WI State Veterinarian News Vol. 2, No. 1 February 2009
In this issue With the recent extensive changes to the animal health rules in Wisconsin, we're dedicating this entire edition to those changes. (Ed. Note - only rules that pertain to aquaculture, or may pertain to aquaculture are listed here) New rules and fees take effect in 2009 We've recently completed a comprehensive revision of our animal health rules. Those of you involved with aquaculture and deer farms may want to pay particular attention, because we have extensive changes to the requirements for those operations. As always, please feel free to call us at 608-224-4872 or email animals@wi.gov for more information.
Fees Some existing fees will increase July 1, related to farm-raised deer, National Poultry Improvement Program flock enrollment, and animal truckers, dealers and marketers. Last September, aquaculture fees increased. These increases more accurately reflect the actual costs of operating these programs. For more detail about our fees, call 608-224-4872 or email animals@wi.gov. The rules summarized below are effective as of Jan. 1, 2009: Fish farms ª We've added a third type of registration for fish farms that receive fish and eggs from wild sources and sell fish and eggs. ª One premises can be registered as two separate fish farms -- provided they are medically separated. ª We have expanded health certificate and testing requirements for species susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, and reporting requirements for all VHS test results -- whether positive or negative.
ª More detail on changes to fish farm rules
Premises registration You now have to renew your registration only every three years. ª More details on changes to premises registration rules
Miscellaneous changes ª The rule explicitly states that animals must be handled humanely by truckers, dealers and markets. ª The rule prohibits selling, moving or disposing of a live animal that has been tested for a reportable disease before the test results are known. ª DATCP can now issue temporary holding orders or destruction orders for animals that are illegally moved within the state, in addition to those illegally imported. ª More details on miscellaneous changes
|