§ 47-4-60 — Certificate of veterinary inspection; requirement for out-of-state livestock or poultry; quarantine of uncertified animals; exceptions.

(A) Livestock or poultry entering this State must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection, unless otherwise indicated in this section. (B) The certificate of veterinary inspection must include: (1) complete names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the consignee and consignor; (2) complete description including age, sex, breed, and premise of origin; (3) permanent identification including, but not limited to, tag, tattoo, brand, leg band, registration name, or number; (4) statement that the livestock or poultry has been examined and is free from the symptoms of an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease or exposure to it; (5) results of specific tests or requirements indicated in law or regulation; (6) signature of the certifying accredited veterinarian; (7) approval by the livestock-poultry health authority of the state of origin. (C) A certificate is valid for thirty days after the date of the inspection. A copy of the approved certificate, before departure of the consignment, must be forwarded to the commission. (D) The commission may prescribe additional tests and requirements necessary to ensure the continued health and well-being of the livestock-poultry industry of the State. (E) Livestock and poultry entering the State without a prior certificate or not otherwise authorized must be held in quarantine at the nearest suitable location while necessary tests or inspections, or both, are conducted. Alternatively, livestock and poultry loaded aboard their transporting vehicle may be allowed to return to its point of origin, with notification to the appropriate state veterinarian. Persons providing goods, services, premises, or tests for the quarantined livestock or poultry have a first lien upon the livestock or poultry for the reasonable value of the goods, services, premises, or tests. (F) The commission may promulgate regulations for the issuance of health permits. (G) Certificates are not required for animals consigned directly to slaughter establishments under appropriate provisions of federal law if an accredited veterinary inspector makes ante- and post-mortem examinations in accordance with the regulations of the service. (H) The Director of the Division of Livestock-Poultry Health may authorize equine interstate event permits that must include a certificate of veterinary inspection, animal identification, and a current negative Coggins test.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, SECTION 1, eff May 3, 1994; 1995 Act No. 22, SECTION 4, eff April 4, 1995; 2004 Act No. 302, SECTION 1, eff September 8, 2004.