CHAPTER 15

TRICHOMONIASIS RULES

Section 1. Authority to Create Rules.

(a) Pursuant to the authority vested in the Wyoming Livestock Board by virtue of W. S. §11-18-103 (a) (v), the following rules are hereby promulgated.

Section 2. Purpose of Rules.

(a) These rules are adopted to prevent the introduction of, and control the spread of, Trichomoniasis, a venereal disease in Bovine.

Section 3. Definitions used in Rules.

(a) The following definitions are applicable for implementing these rules:

(i) “Accredited Veterinarian” means an individual who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service in the state where he/she practices.

(ii) “Approved Livestock Market” means a livestock market that is licensed by the Board.

(iii) “Board” means the Wyoming Livestock Board, State Agency 051, whose current address is 2020 Carey Avenue, 4th Floor, Cheyenne WY 82002-0051, (307) 777-7515.

(iv) “Board Approved Individual Identification” means an ear tag that is supplied and approved by the Board, placed in the right ear of a Test Eligible Bovine at the time of the first Official Trichomoniasis Test.

(v) “Bovine” means sexually intact male and female Bovine of the genus Bos.

(vi) “Brand Inspection Form” means a document issued by the Board that is used to record the change of ownership and/or movement of livestock both intrastate and interstate.

(vii) “Certificate of Veterinary Health Inspection” means a four (4) identical part, sequentially numbered document created by the Board and issued in books of twenty five (25) to Accredited Veterinarians for the purpose of documenting an animal’s health status. A Certificate of Veterinary Health Inspection is valid for thirty (30) days after issuance.

(viii) “Certified Trichomoniasis Negative” means any sexually intact male Bovine that has tested negative to one (1) Board approved Official Trichomoniasis Test and two (2)

Board approved Official Trichomoniasis Retests from the testing Licensed and Certified Veterinarian.

(ix) “Common Grazing Allotment” means any common pasturing arrangement, in which Bovine from two (2) or more owners may commingle and Bovine sexual activity is possible.

(x) “Direct Movement” means movement in which the Bovine are not unloaded en route to their final destination.

(xi) “Feedlot” means a confined dry lot area for finish feeding of animals with no facilities for pasturing or grazing.

(xii) “Infected Herd Unit” means a group of two or more Bovine in which one or more Bovine have been diagnosed to be infected with Trichomoniasis. The State Veterinarian in cooperation with the livestock producer and the Licensed and Certified Veterinarian will determine what constitutes an Infected Herd Unit.

(xiii) “Interstate Livestock Health Movement Agreement” means a written agreement that allows for the movement of Bovine between Wyoming and adjacent states. This Agreement must be approved by state animal health official in the state of origin and state of destination prior to movement.

(xiv) “Licensed and Certified Veterinarian” means a veterinarian who is licensed by the state licensing authority in the state that he/she practices and has successfully completed a Board approved Trichomoniasis certification program. Beginning July 1, 2009 veterinarians will need to retake the certification program at least every five (5) years to remain certified.

(xv) “Official Trichomoniasis Retest” means an Official Trichomoniasis Test conducted at least seven (7) days, but not more than twenty-one (21) days, after any previous Official Trichomoniasis Test.

(xvi) “Official Trichomoniasis Test” means a test conducted on a properly collected and cultivated or processed sample to detect the presence of the organism Tritrichomonas foetus. When necessary, staff from the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory shall determine if the sample was properly collected and cultivated or processed.

(xvii) “PCR Test” means the Polymerase Chain Reaction test, a test which detects genetic material of the Tritrichomonas fetus parasite. Staff from the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory shall advise the State Veterinarian on the protocol for sample collection and processing for this test.

(xviii) “Premise” means the ground, area, building and equipment occupied by one or more Bovine.

(xix) “Quarantine” means a document issued by the Board that restricts movement of Bovine.

(xx) “Recognized Slaughter Establishment” means any slaughter establishment operating under the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906, and as amended, or the Wyoming Food Safety Rule of 2000, and as amended.

(xxi) “Slaughter” means the slaughter of a Bovine within fourteen (14) days at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment.

(xxii) “Trichomoniasis” means a contagious venereal disease of Bovine, caused by a protozoan, Tritrichomonas foetus, and characterized by infertility, pyometra, abortion, and reproductive inefficiency.

(xxiii) “Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine” means a Bovine that has tested positive to an Official Trichomoniasis Test or Official Trichomoniasis Retest.

(xxiv) “Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine” means any non virginal, sexually intact, male Bovine, or any sexually intact male Bovine over 30 months of age.

(xxv) “V Brand” means a 2"X 3" hot iron single V character brand applied to the left tail-head of a Bovine signifying that the Bovine is infected with the venereal disease, Trichomoniasis.

(xxvi) “V Lot Agreement” means a contractual agreement between the Board and an operator that allows for the feeding of untested Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine, Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine or Trichomoniasis exposed Bovine, in a Feedlot based upon the operation’s compliance with the provisions of the V Lot Agreement. All Trichomoniasis Infected and exposed Bovine will be branded with a V Brand on the left tail head. All male Bovine must be isolated from all female Bovine at all times while in the V lot and must be shipped in Direct Movement to Slaughter when leaving the V Lot.

