32.4.601    IMPORTATION OF ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK

(1) Alternative livestock imported into Montana must meet all requirements of ARM Title 32, chapter 3, subchapter 2; Title 81, chapter 2, part 7, MCA; and any other orders issued by the department.

(2) All cervid species will be treated with an appropriate anthelmintic as determined by the state veterinarian at least 20 days prior to entry into Montana to reduce the potential of undesirable parasites.

(3) Animals must be consigned to an alternative livestock farm licensee. The alternative livestock farm licensee must have a valid license for the species being imported.

(4) Alternative livestock shall be accompanied by an official health certificate and a permit, which must be attached to the waybill or be in the possession of the driver of the vehicle or person in charge of the animals. When a single health certificate or permit is issued for animals being moved in more than one vehicle, the driver of each vehicle must possess a copy of the health certificate or permit.

(a) The official health certificate must meet all of the requirements of ARM 32.3.206 and the accredited veterinarian issuing the health certificate must certify that the following conditions are true:

(i) All elk in the shipment have been certified free from red deer gene markers as required by ARM 32.4.402. No elk-red deer hybrid may be imported. Certification must be provided to the department prior to the issuance of an import permit;

(ii) The accredited veterinarian issuing the health certificate shall assess the herd of origin and determine if the alternative livestock have been infected by or exposed to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Johnes disease). A statement summarizing the findings shall be included on the health certificate. No animal exposed to or infected with M. paratuberculosis may be imported;

(iii) The herd of origin must be certified as free of central nervous system (CNS) symptoms for the last five years; and

(iv) Animals must meet all other importation requirements made by the state veterinarian under ARM Title 32, chapter 3, subchapter 2;

(b) The importation permit must meet all of the requirements of ARM 32.3.207.

(5) For change of ownership, a valid bill of sale must accompany the shipment. A copy of the bill of sale must be provided to the department at the time the animal is tagged and marked.

(6) Prior to shipment, all alternative livestock with the exclusion of omnivores and carnivores must be marked with a USDA official eartag or its Canadian equivalent called an H of A tag.

(7) All alternative livestock must be quarantined upon arrival in Montana until all testing requirements have been met and the animal is tagged and marked.

(8) No person consigning, transporting, or receiving alternative livestock into Montana may authorize, order, or carry out diversion of such animals to a destination or consignee other than set forth on the health certificate or permit without first obtaining written authorization from the state veterinarian of Montana or his designee to make such a diversion.

(9) Importation of gametes shall meet all requirements outlined in ARM 32.4.403.

(10) Importation of alternative livestock semen must meet the applicable requirements of ARM 32.3.220.

 

History: 81-2-102, 81-2-103, 81-2-707, 87-4-422, MCA; IMP, 81-2-102, 81-2-103, 81-2-402, 81-2-703, 81-2-707, 81-3-102, 87-4-414, 87-4-422, MCA; NEW, 1999 MAR p. 136, Eff. 1/15/99; AMD, 2010 MAR p. 2974, Eff. 12/24/10; AMD, 2013 MAR p. 414, Eff. 3/29/13; AMD, 2016 MAR p. 889, Eff. 5/21/16; AMD, 2018 MAR p. 1960, Eff. 10/6/18; AMD, 2019 MAR p. 2380, Eff. 12/28/19.