SECTION 47.12. General Requirements

This regulation sets the standards for personnel who perform work in the brucellosis control program pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, §161.0417 and §163.064. Personnel may perform bovine brucellosis work in Texas as follows:

(1) Collecting and submitting blood samples. Only authorized personnel may collect and submit blood samples. Authorized personnel and employees of authorized veterinarians may apply official eartags and backtags and record individual identification on the test record.

(2) Performing the card test. Only authorized personnel who hold valid card test permits may conduct the card test.

(3) Vaccinating.

(A) Only authorized personnel may calfhood vaccinate eligible heifers for brucellosis. Authorized personnel employees of authorized veterinarians may affix vaccination eartags and record vaccinations on the vaccination certificate.

(B) Only commission veterinarians and inspectors, USDA veterinary medical officers and animal health technicians, and authorized veterinarians may adult vaccinate cattle for brucellosis. Authorized veterinarians who vaccinate adult cattle shall follow commission protocols for adult vaccination.

(4) An authorized veterinarian's technician or other employee must work under the direct supervision of an authorized veterinarian while performing brucellosis work as permitted herein except an authorized employee who is only collecting blood samples on animals to be consigned directly from the ranch to slaughter and submitting them to the state/federal laboratory for testing may do so under general supervision. An authorized veterinarian's technician or other authorized employee may operate under the general supervision of an authorized veterinarian and may perform testing for brucellosis at a livestock market. The authorized veterinarian is responsible for assuring that authorized veterinarian's technicians and other employees working under his/her supervision comply with all commission regulations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §47.12 adopted to be effective February 4, 2014, 39 TexReg 486