At its regularly scheduled Aug. 13 meeting, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) adopted the following rule changes that will go into effect on Oct. 6, 2019:

* Chapter 38, Trichomoniasis

Three amendments were proposed to the Trichomoniasis (trich) chapter; however, only one was adopted.

According to TAHC, the adopted rule limits the use of a virgin certificate as an exemption to trich test requirements. The rule states that sexually intact male cattle under 18 months of age, or verified by birth date listed on the breed registry papers, must be certified by the breeder on a virgin certificate in order for the animal to be sold without a test. Therefore, the use of virgin certificates is restricted to breeding animals belonging to a breed registry that maintains an official list of animals for which there is an association of unique identification for the cattle.

* Chapter 49, Equine (Official Identification)

The adopted rule adds electronic identification and digital photographs as additional options for officially identifying equine, TAHC said. The use of hand-drawn identification marking is still accepted.

* Chapter 51, Entry Requirements (Equine)

TAHC said the proposed amendment incorporates forms of electronic identification (see Chapter 49, Equine rule adoption) as official identification for all equine entering Texas, whether they are moving on an extended equine interstate passport (EECVI) or standard certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI). To learn more about the EECVI option, visit https://www.globalvetlink.com/products/eecvi/.

Amendments proposed

TAHC said the following amendments were proposed, and the commission will accept public comments on the proposals between Sept. 27 and Oct. 28:

* Chapter 44, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Program

The chapter was originally proposed at the May 21, 2019, commission meeting for the purpose of establishing a bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) program. However, the rule proposal was withdrawn, and a new rule proposal was approved and submitted for public comment, TAHC said.

The newly proposed rule would provide mitigation from the risk of Texas cattle being exposed to persistently infected (PI) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) cattle. The rule defines which cattle are classified as BVDV PI and would require the seller to disclose the status in writing to the buyer prior to or at the time of sale, the commission explained.

For more information on the Chapter 44 rule proposal, visit https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/proposed/2019_08_13_Ch44BovineViralDiarrhea.pdf.

The deadline for comment submissions on the proposed amendment is Oct. 28. Comments on the proposed chapter must be submitted in writing to: Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758; by FAX at (512) 719-0719, or by email to [email protected]. For more information on the rule proposal and comment submissions, visit https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/proposals.html.