CHAPTER 15. CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF
PULLORUM DISEASE
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
15.1. Definitions.
15.2. Flock and participation.
15.3. [Reserved].
15.4. Official bacteriological monitoring program.
15.5. Collection of blood samples.
15.6. Commercial flocks.
15.7. Identification of the flock.
15.8. Hatcheries.
15.9. Records of movement and reports of official tests.
15.10. Importation and intrastate transportation of program birds and their hatching eggs.
15.11. Exhibition of program birds.
15.12. National poultry improvement plan.
15.13. Fowl typhoid.
15.14. [Reserved].
15.15. Flock medication.
TESTING
15.21. Testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status.
15.22. Volumes, breeds and ages for testing.
15.23. Testing requirements for infection.
15.24. [Reserved].
15.25. [Reserved].
15.26. [Reserved].
15.31. [Reserved].
15.32. [Reserved].
15.33. [Reserved].
SANITATION
15.41. General requirements.
15.42. Free flying birds.
15.43. Removal of reactors.
15.44. Incubators.
15.45. Hatching trays.
15.46. Shipping containers.
ADVERTISING
15.51. Advertising to be truthful.
15.52. [Reserved].
15.53. [Reserved].
MISCELLANEOUS
15.61. [Reserved].
15.62. [Reserved].
15.63. Indemnity.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 15 issued under the Pennsylvania Meat and Poultry Hygiene Law of 1968 (31 P. S. § § 483.1—483.24); and section 40 of the act of July 22, 1913 (P. L. 928, No. 441) (3 P. S. § 430), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 15 amended through November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361, unless otherwise noted.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 3.116 (relating to commercial, backyard or exhibition types of poultry, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs); and 7 Pa. Code § 3.196 (relating to commercial, backyard or exhibition types of poultry, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 15.1. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Breeding flock—A program bird kept on the premises that is intended for the production of hatching eggs or that is maintained for the purpose of establishing, continuing or improving parent lines.
Bureau—The Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department.
Department—The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.
Fowl typhoid—An acute, subacute or chronic infectious disease of poultry and other birds caused by the bacteria, Salmonella Gallinarum. Fowl typhoid is a dangerous, transmissible, reportable disease and it shall be subject to the act of April 17, 1929 (P. L. 533, No. 236) (3 P. S. § § 341—351).
Hatchery—Hatchery equipment on one premises operated or controlled by a person for the incubation of eggs from breeding flocks.
Official test—The standard tube agglutination test performed by a laboratory approved by the Department.
Program—The Commonwealth program for the eradication of pullorum disease and fowl typhoid. The program is based on sanitary principles and includes repeated official blood testing of the flock, elimination of reactors and correction of unsanitary conditions under the supervision of the Bureau.
Program birds—A chicken, turkey, waterfowl and guinea and game fowl.
Pullorum disease—An acute, subacute or chronic infectious disease of poultry and other birds caused by the bacteria, Salmonella Pullorum. Pullorum disease is a dangerous, transmissible, reportable disease and it shall be subject to the act of April 17, 1929 (P. L. 533, No. 236) (3 P. S. § § 341—351).
Source The provisions of this § 15.1 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (38139).
§ 15.2. Flock and participation.
(a) Participation in the program shall be required for program bird breeding flocks within this Commonwealth.
(b) Only program birds and hatching eggs originating from breeding flocks or hatcheries participating in the program or an equivalent official pullorum-typhoid eradication program may be bought, sold, added to flocks, transported within or imported into this Commonwealth, except those to be immediately slaughtered.
(c) Participation in the program requires:
(i) Blood tests of breeding flocks.
(ii) Blood tests of other avian species kept with or near the breeding flocks as deemed necessary by the Department.
(iii) Achievement and maintenance of a pullorum-typhoid free flock status under the requirements of § § 15.21—15.23 (relating to testing).
(d) The owner shall place his flock under the supervision and inspection of the Department in order to participate in the program and shall confine the birds to enable collection of blood samples.
(e) Both open and closed breeding flocks shall participate.
