Rule 40-2-16-.25 - Animal Health(1)Healthy Animals. All raw milk for human consumption within the State of Georgia must be from healthy animals.(2)Prohibited Use. Raw milk from unhealthy animals must not be offered for sale, given away, or combined with other milk.(3)Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Testing. All animals (cow, sheep, goat, and other hooved mammals) producing raw milk for human consumption must be tested for brucellosis and tuberculosis every 12 months.(4)Positive Results. Animals with lesions or that test positive for brucellosis or tuberculosis must be reported to the Department within 24 hours of observation of such lesions or receipt of the positive test result and must be separated and kept separate from the remainder of the herd. (a) A test certificate identifying each animal and signed by a licensed veterinarian as well as the director of the laboratory making the test must be provided to the Department.(b) Animals must be retested by a licensed veterinarian at a frequency specified by the USDA, and the retest results must be provided to the Department.(c) Disposition of diseased animals must be conducted in accordance with guidelines published by the USDA and reported to the Department.(5)Other Diseases. For diseases other than brucellosis and tuberculosis:(a) The Department will require such physical, chemical, or bacteriological tests as it deems necessary.(b) The diagnosis of other diseases in dairy animals must be based upon the findings of a licensed veterinarian.(c) Any diseased animal disclosed by such test must be disposed of as the Department directs.(6)Entry into Georgia. Animals shipping into Georgia for the purpose of producing raw milk for human consumption must be tested for tuberculosis and brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to being brought into the state. Brucellosis testing is not required for any cattle that have been vaccinated for brucellosis and are under 30 months of age.(7)Records Available. Records supporting the tests required within this Rule, validated with the signature of a licensed veterinarian, must be made available to the Department upon request.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-2-16-.25
O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450, et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Animal Health" adopted. F. June 9, 2023; eff. July 1, 2023, as specified by the Agency.