Sec. 15.11.02.04. Slaughter Animals

A. All cattle 2 years old and older, except steers, consigned to slaughter shall be identified at the first point of concentration by an official market cattle identification tag or other method approved by the Secretary. The official identification may not be removed from any animal until slaughtered.

B. Every slaughtering establishment in Maryland shall collect at the time of slaughter a blood sample together with all man-made identification from all cattle 2 years old or older, except steers, regardless of whether they bear official identification. The blood sample shall be protected from conditions causing deterioration, and along with all man-made identification of the animal, shall be submitted to a Department animal health laboratory for brucellosis testing.