Source The provisions of this § 15.2 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended July 16, 1976, effective July 17, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 1665; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (38139) to (38140).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 15.10 (relating to importation and intrastate transportation of program birds and their hatching eggs).
§ 15.3. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.3 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; corrected January 7, 1977, effective January 3, 1976, 7 Pa.B. 76; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32362).
§ 15.4. Official bacteriological monitoring program.
The Bureau may allow the official bacteriological monitoring program for maintenance of pullorum-typhoid free flock status. The official monitoring program shall consist of:
(1) Monitoring of hatching eggs and their environment for salmonella pullorum and salmonella gallinarum by Bureau-approved bacteriological sampling tests.
(2) Blood tests of the breeding flock as specified in § 15.21 (relating to testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status), as related to numbers, percentages, and species tested.
(3) Prompt reporting of abnormal hatching egg fertility, hatchability or abnormal mortality in chicks or other baby fowl.
(4) Compliance with § 15.9 (relating to records of movement and reports of official tests).
Source The provisions of this § 15.4 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361; amended September 7, 1979, effective September 8, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2999. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (38140).
§ 15.5. Collection of blood samples.
Blood samples of breeding flocks shall be collected by any of the following under the supervision of the Bureau:
(1) An accredited veterinarian.
(2) A licensed poultry technician.
(3) An agent of the Bureau or APHIS-USDA.
Source The provisions of this § 15.5 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32362).
§ 15.6. Commercial flocks.
Breeding flock owners wishing to maintain a separate nonparticipating flock for commercial egg or meat production shall submit a written request, prior to purchase of the chicks, to the Bureau, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120, requesting permission to raise a commercial flock in conjunction with a breeding flock. Permission will be contingent upon on-the-premises inspection of existing facilities and conditions and the determination of safe operational policies by Department inspectors.
Source The provisions of this § 15.6 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32362).
§ 15.7. Identification of the flock.
(a) Birds in the flock bled for tests shall be identified with an official band approved by the Department.
(b) Information on large and small leg bands and band sealing pliers for identification of poultry can be obtained from the Bureau, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120.
(c) The flock and band numbers of birds bled for official tests shall be identified by completion of the official blood testing report slip (AAI-29), which shall accompany blood samples submitted for official tests.
Source The provisions of this § 15.7 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32363).
§ 15.8. Hatcheries.
(a) Hatcheries shall be handled in the same manner as a single flock. Each unit shall comply with all of the requirements of the program.
(b) Hatcheries shall accept eggs only from flocks participating in the program.
Source The provisions of this § 15.8 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32363).
§ 15.9. Records of movement and reports of official tests.
Records and reports of official tests shall be maintained and made available for inspection by an authorized agent of the Bureau at any reasonable time as follows:
(1) Records of movement. Managers of flocks and hatcheries shall maintain a complete record for a 12-month period of names and addresses of sources and destinations of program birds or hatching eggs transported or otherwise moved to or from their premises. The records shall also include the date of movement and indicate the species, breed and strain moved.
(2) Reports of official tests. It is recommended by the Bureau that managers of breeding flocks and hatcheries should maintain a file for at least 2 years, as of November 30, 1977, and thereafter, of reports of official tests on their birds and on each of the flocks from which hatching eggs are procured. Waterfowl and quail breeding flocks and hatcheries should maintain the aforementioned reports for 6 years if maintaining pullorum-free flock status by repeat testing every 5 years as described in § 15.21(c)(iii) (relating to testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status). Properly completed NPIP Forms 15 may be used in lieu of reports of official tests. Use of this procedure will facilitate verification of compliance with testing requirements.
Source The provisions of this § 15.9 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32363).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 15.4 (relating to official bacteriological monitoring program).
§ 15.10. Importation and intrastate transportation of program birds and their hatching eggs.
Program birds and their hatching eggs imported into or transported within this Commonwealth shall meet provisions of § 15.2(b) (relating to flock and participation) and shall move in full compliance with Chapter 3 Subchapters E and L (relating to importation of all types of poultry, birds, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs; and intrastate transportation for all types of poultry, birds, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs).
