To the equine community at large::
I am taking this opportunity to help the Idaho Department of Agriculture,
bureau of Animal Health by passing on the latest regulations for the state
of Idaho concerning health certificates and the requirements for Coggins
tests to lower the risk of EIA in this state. Your assistance in spreading
the word will be greatly appreciated.
THE TEXT OF THE STATE'S ANNOUNCEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:
The IDAHO Division of Animal Industries is implementing rule
changes that will help protect the health of Idaho equine, while
at the same time making movement easier throughout the western U.S.
The rule changes will cover Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins)
testing of equine imported into Idaho and an extended validity
equine certificate.
The institution of an EIA test requirement on imports is a result
of the 26 EIA positive horses identified in the state over the past
year. By testing imported equine we will be able to reduce the
risk of Idaho horses becoming infected by out-of-state sources.
In response to the equine industry, we are also implementing an
extended validity equine certificate which allows equine to move
between cooperating states for a period of up to six months on a
single veterinary inspection. The extended certificate shall be
valid for no longer than six months from the date of the last EIA
sample collection.
The extended certificates will be completed by a veterinarian using
official forms available from the Division of Animal Industries.
Directions for filling out the form will be on the outer cover of
the forms booklet.
The new rules go into effect July 1, 1996. At this time we will
also begin accepting extended validity equine certificates from
states approved by the Bureau of Animal Health. Currently approved
states are Washington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, and California.
These will be temporary rules until next years legislature
evaluates and approves them, whereby they will become permanent
rules. Upon publication of the temporary rule, there will be an
official comment period, during which comments may be made on the
rule. Comments received during the comment period may be
incorporated into the final rule.
If you have questions or comments concerning these new rules,
please don't hesitate to contact us. A copy of the rule is
available on request.
Contact Wm. P. Kearley, D.V.M.
2270 Old Penitentiary Road
P.O. Box 7249
Boise, ID 83707
Phone 208-332-8540