(xxvii) “Virgin Bovine” means a sexually intact male or female bovine that has not had sexual contact with a Bovine of the opposite gender.

(xxviii) “VS Form 1-27” means an official restricted movement document that is issued by a state or federal representative or by an Accredited Veterinarian with Board approval. The VS Form 1-27 is required to accompany a Trichomoniasis Positive Bovine, or Trichomoniasis exposed Bovine that has been placed under Quarantine and is being moved to a specified destination and also untested Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine being moved to a specified destination.

Section 4. Penalty for a Violation of Rules.

(a) Penalties for a violation of these rules will be pursuant to law.

Section 5. Duty to Report Trichomoniasis to State Veterinarian.

(a) Pursuant to W.S. §11-19-102, any person who knows or suspects that there is Trichomoniasis among Bovine that he or she manages shall immediately report the same to the State Veterinarian.

(b) The Licensed and Certified Veterinarian who has collected the specimen and/or performed the laboratory diagnosis from a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine, must notify the Board within twenty-four (24) hours of learning the results of a positive test.

Section 6. Veterinarians to be Certified in the Collection Techniques and Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis.

(a) All Official Trichomoniasis Test samples must be collected only by a Licensed and Certified Veterinarian who was certified within the previous five (5) years in the collection of samples for, and laboratory diagnosis of Trichomoniasis.

(b) An Official Trichomoniasis Test must be performed only by a Licensed and Certified Veterinarian who was certified within the previous five (5) years in the collection of samples for, and laboratory diagnosis of Trichomoniasis, or by authorized personnel at an approved veterinary laboratory.

Section 7. Trichomoniasis Testing Requirements for Test Eligible Bovine.

(a) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine tested for Trichomoniasis must be identified with Board Approved Individual Identification and this identification must be recorded on the test chart.

(b) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine offered for sale for reproductive purposes in Wyoming must be Certified Trichomoniasis Negative prior to issuance of any change of ownership Brand Inspection Form. The ideal time to test for Trichomoniasis is immediately following the breeding season.

(i) The following are exemptions to this requirement:

(A) Virgin male Bovine under 30 months of age. A written statement attesting to the virginity of the Bovine must accompany the transaction;

(B) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine, Certified Trichomoniasis Negative after the previous breeding season and having no reproductive exposure since the last Official Trichomoniasis Test;

(C) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine intended only for feeding in a V Lot and then sent by Direct Movement to Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment; and

(D) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine from a herd in which all Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine have been tested negative by the PCR Test since the last breeding season.

Section 8. Test Eligible Bovine Sold Through an Approved Livestock Market.

(a) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that are purchased for breeding purposes must test negative to one Official Trichomoniasis Test prior to leaving the Approved Livestock Market and shall be placed under Quarantine pending two negative Official Trichomoniasis Retests prior to commingling with female Bovine.

(i) The following is an exemption to this requirement:

(A) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine from a herd in which all Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine have been tested negative by the PCR Test since the last breeding season.

(b) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that leave an Approved Livestock Market must be accompanied by a VS Form 1-27.

Section 9. Test Eligible Bovine Sold by Private Treaty.

(a) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that are purchased through private treaty for breeding purposes must test negative to one Official Trichomoniasis Test and two Official Trichomoniasis Retests prior to commingling with female Bovine. If no facilities exist to test the animals prior to sale, they may move under a Quarantine issued by the Board to a location where the testing can be completed.

(i) The following is an exemption to this requirement:

(A) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine from a herd in which all Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine have been tested negative by the PCR Test since the last breeding season.

Section 10. Bovine that Breach a Fence and Commingle.

(a) Any Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that breaches a fence commingling with another producer’s Bovine shall be tested if that producer requests an Official Trichomoniasis Test. The owner of the offending Bovine shall bear all costs for the requested Official Trichomoniasis Test.

Section 11. Trichomoniasis Test Requirements for Leased Male Bovine.

(a) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine leased for reproductive purposes within Wyoming shall be tested and found negative to an Official Trichomoniasis Test and two (2) Official Trichomoniasis Retests prior to delivery.

(i) The following are exemptions to this requirement:

(A) Virgin male Bovine under 30 months of age. A written statement attesting to the virginity of the Bovine must accompany the transaction.

(B) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine, Certified Trichomoniasis Negative after the previous breeding season and having no reproductive exposure since the last Official Trichomoniasis Test.

(C) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine from a herd in which all Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine have been tested negative by the PCR Test since the last breeding season.

(b) The Board must be notified in writing with a copy of the negative Trichomoniasis test results prior to Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine being delivered.

Section 12. Common Grazing Allotment Trichomoniasis Test Requirements.

(a) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine used for reproductive purposes on female Bovine that will be grazed on Common Grazing Allotments shall test negative once prior to the breeding season.

(i) The following are exemptions to this requirement:

(A) Virgin male Bovine under 30 months of age;

(B) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine tested negative for Trichomoniasis after the previous breeding season and having no reproductive exposure since the last Official Trichomoniasis Test; and

(C) Common Grazing Allotments who apply with the Board requesting waiver by a letter bearing the signatures of all members of the Common Grazing Allotment. Board approval of the waiver will take into consideration any written complaints from neighboring producers. An evaluation of the risk of Trichomoniasis will be made prior to granting the waiver.

(b) A copy of the negative Trichomoniasis test results must be supplied to the Board prior to Bovine being released on a Common Grazing Allotment.

Section 13. Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine and Herd Units.

(a) The sale of known Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine for reproductive purposes is strictly prohibited.

(b) The Licensed and Certified Veterinarian who has collected the specimen and performed the laboratory diagnosis from a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine and the laboratory performing the test, must notify the Board within twenty four (24) hours of learning the results of a positive test.

(c) Any Bovine testing positive to an Official Trichomoniasis Test, and the Infected Herd Unit shall immediately be placed under Quarantine by the Board.

(d) The Licensed and Certified Veterinarian who has collected the specimen from a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine must notify the owner of the infected Bovine within twenty four (24) hours of learning of a positive test result.

(e) The owner, lessor, bailee, manager or other person who is in charge of a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine must notify all other members of a Common Grazing Allotment, adjacent landowners and the Board in writing via the United States Postal Service, personal delivery, fax or email within seven (7) days of learning of positive Official Trichomoniasis Test results.

(f) The owner of a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine shall apply a V Brand on the infected Bovine within seven (7) days of notification of positive test results and prior to moving the Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine from the Quarantine Premise.

(g) Any Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine must move in Direct Movement for Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment or feeding in a V Lot and then move in Direct Movement for Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment.

(h) All Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine in an Infected Herd Unit shall be subject to an Official Trichomoniasis test and two (2) Official Trichomoniasis Retests and shall not be moved until the results of the tests are known. Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine testing negative will be released from Quarantine by the Board and will be considered Certified Trichomoniasis Negative.

(i) The following are exemptions to this requirement:

(A) Virgin male Bovine under 30 months of age;

(B) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that are sent by Direct Movement to Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment; and

(C) Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that are fed in a V Lot and then sent by Direct Movement to Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment.

(i) Any non pregnant, sexually intact female Bovine sold from an Infected Herd Unit must be destined only to Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment accompanied by a VS Form 1-27.

(i) The following are exemptions to this requirement;

(A) Virgin, sexually intact female Bovine, two (2) years of age and under, that are accompanied by an owner signed affidavit attesting to their virginity; and

(B) Bovine that are fed in a V Lot and not commingled with any other Bovine. After feeding, these Bovine must go in Direct Movement to Slaughter at a Recognized Slaughter Establishment accompanied by a VS Form 1-27.

(j) Any pregnant Bovine sold from an Infected Herd Unit shall move only accompanied by a VS Form 1-27.

(k) Failure to comply with Sections 5, 7, 8, 12 and 13 shall result in Quarantine of all Bovine in the non compliant herd and Premise.

(l) The State Veterinarian shall determine the destination of non pregnant female Bovine sold prior to the subsequent diagnosis of Trichomoniasis in a herd and shall notify the person who purchased the Bovine.

Section 14. Movement of Bovine Held Pursuant to Quarantine.

(a) No Trichomoniasis infected Bovine, or female Bovine from an Infected Herd Unit, will be removed from the Premise unless approved by the State Veterinarian and accompanied by a VS Form 1-27.

Section 15. Release of Quarantine.

(a) The following requirements must be adhered to before a Quarantine will be released:

(i) All infected and exposed male Bovine must be tested and Certified Trichimoniasis Negative by a Licensed and Certified Veterinarian or be removed from the Infected Herd Unit in accordance with these Rules; and

(ii) Any sexually intact female Bovine that has been exposed to a Trichomoniasis Infected Bovine may be removed from the Infected Herd Unit only in accordance with these rules.

(b) Release of Quarantine will be only by written notice from the Board after coordination by the State Veterinarian, livestock producer and Licensed and Certified Veterinarian.

Section 16. Test Eligible Bovine used for Recreational and Exhibition Purposes.

(a) Sexually intact male Bovine used for recreational and exhibition purposes must adhere to the following:

(i) The Bovine shall remain under confinement at the recreational or exhibition Premise;

(ii) The Bovine shall not have access to, or be allowed to commingle with sexually intact female Bovine;

(iii) Any Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine used for recreational and exhibition purposes that breaches a fence and commingles with other Bovine shall be tested for Trichomoniasis. The owner of the offending Bovine shall bear all costs for the requested Official Trichomoniasis Test; and

(iv) Any Trichomoniasis Test Eligible Bovine that remains in Wyoming for breeding purposes, change of ownership, or grazing must adhere to the conditions in Section 7 and Section 15 of these Rules.

5/22/08 FinalRule