Source The provisions of this § 15.10 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32363).
§ 15.11. Exhibition of program birds.
(a) Program birds for exhibition in this Commonwealth shall be from flocks participating in an official pullorum-typhoid eradication program.
(b) Participation in an official pullorum eradication program shall be verified in a manner acceptable to the Bureau at time of entrance to the show premises.
Source The provisions of this § 15.11 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32364).
§ 15.12. National poultry improvement plan.
A person or firm who meets the requirements of Pennsylvania pullorum-typhoid free flock program may obtain a U.S. pullorum-typhoid clean classification by submitting an application form to the Bureau. The Bureau will approve United States ratings under the authority and guidelines of the memorandum of understanding with USDA for this purpose.
Source The provisions of this § 15.12 amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361; amended January 27, 1978, effective January 28, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 246. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (32364).
§ 15.13. Fowl typhoid.
This chapter applies to fowl typhoid since fowl typhoid is serologically identical with pullorum disease.
§ 15.14. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.14 adopted January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended July 16, 1976, effective July 17, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 1665; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28551).
§ 15.15. Flock medication.
Medication of the flock with antibiotics or chemotherapeutic agents, within the 4 weeks prior to collection of official blood test samples, shall be reported to the Bureau on the reverse side of an official blood testing report slip (Form AAI-29). Medication may be detrimental to the test and should be given only when absolutely necessary.
Source The provisions of this § 15.15 adopted January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28551).
TESTING
§ 15.21. Testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status.
(a) At least one official negative flock test shall be achieved as of January 1, 1975, or thereafter, by any breeding flock in order to achieve a pullorum-typhoid free flock status.
(b) If the Commonwealth is not a United States pullorum-typhoid clean state, breeding flocks shall maintain pullorum-typhoid status by repeat testing in accordance with minimum requirements for the classification of the Commonwealth as either a United States Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State or a Pullorum-Typhoid Free State by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) If the Commonwealth is a United States Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State, all breeding flocks shall maintain pullorum-typhoid free flock status by repeat testing as follows:
(1) Chickens. Pullorum-typhoid free primary breeding flocks shall either officially test a representative sample of 300 birds from flocks of more than 300 and each bird in flocks of 300 or less every three years in conjunction with the official bacteriological monitoring program or officially test a representative sample of 300 birds from flocks of more than 300 and each bird in flocks of 300 or less annually. Pullorum-typhoid free multiplier breeding flocks shall either officially test a representative sample of 200 birds from flocks of more than 200 and each bird in flocks of 200 or less every three years in conjunction with the official bacteriological monitoring program or officially test a representative sample of 200 birds from flocks of more than 200 and each bird in flocks of 200 or less annually.
(2) Turkeys. Pullorum-typhoid free breeding flocks shall either participate in the official bacteriological monitoring program or officially test a representative sample of 200 birds from flocks of more than 200 and each bird in flocks of 200 or less annually.
(3) Waterfowl. Pullorum-typhoid free breeding flocks shall either officially test a representative sample of 300 birds from flocks of more than 300 and each bird in flocks of 300 or less every 5 years in conjunction with the official bacteriological monitoring program or officially test a representative sample of 300 birds from flocks of more than 300 and each bird in flocks of 300 or less annually.
(4) Guinea and game fowl. Pullorum-typhoid free breeding flocks shall either officially test each bird in flocks of 40 birds or less, or a representative sample of 40 birds in flocks of 40 to 200, or a representative sample of at least 20% of flocks larger than 200 with a maximum of 300 samples annually in conjunction with the official bacteriological monitoring program or officially test a representative sample of 300 birds from flocks of more than 300 and each bird in flocks of 300 or less annually. Pullorum-typhoid free quail breeders may test under the requirements of paragraph (3) for waterfowl.
(d) A breeding flocks that have been infected with or exposed to or are suspected of infection with or exposure to pullorum disease or fowl typhoid shall meet requirements specified in § 15.23 (relating to testing requirements for inspection) before qualifying for pullorum-typhoid free flock status.
Source The provisions of this § 15.21 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361; amended September 7, 1979, effective September 8, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2999. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (38143).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 15.2 (relating to flock and participation); 7 Pa. Code § 15.4 (relating to official bacteriological monitoring program); 7 Pa. Code § 15.9 (relating to records of movement and reports of official tests); and 7 Pa. Code § 15.22 (relating to volumes, breeds and ages for testing).
§ 15.22. Volumes, breeds and ages for testing.
(a) The numbers, percentages and species tested shall be as stated in § 15.21 (relating to testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status).
(b) The Department may increase volume or species requirements as deemed necessary to eradicate pullorum disease and fowl typhoid in this Commonwealth.
(c) Breeding chickens shall be tested after 5 months of age. Breeding turkeys, waterfowl, guinea and game fowl shall be tested after they are more than 4 months of age requirements as deemed necessary to eradicate pullorum disease.
Source The provisions of this § 15.22 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26021).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 15.2 (relating to flock and participation).
§ 15.23. Testing requirements for infection.
(a) When one or more birds in a breeding flock has been infected with pullorum disease or fowl typhoid, the breeding flock shall have two negative, consecutive, official, 100% tests conducted at intervals of not less than 60 days and not more than 1 year apart, plus a third negative, consecutive, official 100% test 1 year after the aforementioned double-negative testing interval.
(b) Breeding flocks exposed or suspected of exposure to pullorum disease or fowl typhoid shall test as follows:
(1) Chickens, turkeys, guinea and game fowl. Two negative, consecutive, official tests conducted at intervals of not less than 60 days and not more than 1 year apart.
(2) Waterfowl. Two negative, consecutive, official tests conducted at intervals of not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years apart in conjunction with a bacteriological monitoring program approved by the Bureau.
Source The provisions of this § 15.23 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26022).
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 15.2 (relating to flock and participation); and 7 Pa. Code § 15.21 (relating to testing requirements for pullorum-typhoid free flock status).
§ 15.24. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.24 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
§ 15.25. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.25 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
§ 15.26. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.26 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
§ 15.31. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.31 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
§ 15.32. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.32 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
§ 15.33. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.33 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (28552).
SANITATION
§ 15.41. General requirements.
Premises and equipment shall be kept in a sanitary condition.
§ 15.42. Free flying birds.
Provisions shall be made to prevent free flying birds from gaining entrance to breeding flock houses.
Source The provisions of this § 15.42 amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26023).
§ 15.43. Removal of reactors.
On request of Department agents and in accord with their directions, premises, equipment and houses shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by the owner following the removal of reactors. Assistance in disinfection may be provided by the Bureau.
Source The provisions of this § 15.43 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26023).
§ 15.44. Incubators.
Incubators shall be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and fumigated before the hatchery season and after each hatch.
§ 15.45. Hatching trays.
Hatching trays shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between hatches.
§ 15.46. Shipping containers.
New, unused or clean and disinfected containers and crates shall be used for shipments. Reference should also be made to Chapter 3 Subchapters E and L (relating to importation of all types of poultry, birds, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs; and intrastate transportation for all types of poultry, birds, water and game fowl and their hatching eggs).
Source The provisions of this § 15.46 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26024).
ADVERTISING
§ 15.51. Advertising to be truthful.
Owners of flocks or hatcheries shall use only true statements when publishing advertising material pertaining to the status of their flocks.
Source The provisions of this § 15.51 amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26024).
§ 15.52. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.52 reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26024).
§ 15.53. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.53 reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26024).
MISCELLANEOUS
§ 15.61. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.61 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26025).
§ 15.62. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 15.62 amended January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; reserved November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26025).
§ 15.63. Indemnity.
For the provisions covering indemnity for pullorum disease refer to the act of June 22, 1931 (P. L. 682, No. 249) (3 P. S. § § 398—400) and Chapter 8 (relating to appraisal and indemnity for diseased animals).
Source The provisions of this § 15.63 adopted January 2, 1976, effective January 3, 1976, 6 Pa.B. 7; amended November 18, 1977, effective November 19, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3361. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (26025).
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