.”

(c) Testing. All Equines Imported into Florida from localities, regions, states or U.S. possessions where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is determined to be endemic must be accompanied by evidence of a negative Competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) test for both Babesia caballi and Theileria equi (Babesia equi), performed at the USDA, APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) or other laboratory authorized by the USDA, APHIS, NVSL. The blood sample for the test must be taken within thirty (30) days prior to entry into Florida. The result and accession number must be listed on the OCVI.

(d) Tick Vectors. All Equines identified on the OCVI as originating from localities, regions, states, or U.S. possessions where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is determined to be endemic must be examined for, and found free of, ticks and must be thoroughly treated for ticks with a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered acaricide labeled for use in horses.

(e) Exemption. Equines from Florida consigned to localities, regions, states, or U.S. possessions where Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is determined to be endemic that are returned to Florida within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the Florida OCVI are exempt from the requirements of this rule.

(5) Equine Event Extension, FDACS-09051 Rev. 03/06 is hereby incorporated by reference and can be found online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10868 or Equine Interstate Passport Card. Equine Interstate Passport Card FDACS-09207 Rev. 08/18 is herby incorporated by reference and can be found online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10869. Equine Event Extension document, or Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin, when used in place of an OCVI, must certify the existence of an official negative EIA test within the previous twelve (12) months and a valid OCVI. The Equine Event Extension document, Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin, will be valid for up to six (6) months from date of issuance of the OCVI provided that:

(a) The purpose is to allow routine intrastate and interstate movement of Equines to attend events such as horse shows or exhibitions, fairs, and trail rides. These documents may not be used for movement of Equines for breeding purposes or change of ownership.

(b) The Equine Event Extension document or Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin shall include all other information required by subsections 5C-3.002(1) and 5C-3.003(3), F.A.C.;

(c) The Equine Event Extension document or Equine Interstate Passport Card, or equivalent of the animal’s state of origin expiration date will not be later than the expiration date of the EIA test or six (6) months from date of issue of the OCVI.

(d) An Equine Event Extension document or Equine Interstate Passport Card or equivalent from the animal’s state of origin, does not supersede or replace the requirements of any given event; and

(e) An Equine Event Extension document, or Equine Interstate Passport Card, may be applied for by owners of Florida-origin horses, by submitting an Application for Equine Event Extension, FDACS-09078 Rev. 09/17 or an Application for Equine Interstate Passport Card, FDACS-09219 Rev. 12/09, to: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry, 407 South Calhoun Street, Mayo Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800, or by Fax at [phone]. Application for Equine Event Extension, FDACS-09078 Rev. 09/17 is hereby incorporated by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10870.

Application for Equine Interstate Passport Card, FDACS-09219 Rev. 12/09 is hereby incorporated by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10871. Applications may be obtained from: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry, 407 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800, or by Fax at [phone].

(6) Brucellosis. Equines which are positive to a brucellosis test or which show evidence of “poll evil” or “fistulous withers,” whether draining or not, will not be allowed to enter the state for any purpose.

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 585.002(4), 585.08(2) FS. Law Implemented 570.07(15), 570.36(2), 585.002(5), 585.08(1), (2)(a), 585.14, 585.145(1), (2), 585.16 FS. History–New 11-21-65, Amended 6-26-66, 3-1-72, 10-15-73, 3-17-76, 9-14-82, 2-5-85, Formerly 5C-3.03, Amended 9-6-89, 3-23-94, 6-4-95, 12-12-04, 5-24-10, 8-19-19.