SECTION 35.60. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Adjacent herd--A herd of livestock that occupies a premise that lies within one mile of an affected herd.

(2) Affected herd--A herd in which any animal(s) has been classified as a reactor or suspect and the requirements of the individual herd plan have not been met.

(3) Approved laboratory--A State or Federal veterinary diagnostic laboratory for brucellosis testing that must be approved by USDA, APHIS, VS and State animal health authorities.

(4) Approved personnel--Texas Animal Health Commission inspectors and veterinarians; Federal Animal Health technicians and veterinarians; accredited Texas veterinarians; and others who have been approved to do those assigned duties as described in these regulations for brucellosis control and eradication.

(5) Brucellosis--For purposes of this regulation, brucellosis is a contagious, infectious disease of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and swine caused by Brucella melitensis.

(6) Certified free herd-- A Herd that is operating under a signed agreement with the commission and has met the requirements of §35.62 (d) of this title (relating to Requirements for Certified Brucellosis Free Herd of Goats).

(7) Commission--Texas Animal Health Commission.

(8) Epidemiologist--A veterinarian who has received a degree in epidemiology and is employed by the commission or USDA, APHIS, VS.

(9) Executive director--The chief executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission appointed by the commissioners and authorized to act for the commissioners in the absence of the chairman.

(10) Exposed livestock--Animals that are part of an affected herd or animals that have been in contact with an affected animal. These animals shall be classified as exposed regardless of any blood test results.

(11) Goats--Domestic caprine (genus Capra) kept for the purpose of producing meat, milk or fiber.

(12) Herd-- All animals maintained on a single premise which are commingled; and all animals under common ownership or supervision on two or more premises with animal interchange between the premises.

(13) High risk herd--A herd that is epidemiologically judged by a state-federal veterinarian to have a high probability of having or developing brucellosis. A high risk need not be located on the same premise as an infected or adjacent herd.

(14) Hold order--A document restricting movement of a herd, unit, or individual animal pending the determination of disease status.

(15) Individual herd plan--A disease management and testing plan to prevent, control, and eliminate brucellosis in a herd.

(16) Official identification--A Veterinary Services or TAHC approved identification eartag, registration tattoo, or other approved device that uniquely identifies each individual animal. The official identification may not be removed from the animal.

(17) Premise--An area defined by the outermost boundary of land under common ownership or control enclosed by a perimeter fence of other boundary. A premise may consist of more than one pasture.

(18) Reactor-- Animals classified as being infected with brucellosis as a result of serological testing or microbiological culturing of blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions from the animal.

(19) Regulatory Veterinarian--A veterinarian employed by TAHC or USDA, APHIS, VS.

(20) Sheep--Domestic ovine (genus ovis) kept for the purpose of producing milk, meat, or fiber.

(21) Suspect--Animals classified as suspicious of being infected with brucellosis as a result of serological tests.

Source Note: The provisions of this §35.60 adopted to be effective September 28, 1990, 15 TexReg 5359; amended to be effective December 24, 2000, 25 TexReg 12376