Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-70. Health Requirements Governing the Control of Equine Infectious Anemia in Virginia (amending 2VAC5-70-20; repealing 2VAC5-70-30).

Statutory Authority: § 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: March 2, 2011.

Agency Contact: Doug Saunders, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-8905, FAX (804) 371-2380, or email doug.saunders@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments (i) clarify that testing requirements for equine infectious anemia apply to all horses involved in activities on properties where horses belonging to different owners may come into contact with each other and (ii) eliminate the alternate testing requirements for horses assembled for sale or auction in Virginia.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: A summary of comments made by the public and the agency's response may be obtained from the promulgating agency or viewed at the office of the Registrar of Regulations.

2VAC5-70-20. Testing requirements for horses exhibited at shows, fairs, or other exhibitions, or coming into contact with horses owned by others in Virginia.

All horses assembled at a show, fair, race meet, or other such function, or participating in any activity on properties where horses [ owned by two or more belonging to different ] owners may come into contact with each other in Virginia, must be accompanied by a report of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia [ . The test shall be ] conducted [ by an approved laboratory on a sample taken by an accredited veterinarian or a State-Federal Regulatory Veterinarian ] within [ 12 months 365 days ] prior to such event or activity. The person in charge will ensure that a copy of the official negative test results accompanies each horse in the event or activity, and shall make such reports available for inspection by a representative of the State Veterinarian upon request. The person in charge shall exclude any horse which is not accompanied by a negative test report.

2VAC5-70-30. Alternate testing requirements for horses assembled for sale or auction in Virginia. (Repealed.)

Horses may be assembled at a sale or auction without a negative test for equine infectious anemia, provided that the State Veterinarian so approves, and that the following requirements are met:

1. All horses, while assembled at the sale or auction, shall have blood samples drawn for equine infectious anemia testing.

2. Horses consigned or sold for immediate slaughter to an official slaughtering establishment are exempt from equine infectious anemia testing. Such horses shall be identified in a manner approved by the State Veterinarian, and a written permit shall be issued for their transfer to the slaughtering establishment.

3. The owner or manager of the sale or auction shall employ a licensed accredited veterinarian, who shall draw blood samples from all horses required to be tested, and shall record all visible markings or other permanent identification for each horse bled.

4. The owner or manager shall announce, prior to the sale or auction, that all nonslaughter horses will be tested. Each buyer of a nonslaughter horse or horses at the sale or auction shall sign a release form, signifying his agreement to maintain such horse or horses at a specified location until notified of the results of the test. Horses that prove negative to the test may move in normal trade channels. Owners of horses that react to the test must comply with 2VAC5-70-40 of this chapter.

5. The State Veterinarian may grant such exceptions to these requirements as he feels the circumstances warrant and that are not in variance with other rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia.