Nebraska Issues Trichomoniasis Import Order

1. Health Requirements for Beef and Dairy Breeding Bulls:
   • All bulls over 24 months of age and all non-virgin bulls less than 24 months of age shall have:
     1. Three consecutive official negative trichomoniasis culture tests at least one week apart; OR one negative PCR test within 30 days prior to importation; AND
     2. Samples submitted for testing shall be collected by an accredited veterinarian and conducted by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD); AND
     3. Not been used for breeding purposes between the tests and the time the bull(s) is imported into Nebraska; AND
   • A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) signed by an accredited veterinarian for bulls covered under this Order shall bear the following statement:

     “The bull(s) represented on this CVI are not from a known positive T. foetus herd and have had three consecutive official negative T. foetus culture tests which were at least a week apart; or one negative PCR test within 30 days prior to importation, and there has been no breeding activity since the first culture test or the PCR test.”

   • All bulls offered for sale at an auction market, imported for breeding purposes, must meet the requirements of this Order prior to being offered for sale.
2. Exceptions to Testing Requirements for Bulls:
   • Virgin bulls aged 24 months of age or less must be accompanied by a CVI containing a signed statement from an accredited veterinarian that the bulls have had no contact with breeding females.
   • Bulls imported into Nebraska for slaughter only or those consigned directly to a licensed slaughter establishment or to a licensed livestock market and then directly to a licensed slaughter establishment.
   • Bulls imported into Nebraska not to be used for breeding purposes, such as bulls imported for exhibitions, rodeos, bull test stations, or feedlots for feeding purposes and then direct to slaughter.
   • Nebraska origin breeding bulls going to another state for seasonal grazing purposes may return to Nebraska without testing if accompanied by a CVI with the following statement, “these breeding bulls have not commingled with any other herd.” The CVI must be issued within 30 days of import into Nebraska.
3. BEEF AND DAIRY BREEDING FEMALES:
   • NO breeding female originating from a known positive T. foetus herd will be allowed to enter Nebraska unless they are consigned directly to slaughter.
   • Breeding females imported into Nebraska must have one or more of the following statements placed on the CVI and signed by an accredited veterinarian of the herd of origin:
     1. “The heifers listed on this CVI are known virgin heifers.”
     2. “Heifers listed on this CVI were exposed for their first breeding only to a known negative T. foetus bull* or artificially inseminated, and are not yet 120 days pregnant.”
     3. “Cows or heifers listed on this CVI are at least 120 days pregnant.”
     4. “The cows listed on this CVI did not originate from a known positive T. foetus herd and have a calf at side.”
     5. “The cows listed on this CVI have had no exposure to other than known negative T. foetus bulls* since parturition.”
   • Breeding females offered for sale at an auction market, imported for breeding purposes, must meet the requirements of this Order prior to being offered for sale.
   • Cows and heifers moving directly to slaughter, or to a feedlot for feeding purposes and then to slaughter, are not subject to the requirements herein.

   *Known negative T. foetus breeding bulls have been tested and found negative for T. foetus by three consecutive official negative T. foetus culture tests which were at least a week apart or one negative PCR test within 30 days prior to importation and there has been no breeding activity since the first qualifying test. Such tests shall be conducted by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The three tests shall be conducted at least one week apart, and there was no breeding activity since the first test.

   This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until notice is given by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Any additional exceptions to this Order will only be by approval of the State Veterinarian upon epidemiological evaluation and risk determination.

   The complete import order can be found on the NDA website at www.agr.ne.gov , under Animal Health.

   [January 8th, 2008]
   

Sharon Clowser, Extension Assistant
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska