20-019 Code Vt. R. 20-022-019-X

Current through August, 2024

Section 20 022 019 - RULES GOVERNING THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS INCLUDING LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY

Section 1. Definitions.

1. Accredited Veterinarian is a veterinarian who is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State Animal Health Official in the state of origin of the imported animal to inspect and test domestic animals and issue Certificates of Veterinary Inspection.

2. Animal or Domestic Animal means cattle, sheep, goats, equines, swine, camelids, domestic cervids, American bison, poultry, psittacine birds, ferrets, ratites (ostriches, rheas and emus), and water buffalo.

3. Approved Laboratory is a laboratory recognized by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct official diagnostic testing.

4. Approved Livestock Market is a livestock market that is recognized by USDA and that has a current market agreement with it.

5. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is a document issued by an Accredited Veterinarian in which the Accredited Veterinarian certifies that:

a. all statements required by these rules concerning the importation of domestic animals are true,

b. all animals referenced on the document have been inspected and officially identified, and

c. all tests required by these rules have been performed.

6. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Affected State is a state or Canadian province that has had a positive diagnosis of CWD in a captive cervid. A state or province may be considered no longer affected if the Secretary has determined that it has taken appropriate actions to control or eradicate CWD and/or it has instituted a mandatory CWD monitoring/certification program for all captive cervid herds and has not diagnosed a case of CWD for a minimum of 5 years.

7. CWD Endemic State is a state or Canadian province that has had a positive diagnosis of CWD in free-ranging cervids. A state or province may be considered no longer endemic if the Secretary has determined appropriate actions were taken to determine disease prevalence and has not diagnosed a case of CWD for a minimum of 5 years.

8. CWD monitored/certified herd is a herd which has successfully enrolled and advanced in an officially recognized-state/provincial approved program requiring identification, records, inspection and testing of cervids for CWD.

9. Contagious Disease is any disease found in domestic animals which is capable of spreading from one domestic animal to another or to wild animals with or without actual contact, including reportable diseases as defined in 6 V.S.A. Section 1151(13).

10. Herd of Origin is a group of animals under common ownership or supervision in which the animal was born or spent the past 90 days prior to importation. Herd of Origin does not include a temporary assembly of animals for sale or shipment.

11. Immediate Slaughter means slaughter of livestock within 7 days from time of entry into Vermont and without diversion from slaughter channels or comingling with animals outside of those channels.

12. Import is any act of transporting domestic animals into Vermont from any state or country. The term "import" does not apply to domestic animals residing in Vermont that temporarily leave the state for not more than 30 days, return to the premises of origin, and have met the health requirements of the state(s) of destination in the interim.

13. Importer is any person transporting their own domestic animals into Vermont or a purchaser or consignee to whose premises or to whose custody domestic animals are first delivered after entry into Vermont.

14. Import Permit is a permit issued by the Secretary authorizing a person to import domestic animals into Vermont. See section II.C of these rules.

15. Livestock are domesticated animals normally considered farm animals which are generally used as a food source, including cattle, equine, goats, sheep, swine, camelids, fallow deer, red deer, elk, reindeer, and American bison.

16. Livestock Dealer is a person who is licensed and bonded in accordance with 6 V.S.A. § 762 and 764 to buy, sell, lease, or transport livestock, or to operate a livestock auction or sales ring.

17. National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is a national poultry management, sanitation and monitoring program as described in 9 CFR Part 145.

18. Official Identification is a set of unique identifying characters applied to an animal that complies with USDA's Animal Disease Traceability rule, 9 CFR Part 86, including any future amendments to the rule. Species not covered by 9 CFR Part 86 may be identified by electronic implantable device (EID or "microchip") or visual identification methods approved by the Secretary.

19. Official Test or Official Diagnostic Test is a diagnostic test that is approved and recommended by USDA or Secretary for determining the presence or absence of a disease and that is conducted and reported by an Official Tester.

20. Official Tester is a person who conducts or reports Official Tests within an Approved Laboratory or a person authorized by USDA to conduct and report Official Diagnostic Tests outside of the laboratory environment.

21. Person is an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or organization of persons whether incorporated or not, including any municipality, state, or federal agency, or subdivision of any state.

22. Post-entry Test and Examination means the testing and examining of imported domestic animals deemed necessary by the Secretary.

23. Poultry means domesticated birds of all ages which may be used as human food, and/or which produce eggs that may be used as human food. Poultry includes chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks, geese, pheasants, Chucker partridge and Coturnix quail. Poultry includes these species even when used for exhibition, hobby, or as pets.

24. Premises of Destination is the first premises within the Vermont on which imported domestic animals are confined.

25. Premises of Origin is the place of birth or last housing of the animal for at least 90 days prior to its importation.

26. Secretary means the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (the Agency) or their designated representative, including the State Veterinarian and Animal Health Specialists.

27. Slaughter Channels means movement of animals only within Approved Livestock Markets and/or to commercial slaughter facility, as defined by 6 V.S.A. § 1459, without diversion to or interim stops in established breeding, feeding or commercial production herds.

28. Slaughter Livestock is livestock originating in any state or country specifically designated to a licensed slaughter establishment for immediate slaughter or to an Approved Livestock Market authorized to handle out-of-state livestock.

29. Test Eligible means that the animal has attained the specified age to require testing as set forth in these rules.

a. Brucellosis test eligible cattle/bison means all unvaccinated cattle/bison over 6 months of age (180 days) and all official vaccinates over 18 months of age (540 days), or as defined by current Uniform Methods and Rules.

30. Uniform Methods and Rules are the procedures published by USDA APHIS for the eradication of specific diseases under federal/state cooperative eradication programs. Uniform Methods and Rules also refers to future updates to these procedures which may be given a different name by USDA APHIS.

Section 2. General Information.

A. Requirements

a. In order to import or cause a domestic animal to be imported into Vermont, a person must ensure that the requirements of these rules are met. All tests and documentation required by 6 V.S.A. Chapter 107 and these rules, including a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, import permit, or an Owner-Shipper Statement, are the responsibility of the importer.

b. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and import permit are not required for livestock imported into Vermont for immediate slaughter as prescribed by section II.E of these rules.

c. Before importing or causing to import a domestic animal from a federal quarantine, region of enhanced surveillance, or movement restriction order, a person must first obtain written permission from the Secretary.

d. A person shall not import or cause to be imported into Vermont a domestic animal that is affected with or has been exposed to any contagious disease.

e. All tests required for import purposes must be Official Diagnostic Tests completed in the state of origin.

i. During periods of heightened disease risk, the Secretary may alter the testing, timing, and restrictions associated with importation of livestock and poultry.

f. If the Secretary has reason to believe that a domestic animal may have been imported into Vermont in violation of these rules, the Secretary may issue a quarantine for the domestic animal, its products, and conveyances. The quarantine is in place until the Secretary releases the quarantine in writing.

If the Secretary determines that a domestic animal has been imported into Vermont in violation of these rules, the Secretary may require that the domestic animal be:

i. returned to the state of origin within 48 hours,

ii. slaughtered or euthanized within 72 hours, or

iii. tested, identified and/or inspected.

The importer shall pay any expense incurred under this subsection and shall not be entitled to any compensation from the state.

B. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

a. A Certificate of Veterinary must include:

i. the name and address of the consignor and the consignee;

ii. the physical address of the premises of origin and the premises of destination;

iii. the Official Identification and a listing of breed, sex, age, and any other information pertinent to each animal's identity;

iv. the dates and results of all tests conducted as required by section III of these rules;

v. the date of examination which must be within 30 days of the import date;

vi. unique identifying number for the certificate itself;

vii. the import permit number when required by these rules;

viii. the signature and accreditation number of the accredited veterinarian;

ix. a certification by the accredited veterinarian that all statements made, tests conducted, and identities established for each domestic animal to be imported; and

x. when requested by the accredited veterinarian, the signature of the owner certifying that, at the time of issue, the domestic animals readied for import are in fact the animals for which the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection has been issued.

b. The accredited veterinarian must ensure that an official copy of each Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is submitted to the state animal health official of the state of origin, as prescribed by 9 CFR Part 86.5.

c. For each animal, the importer is required to:

i. have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection completed by an accredited and licensed veterinarian of the state or country of origin within 30 days immediately prior to entry into the state or as otherwise provided by these rules; and

ii. ensure an official copy of each Certificate of Veterinary Inspection accompanies the animal during shipment and transportation.

d. The Secretary may disapprove a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that does not meet the requirements of these rules.

e. Animals accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that has been disapproved may be considered illegal imports and may be subject to quarantine or to actions pursuant to section II.A.f of these rules.

C. Import Permit

a. If an import permit is required by section III of these rules, the importer shall ensure that an import permit is obtained by the accredited veterinarian issuing the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

b. To apply for an import permit, the veterinarian shall provide to the Secretary:

i. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection with a unique identifying number completed within 30 days of proposed movement. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must contain all information required in section II.B.

ii. The expected date of importation.

iii. All species testing specifically required in section III of these rules.

c. An import permit is not required for livestock imported into Vermont from Canada that have passed USDA veterinary inspection and have been properly released for entry into the United States, except that an import permit is required for cervids imported into Vermont from Canada for any reason, including for immediate slaughter.

d. The Secretary may require an import permit for any domestic animal not otherwise provided for under section III of these rules from any area that the Secretary has determined may represent a threat for the introduction of a contagious animal disease.

D. Owner-Shipper Statement

a. In order to import or cause to be imported into Vermont any livestock consigned for immediate slaughter, a person must have in their possession an Owner-Shipper Statement certifying that the identified animals are being transported for purposes stipulated in accordance with 9 CFR Part 86.

b. The Owner-Shipper Statement must include:

i. the name and address of the consignor and the consignee,

ii. the physical address of the premises of origin and the premises of destination,

iii. the date of entry into Vermont and a statement that all livestock are consigned for immediate slaughter,

iv. a listing of Official Identification as defined in section I.20, and

v. the signature of shipper certifying that the livestock is/are imported for immediate slaughter.

E. Slaughter Livestock

a. Slaughter livestock imported into Vermont must be accompanied by an Owner-Shipper Statement in accordance with section II.D.

b. Because slaughter livestock are not required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, an import permit, or required specific tests as specified in section III, they may not be comingled with animals outside of slaughter channels. Therefore, slaughter livestock must be moved directly without interim stops to an Approved Livestock Market or approved slaughter establishment.

i. Slaughter livestock shall not be removed from the slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

c. Slaughter livestock moved to an Approved Livestock Market:

i. must be individually identified as defined by these rules.

ii. may then be sold only to an approved slaughter establishment, and after sale shall be moved immediately and directly without interim stops from the Approved Livestock Market to the slaughtering establishment.

F. Exhibition Animals

a. An exhibition is a recognized/organized spectator event in which a domestic animal is exhibited or entered in a competition and may receive awards or prizes.

b. In order to temporarily import livestock, except cervids, for exhibition on an extended Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, a person must obtain an exhibition permit in accordance with the procedure adopted by the Secretary. All tests must be current at the time of exhibition as required under section III of these rules. Livestock must originate from a state approved by the Secretary. To obtain a copy or learn more about this procedure, please contact the Animal Health Section.

c. If the Secretary determines there is a risk of contagious disease, the Secretary may require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to be issued within 30 days and/or import permit in accordance with section II prior to entry.

G. Variance

a. A variance to these rules must be requested in writing to the Secretary and must be obtained prior to importation.

H. Importation and Possession of Animals for Hunting

a. A person shall not import or possess any live animal for the purpose of taking by hunting, unless the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued the person an importation and possession permit.

I. Penalties

a. A violation of these rules may be subject to penalties under 6 V.S.A. § 1469 and 6 V.S.A. Chapter 1.

Section 3. Testing and Special Requirements for Importing Domestic Animals.

A. CATTLE/BISON

Bison is a domestic animal of the genus Bison also called American bison and "buffalo." Cattle are animals of the genus Bos. Domestic water buffalo must also meet the testing and special requirements for importing cattle set forth in these rules.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Official Identification

ii. Disease Testing

1. Brucellosis:

a. All cattle shall either:

i. originate from a herd of origin in states or Canadian provinces classified "certified free" of brucellosis or an equivalent classification, or

ii. originate from officially recognized certified brucellosis free herds, or

iii. all test-eligible cattle must individually test negative to an Official Test for brucellosis within 30 days immediately prior to entry into the state. All unvaccinated cattle/bison over 6 months of age (180 days) and all official vaccinates over 18 months of age (540 days) shall be considered brucellosis test eligible cattle/bison unless otherwise defined by current federal brucellosis program standards.

b. All bison must have a negative Official Test for brucellosis within 30 days prior to importation. Bison that originate from official certified brucellosis free herd are exempt from the requirement for a brucellosis test. The current brucellosis certified free herd status shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

i. All test-eligible imported bison must be tested for brucellosis between 45 days and 120 days post entry into Vermont. The owner of imported bison is responsible for the cost of testing.

2. Tuberculosis:

a. All cattle or bison shall either:

i. originate from a herd of origin in states or Canadian provinces classified accredited free of tuberculosis or an equivalent classification;

ii. originate from a bovine tuberculosis accredited free herd. The current TB accredited herd status shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

iii. test negative to on an Official Test for tuberculosis within 60 days immediately prior to entry into Vermont, except that the following cattle/bison are exempt from the tuberculosis test requirement.

iii. Calves under fourteen (14) days of age are exempt from the import permit and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection requirements if:

1. The calves:

a. were born in and originate from a state with which the Secretary has an agreement regarding the import of calves under 14 days of age; and

b. have Official Identification prior to movement;

2. The importer:

a. is a Vermont licensed livestock dealer;

b. keeps a separate record of each shipment listing all animals imported, the date of import, the disposition of each animal and the date of disposition;

c. maintains this record for five years or as specified in 9 CFR Part 86.3 and makes it available for inspection by the Secretary upon request.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Official Identification

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Such cattle consigned to an Approved Livestock Market shall be identified by slaughter only ear tags or other means of identification approved for this purpose by the Secretary. Cattle or bison so identified shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

iii. Animals may be imported without official identification provided they are slaughtered within 3 days of import into Vermont and meet the conditions of 9 CFR Part 86.4.

B. SWINE

Swine is an animal of the species Sus scrofa domesticus, commonly referred to as pigs or hogs, including pot-belly pigs. Swine does not include free-living or feral wild boars or wild swine.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Official Identification

ii. Disease Testing

1. Brucellosis:

a. All swine shall either:

i. originate from a herd of origin in states or Canadian provinces classified "certified free" of brucellosis or an equivalent classification: or

ii. originate from a Validated swine brucellosis free or Validated-Qualified herd: or

iii. if 6 months of age or over, or per current federal brucellosis program standards, be blood tested negative to a USDA officially recognized brucellosis test dated within 30 days immediately prior to entry into Vermont.

2. Pseudorabies:

a. All swine imported into the state must either:

i. originate directly from herds of origin in states in Stage V of the swine pseudorabies eradication program;

ii. originate directly from an officially recognized Qualified pseudorabies negative herd and the current pseudorabies qualified herd status shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

iii. test negative to an Official Test for pseudorabies within 30 days immediately prior to entry into Vermont.

b. All swine required to test that are not imported directly from the herd of origin must be quarantined apart from other swine on the importer's premises until retested with an Official Test within 30- 60 days at the importer's expense.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Identification in accordance with 9 CFR Part 71.19

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Such pigs consigned to an Approved Livestock Market shall be identified by slaughter only ear tags or other means of identification approved for this purpose by the Secretary. Pigs so identified shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

C. EQUINE

Equine means any member of the family equidae including horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and zebra.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

ii. Disease Testing

1. Equine Infectious Anemia:

a. All equine imported into Vermont shall test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) within 12 months of entry by a Coggins test or other USDA Official Test for EIA, except for pre-weaned foals under 6 months of age traveling with its dam which has been tested as required under these rules. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall contain the date of the test for EIA, and identify the laboratory performing the test.

iii. Extended Equine CVI:

1. Horses originating from participating states may travel under the authority of an EECVI provided the Coggins is up to date at the time of movement into Vermont and they are accompanied by the required Trip Permit(s).

D. SHEEP

Sheep is an animal of the genus Ovis.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Official Identification

ii. Disease Testing

1. Scrapie:

a. No sheep or lamb known as positive, suspect, high-risk or exposed for scrapie disease or originating from an infected, source or exposed flock shall be imported into Vermont except in accordance with 9 CFR Part 79 and with written permission from the Secretary.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Official Identification

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Such sheep consigned to an Approved Livestock Market shall be identified by slaughter only ear tags or other official means of identification approved for this purpose by the Secretary or in accordance with 9 CFR Part 79 . Sheep so identified shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

E. GOATS

Goat is an animal of the genus Capra.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Official Identification

ii. Disease Testing

1. Brucellosis:

a. All goats shall either:

i. originate from brucellosis certified free states/Canadian provinces; or

ii. originate from a herd which has completed a negative whole herd brucellosis test of animals 6 months of age or older within the previous 12 months and shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

iii. must have a negative test for brucellosis within 30 days prior to importation.

2. Tuberculosis:

a. All goats shall either:

i. Originate from bovine tuberculosis accredited free states/Canadian provinces; or

ii. tuberculosis accredited free herds are exempt from tuberculosis tests; or

iii. test negative for tuberculosis within 60 days prior to importation.

3. Scrapie:

a. No goat known as positive, suspect, high-risk or exposed for scrapie disease or originating from an infected, source or exposed herd shall be imported into Vermont except in accordance with 9 CFR Part 79 and with written permission from the Secretary.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Official Identification

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Such goats consigned to an Approved Livestock Market shall be identified by slaughter only ear tags or other official means of identification approved for this purpose by the Secretary or in accordance with 9 CFR Part 79 . Goats so identified shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

F. CAMELIDS

Camelid is an animal of the family Camelidae including alpacas, camels, guanacos, llamas, and vicunas.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Official Identification.

ii. Disease Testing

1. Brucellosis:

a. All camelids imported into Vermont shall either:

i. originate from a herd of origin in states or Canadian provinces classified certified free of brucellosis or equivalent;

ii. originate from a herd which has completed a negative whole herd brucellosis test of animals 6 months of age or older within the previous 12 months and shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

iii. test negative on an Official Test for brucellosis dated within 30 days prior to the date of entry into Vermont if 6 months of age or older.

2. Tuberculosis:

a. All camelids imported into Vermont shall either:

i. originate from a herd of origin in a state or Canadian province classified tuberculosis accredited free or equivalent;

ii. originate from a herd which has completed a negative whole herd TB test of animals 1 year of age or older within the previous 12 months and shall be indicated on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; or

iii. test negative to an Official Test for tuberculosis dated within 60 days prior to the date of entry into the state if 6 months of age or older.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Official Identification

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Camelids imported for immediate slaughter shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

G. CERVIDS

Cervid means any domestic and non-native member of the family Cervidae including red deer, fallow deer, elk, and reindeer. For purposes of this rule, white-tailed deer and moose are not considered cervids.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection,

2. import permit, and

3. Two forms of Official Identification, including an RFID (or equivalent) device

ii. Facility Requirements

1. Prior to the issuance of an import permit, the importer shall construct and maintain suitable facilities at the premises of destination for restraining and testing cervids in accordance with Vermont Rules Governing Captive Cervidae establishing facility, fencing and transportation requirements.

iii. Disease Testing

1. Brucellosis:

a. All cervids imported into Vermont shall either:

i. originate from an officially recognized brucellosis certified free cervid herd and the current status shall be indicated on the certificate of veterinary inspection; or

ii. test negative to a USDA officially recognized test for brucellosis dated within 30 days prior to the date of entry for all cervids 6 months of age or older.

2. Tuberculosis:

a. All cervids imported into Vermont shall either:

i. originate from accredited free cervid herds accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating the herd status; or

ii. originate from qualified or monitored cervid herds accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating the herd status and have been classified negative to Official Test for tuberculosis that was conducted within 90 days prior to the date of movement; or

iii. have two negative Official Tests for tuberculosis that were conducted no less than 90 days apart, with the second test conducted within 90 days prior to the date of movement, and that the animals were isolated from all other members of the herd during the testing period.

iv. Exceptions:

1. Cervids less than 12 months of age, that originate from and were born in qualified or monitored herds may enter Vermont without further tuberculosis testing, provided they are accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating that such cervids originated from such herds and have not been exposed to cervids from a lower status herd.

2. Institutions that have been accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) are exempt from those requirements when movement is between accredited member facilities. All other movement from AAZPA-accredited members must comply with these movement requirements.

3. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):

a. CWD susceptible cervids shall not be imported into Vermont for any reason from a CWD Endemic state or province.

b. CWD susceptible cervids may only be imported into Vermont from a CWD Affected state or province if:

i. the Secretary determines the herd or state of origin has completed sufficient CWD monitoring and surveillance and is of negligible risk; and

ii. documentation of this determination by the Secretary has been submitted in writing.

c. CWD susceptible cervids shall not be imported into Vermont unless the herd of origin is a CWD monitored herd that has participated in a USDA CWD program or a comparable state certified program for a minimum of 5 years, or as recommended by current program standards, and has been determined by the Secretary to be of negligible risk.

iv. All cervids imported into Vermont shall be imported directly from the herd of origin they were born into.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter (slaughter livestock):

i. Documentation

1. Official Identification

2. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

ii. Slaughter livestock must remain in the slaughter channels as defined in these rules. Cervids imported for immediate slaughter shall not be allowed to leave slaughter channels except as permitted by the Secretary.

H. POULTRY

Poultry means domestic birds of all ages which may be used as human food, and/or which produce eggs that may be used as human food. Poultry includes chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks, geese, pheasants, Chucker partridge, Coturnix quail, and other Galliformes. Poultry includes these species even when used for exhibition, hobby, or as pets.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or a National Poultry Improvement Plan VS Form 9-3 dated within 30 days prior to the date of importation.

ii. Disease Testing

1. Pullorum-Typhoid:

a. All poultry, except waterfowl, 5 months or more of age must originate from a Pullorum-Typhoid clean flock or test negative to an agglutination test for Pullorum-Typhoid disease within 30 days immediately prior to the date of entry into Vermont.

b. All poultry less than 5 months of age and all hatching eggs imported into Vermont must originate from a hatchery or other premises that is under the supervision of the poultry disease control officials of the state of origin, and that has a Pullorum-Typhoid classification of clean or better.

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D).

I. RATITES

Ratites mean domestic large flightless birds including ostriches, rheas and emus.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes other than immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or a National Poultry Improvement Plan VS 9-3 dated within 30 days prior to the date of importation

b. Importation requirements for immediate slaughter:

i. Documentation

1. Owner Shipper Statement (section II.D)

J. PSITTACINE BIRDS

Psittacine Birds means domestic birds commonly sold in the pet trade for household pets that are susceptible to psittacosis including Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, and Columbiformes.

Galliformes are considered Poultry under these rules even if sold as pets.

a. Importation requirements for all purposes:

i. Documentation

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection dated within 15 days prior to the date of importation,

2. Official Identification

ii. All psittacine birds imported into Vermont shall be identified by a metal band, implant or other approved identification which identifies the breeder. Psittacine birds originating from outside the United States must be identified in accordance with federal requirements for international imports.

iii. All imported psittacine birds shall be inspected and found to be free of infectious, contagious, and communicable diseases within 15 days immediately prior to the date of entry into Vermont.

iv. All imported psittacine birds may be quarantined for 15 days immediately after entry into Vermont and may be subject to post-entry test and examination.

v. All importers of psittacine birds shall keep records that indicate the origin and date of shipment, the name and address of the consignor, the number of birds shipped, and the name and address of the persons to whom the imported birds are sold.

K. NON-DOMESTIC SPECIES

a. The Agency does not have jurisdiction over wildlife, fish, and non-domestic species. The Importer should contact the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 is a federal law that helps ensure the sustainability of populations of protected migratory bird species by prohibiting their take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport) without prior authorization from the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also manages migratory game bird species under a separate set of migratory game bird regulations. These regulations apply to some species in the following families: Anatidae (wild ducks, geese, and brant), Rallidae (rails, coots, moorhens and gallinules), and Scolopacidae (woodcock and snipe). Except as expressly provided in the regulations, it is unlawful to hunt, capture, kill, take, possess transport, buy or sell any migratory game bird or part thereof.

20-019 Code Vt. R. 20-022-019-X

EFFECTIVE DATE:
September 6, 1996 Secretary of State Rule Log #96-52
AMENDED:
December 8, 1998 Secretary of State Rule Log #98-74; 7/3/2024 Secretary of State Rule Log #24-023

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

6 V.S.A. §§ 1460, 1475, 1153, 3071