Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187
AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF LIVESTOCK.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 22-278 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[For the purposes of this chapter "livestock" is defined as any camelid
or hooved animal raised for domestic or commercial use. The
Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized, subject to sections 4-168 to
4-174, inclusive, to make orders and regulations concerning the
importation, transportation, trailing, riding, driving, exhibiting,
examining, testing, identification, quarantining or disposing of livestock
to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases among
livestock and to protect the public from such diseases as may be
transmissible to human beings, either directly or through the products
of such animals, and orders and regulations for the conservation of
livestock the products from which are used for food or clothing. The
commissioner shall give notice of any such order to any person named
therein by leaving a copy of such order with, or at the last-known place
of abode of, such person, if a resident of the state; if not a resident of the
state, by leaving a copy with, or at the last-known place of abode of, an
agent of such person, or the person having custody of the animals
described in such order, if within the state, or by forwarding a copy of Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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such order by registered or certified mail addressed to the last-known
address of the person named therein. The commissioner, in case of
emergency, may give notice of any regulation limiting or prohibiting the
importation, transportation, trailing, riding, driving, exhibiting or
disposing of livestock on any highway by publishing a copy of such
regulation in a newspaper published or having a substantial circulation
in the town in which the highway affected by such regulation may be
located. The commissioner shall give notice of any such order or
regulation to any common carrier named therein or affected thereby by
leaving a copy of such order or regulation with the president, secretary
or treasurer of the company acting as common carrier, or by leaving a
copy with any person or firm acting as a common carrier, or at the last-
known residence of any such person or a member of such firm in charge
of any office of such carrier. The commissioner is authorized to employ
assistants needed to enforce any such order or regulation. Any person
or any officer or agent of any corporation who violates any provision of
any such order or regulation, or who obstructs or attempts to obstruct
the commissioner or any assistant engaged in the discharge of any duty
hereunder, may be fined not more than one hundred dollars or may be
assessed an administrative civil penalty in accordance with section 22-
7.] For the purposes of this chapter and sections 15 to 20, inclusive, of
this act:
(1) "Accredited veterinarian" means a veterinarian who is approved
under Category II of the National Veterinary Accreditation Program by
the United States Department of Agriculture and by the state animal
health official of the state in which such veterinarian is licensed to
practice;
(2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture or the
commissioner's designated agent including the State Veterinarian;
(3) "Certificate of veterinary inspection" or "health certificate" means
an official document on a form approved by the state animal health Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 3 of 30
official in the state of origin or by the United States Department of
Agriculture that is used for verification of veterinary inspection and is
issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian at the point of origin
for a shipment of livestock;
(4) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture;
(5) "Livestock" means any camelid or hooved animal raised for
domestic or commercial use, generally used to produce food or fiber and
considered to be farm animals;
(6) "Notifiable disease" means a disease of livestock or poultry
published in the United States Department of Agriculture's National
List of Reportable Animal Diseases;
(7) "Official identification" means a numbering system approved by
the United States Department of Agriculture and the State Veterinarian
for the official identification of individual animals that provides a
nationally unique identification number for each animal and prescribes
the animal identification methods and devices approved for use in each
species of livestock and that is affixed to each animal by tag or other
United States Department of Agriculture approved method;
(8) "Owner-shipper statement" means a document that meets the
requirements of 9 CFR 86.1, and that is signed by the owner or shipper
of the livestock and contains a statement certifying that the animals are
being transported for purposes stipulated on such form in accordance
with Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations;
(9) "Poultry" has the same meaning as provided in section 22-324; and
(10) "USDA" means the United States Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 2. Section 22-279 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 4 of 30
(a) The [Commissioner of Agriculture or his deputy or authorized
agents] commissioner may quarantine all animals that [they have] the
commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe (1) are infected with a
communicable disease, (2) do not meet import, export or disease testing
requirements of the department, or (3) are kept under unsanitary
conditions [which] that, in the opinion of the commissioner, [or his
deputy or authorized agents,] endanger the public health or the health
of such animals. The quarantine may (A) prohibit or regulate the sale or
movement of such quarantined animals, including any mortalities, and
all the products of such quarantined animals, and (B) require that such
animals, including any mortalities, and the products of such animals be
confined in a place designated by the commissioner [or his deputy or
authorized agents,] for such time as the commissioner judges necessary.
