Sec. 15.11.01.04. Cattle: Dairy, Breeding, and Feeder

A. Tuberculosis Requirements.

(1) Cattle, which originate directly or indirectly from herds where infection with Mycobacterium bovis (Bovine Tuberculosis) has been known to exist within the past 3 years, may not be imported into the State, except for immediate slaughter.

(2) Cattle for dairy and breeding purposes, feeder cows, heifers and bulls of beef breeds, including calves and cattle for exhibition purposes, may be imported into Maryland provided they meet the following requirements:

(a) Cattle originating directly from accredited tuberculosis free states-no tuberculosis test required;

(b) Cattle originating from modified accredited tuberculosis free states:

(i) Originating directly from accredited tuberculosis free herds-no tuberculosis test required,

(ii) Originating directly from herds tested negative within the previous 12 months and provided the animals to be moved were included in the herd test or were natural additions under 1 year old-no tuberculosis test required,

(iii) Cattle over 6 months old not qualifying under §A(2)(b)(i) or A(2)(b)(ii), above, require a negative tuberculin test within 60 days before import.

(c) Steers, except those for exhibition purposes, and spayed heifers are exempt from the requirements in §§A(2)(a) and A(2) (b), above.

B. Brucellosis (Bang's Disease) Requirements.

(1) Cattle from herds which contain brucellosis suspects, or from herds under quarantine or restriction of any kind, are not eligible for entry without a prior written permit from the Secretary.

(2) Cattle for dairy and breeding purposes, feeder cows, heifers and bulls or beef breeds, including calves and cattle for exhibition purposes, may be imported into Maryland, provided they meet the following requirements:

(a) Cattle originating from herds not under restriction in certified brucellosis free states-no brucellosis test required;

(b) Cattle from all states not certified brucellosis free:

(i) Originating directly from certified brucellosis free herds-no brucellosis test required,

(ii) All other cattle except steers shall originate directly from qualified herds* shall comply with one of the following: * "Qualified herds" as defined in the latest published edition of "Recommended Uniform Methods and Rules" as recommended by the Brucellosis Committee of the United States Animal Health Association and adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture.

(aa) Be official vaccinates under 24 months old with vaccination dates recorded on the interstate certificate,

(bb) Be under 6 months old,

(cc) Be tested negative within 30 days before entry into Maryland.

(3) In all brucellosis procedures and policies not stated above, the latest edition of "Recommended Uniform Methods and Rules" shall apply.

C. Health Certificates.

(1) Cattle conforming to the preceding tuberculosis and brucellosis requirements will be accompanied by a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian or a licensed graduate veterinarian and approved by the proper animal health official of the state of origin. The certificate shall contain:

(a) A statement certifying that the cattle are free from any evidence of an infectious, parasitic, or transmissible disease, and have not been recently exposed to the same;

(b) The tuberculosis and brucellosis status of the herd and area in which the imported cattle originate, the date and results of brucellosis and tuberculin tests when required, description, age, tag, or tattoo number, specific brand, registry name and number of each animal to be imported.

(2) The names and addresses of the owner consignor and consignee shall be clearly legible.

D. Public Stockyards and Auctions. Cattle approved for entry into Maryland as free from tuberculosis or brucellosis may not be assembled, handled, or confined in any public stockyard, livestock auction, sales stable or yard, unless they are properly segregated in thoroughly cleaned disinfected pens to prevent their exposure to infected cattle or premises.

E. Immediate Slaughter.

(1) Apparently healthy cattle of strictly slaughter type to be used only for immediate slaughter may be imported into the State without a health certificate or tuberculosis or brucellosis test, provided the cattle are:

(a) Accompanied by a waybill and consigned for immediate slaughter to a recognized public stockyard where federal or State veterinary inspection is maintained;

(b) Shipped to a slaughtering establishment or slaughtering center that is approved and designated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the animal health official in the state of destination.

(2) The cattle shall be slaughtered within 10 days after arrival at destination, except when the 10 day period is extended by special permit from the Department.