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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 99-1326

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Interstate/International Quarantine Order

[29 Pa.B. 4360]

   Whereas, Pseudorabies is an infectious disease of swine, cattle, sheep, goats, dogs and cats caused by Herpesvirus suis; and

   Whereas, Pseudorabies is designated a ''Dangerous Transmissible Disease'' of animals under the Domestic Animal Law (3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2301--2389), at 3 Pa.C.S. § 2321(a)(30); and

   Whereas, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has broad authority under the Domestic Animal Law to regulate the keeping and handling of domestic animals in order to exclude, contain or eliminate dangerous transmissible diseases; and

   Whereas, Pseudorabies is of particular concern to the swine production industry, in that infected swine tend to be smaller, less-healthy animals with a higher incidence of stillbirths and other physical problems; and

   Whereas, PDA is currently progressing through the State-Federal Pseudorabies Eradication Program, a systematic 5-stage program which will result in the elimination of Pseudorabies among swine in the Commonwealth; and

   Whereas, the Commonwealth has progressed through Stages I through III of the State-Federal Pseudorabies Eradication Program, and is currently a candidate for ''Stage IV'' status--with ''Stage V'' being the final, Pseudorabies-free stage; and

   Whereas, Pseudorabies exists in other states and other nations, and the transporting of infected swine from these states or nations could spread that disease among swine herds in the Commonwealth and cause the Commonwealth to revert to Stage I, II or III status; and

   Whereas, there are relatively unintrusive quarantine restrictions PDA can impose in order to prevent Pseudorabies-infected swine from entering the Commonwealth; and

   Whereas, the Domestic Animal Law allows (at 3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(c)) for the establishment of an Interstate/International Quarantine under the circumstances described above;

   Now, therefore, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, pursuant to the authority granted it under the Domestic Animal Law and § 1702 of the Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 442), orders the establishment of an interstate/international quarantine with respect to the shipment of feeder swine (swine which are not intended for use as breeding animals) into the Commonwealth. The quarantine restrictions are as follows:

   1.  Feeder swine shall only be allowed to be imported into the Commonwealth if:

   a.  By direct shipment from a farm of origin or market in a state/area classified as ''Stage IV'' or ''Stage V'' in the State-Federal Pseudorabies Eradication Program; or

   b.  By direct shipment from a farm of origin in a ''Stage III'' state/area; or

   c.  By direct shipment from a Pseudorabies qualified negative herd; or

   d.  By direct shipment from a feeder pig monitored herd in a ''Stage II'' state/area or from an approved feeder pig market if:

   i.  The feeder swine enter the Commonwealth on a permit authorizing their delivery to a designated feedlot; and

   ii.  The feeder swine are restricted to that designated feedlot until they are sent to slaughter.

   2.  Feeder swine from states or areas that are classified as ''Stage I'' in the State-Federal Pseudorabies Eradication Program may not be imported in the Commonwealth.

   3.  Feeder swine imported into the Commonwealth shall be accompanied by a valid health certificate.

   4.  Feeder swine imported into the Commonwealth shall be individually identified as to the herd of origin by legible tattoo, ear tag or other method approved by PDA.

   5.  If directed by PDA's Pseudorabies epidemiologist, feeder pigs that are imported from states or areas that are in Stage II or Stage III of the State-Federal Pseudorabies Eradication Program shall be subject to a post-import test for Pseudorabies 25 to 30 days after arrival. A sufficient number of animals will be randomly selected and tested to provide 95% confidence that infection will be detected if 10% or more of the herd is infected. This Order shall not be construed as limiting PDA's authority to test feeder swine allowed into the Commonwealth under the conditions set forth herein.

   6.  This Order is effective August 16, 1999, and shall remain in effect until rescinded by subsequent Order.

SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1326. Filed for public inspection August 13, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]


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