Section 20 022 002 - HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IMPORT PROHIBITIONAnnotated Text of Rule
[Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza Import Prohibition
(a) Findings of Commissioner - [It is hereby found that] the Vermont poultry and egg industry is a vital component of Vermont agriculture. Vermont poultrymen supply Vermont residents with much needed poultry products and eggs. [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza is a highly infectious, [and] contagious and potentially lethal disease which can affect any domestic bird. Serious outbreaks of Avian Influenza have occurred in other northeastern states. [A serious outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is presently occurring in other northeastern states.] In the event that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza infected domestic birds within the State of Vermont, it would cause serious harm to the industry and would have serious ramifications to the food supply for Vermont consumers.] If domestic birds within Vermont become infected with Avian Influenza, significant harm to the poultry industry would result as well as serious ramifications concerning the food supply available to Vermont consumers(b) Definition: [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza [HPAI] is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of chickens and turkeys. [An isolate of influenza type A virus may be considered "highly pathogenic" if it causes death of at least 75 percent of a minimum of eight specific pathogen-free chickens 4 to 3 weeks of age, within 8 days after inoculation by either the caudal air sac, intravenous, or intramuscular route.](c) No person shall bring into the state, cause to be brought into the state, or possess in this state any domestic bird, including all poultry and hatching eggs, which originate from any state [subject in whole or in part to a] under state, or federal quarantine for [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza, any county within a state under a state or federal quarantine for Avian Influenza, or any country or political subdivision under a quarantine for Avian Influenza. During the time period when a state or federal quarantine for Avian Influenza is in effect, the Vermont Commissioner of Agriculture may prevent entry into the state of any poultry, poultry products or equipment from the quarantined region.
(d) Any domestic bird, or hatching eggs, which have originated in a state or county within a state under [subject to] a quarantine for [Highly Pathogenic] Avian Influenza or any country or political subdivision under quarantine for Avian Influenza found in this state shall be subject to immediate quarantine and shall be destroyed in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. All clothing, equipment, vehicles and buildings which have in any way come into contact with any such domestic birds from a quarantined state shall be subject to all disinfection and sanitation techniques required by the Commissioner of Agriculture which he deems necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.(e) Any person who violates this regulation shall be imprisoned not more than six months and fined not more than $ 500.00 or both for each offense, pursuant to 6 V.S.A. Section 1410. Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. In addition, those persons shall be subject to other legal and equitable remedies available to the Commissioner of Agriculture.20-002 Code Vt. R. 20-022-002-X
EFFECTIVE:
3/25/87 (Secretary of State Rule Log # 87-14)