Tuberculosis Accreditation Herd Program for Cervidae

Accredited herd – An accredited herd is one which has passed at least 2 consecutive TB tests at 12 (9-15) month intervals, no other evidence of tuberculosis has been disclosed and meets the standards of the Uniform Methods and Rules.

1. Reaccreditation (maintain accreditation) – Each time the herd is tested for reaccreditation, it must be tested 33-39 months from the anniversary date of the accrediting test, not from the last date of reaccreditation.
2. Animals to be tested – All cervidae 12 months and older. Any under 12 months old which are not natural additions to the herd, except those under 12 months of age which were born in and originating from an accredited herd need not be tested.
3. Additions to herd from (must originate directly from one of the following with no exposure to cervids of lesser status) –
1. Accredited herd
2. Qualified or Monitored herd – Negative test within 90 days prior to entry Keep in isolation and retested negative at least 90 days after entry date
   If neither 1 nor 2 –
1. Isolation from herd of origin with 2 negative tests 90 days apart, the last test within 90 days of movement into destination herd;
2. Keep in isolation and retest negative at least 90 days after entry date.

Qualified herd – A qualified herd is one which has passed one negative herd test within the last 12 months.

1. Animals to be tested – All cervidae 12 months and older. Any under 12 months old that are not natural additions to the herd, except those under 12 months of age that were born in and originating from an accredited herd need not be tested.
2. Additions to herd from (must originate directly from one of the following with no exposure to cervids of lesser status) –
1. Accredited herd
2. Qualified or Monitored herd – Negative test within 90 days prior to entry
   If neither 1 nor 2 –
1. Isolation from herd of origin with 2 negative tests 90 days apart, the last test within 90 days of movement into destination herd;
2. Keep in isolation and retest negative at least 90 days after entry date.

Monitored herd – Annual report that includes the number of animals identified and slaughtered at an approved slaughter facility, or tested for interstate movement during the preceding year.

1. Animals to be tested – Animal identification records must be maintained on animals one year and older that are slaughtered and inspected for TB at an approved facility. Qualifying animals may include those tested for interstate movement. Sufficient numbers of animals one year and older must be monitored at slaughter or tested for movement to detect infection at 2% prevalence level with 95% confidence, evenly distributed over a three-year period
2. Additions to herd from (must originate directly from one of the following with no exposure to cervids of lesser status) –
1. Accredited herd
2. Qualified or Monitored herd – Negative test within 90 days prior to entry
   If neither 1 nor 2 –
1. Isolation from herd of origin with 2 negative tests 90 days apart, the last test within 90 days of movement into destination herd;
2. Keep in isolation and retest negetative at least 90 days after entry date.

For futher information, contact the United States Department of Agriculture at (573) 636-3116.