[(b) Any person who violates any provision of any quarantine
imposed under this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each
day during which such violation continues, up to a maximum fine of
twenty-five thousand dollars.]
(b) (1) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54, and make orders concerning the
importation, transportation, trailing, riding, driving, exhibiting,
examining, testing, identification, quarantining or disposing of livestock
to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases among
livestock and to protect the public from such diseases as may be
transmissible to human beings, either directly or through the products
of such animals. Such orders and regulations may provide for the
conservation of livestock that is produced for use as food or clothing.
(2) The commissioner shall give notice of any such order to any
person named therein by leaving a copy of such order with, or at the
last-known place of abode of, such person, if a resident of the state. If
such person is not a resident of the state, such notice shall be provided
by leaving a copy of such order with, or at the last-known place of abode Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 5 of 30
of, an agent of such person, or the person that has custody of the animals
described in such order, if such person or agent is located in the state. If
such agent or person that has custody of such animals is not located in
the state, the commissioner shall cause a copy of such order to be sent
by registered or certified mail to the last-known address of the person
named in such order or, alternatively, by electronic notice if previously
consented to by the person named in such order.
(3) The commissioner, in the instance of an emergency, as determined
by the commissioner, may give notice of any order limiting or
prohibiting the importation, transportation, trailing, riding, driving,
exhibiting or disposing of livestock on any highway by publishing a
copy of such order in a newspaper that is published or that has a
substantial circulation in the town in which the highway affected by
such order is located.
(4) The commissioner shall give notice of any such order or regulation
to any common carrier named in such order or affected by such order
or regulation by leaving a copy of such order or regulation: (A) With the
president, secretary or treasurer of the company that acts as such
common carrier, (B) any person or firm acting as a common carrier, (C)
at the last-known residence of any such person or a member of such firm
in charge of any office of such carrier, or (D) at the electronic mail
address of the common carrier if previously consented to by the
common carrier.
(5) The commissioner may employ assistants needed to enforce any
such orders or regulations.
(6) Any person including, but not limited to, any officer or agent of
any corporation, who violates the provisions of: (A) This section, or (B)
any order or regulation authorized by this section, or who obstructs or
attempts to obstruct the commissioner, or any assistant of the
commissioner, while engaged in the discharge of any duty undertaken Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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pursuant to this section may be fined not more than five hundred
dollars, per day per animal, for each day during which such violation
continues, up to a maximum fine of twenty-five thousand dollars.
Sec. 3. Section 22-279a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Any livestock animal or poultry [being] that is tested for any disease
in accordance with the Uniform Methods and Rules of the United States
Department of Agriculture or for any biological or chemical residue
known to be in this state shall be quarantined on the premises where the
test is made until the test results are available and the test chart is signed
by a licensed accredited veterinarian or an employee of the Department
of Agriculture administering the test, provided the commissioner may
release such livestock animal or poultry from quarantine at any time.
Any blood, tissue or milk sample taken from any livestock animal or
poultry pursuant to this section shall be submitted for analysis to a
laboratory approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The
laboratory shall report the results of the test to the commissioner who
shall notify the person administering the test of such results.
Sec. 4. Section 22-287 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[(a) The Commissioner of Agriculture may cause all neat cattle and
all goats in the state to be tuberculin tested by a licensed accredited
veterinarian at the expense of the state or by a veterinarian employed by
the United States Department of Agriculture or by a veterinarian
employed by the Department of Agriculture. The owner of any such
herd to be so tested shall provide assistance and proper restraint for
confining the animals for and during the application of said tests. When
said commissioner has determined the condition of such animals by
physical examination and tuberculin test performed by said
veterinarians, each animal reacting to such test shall be immediately Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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segregated from the animals not reacting to such test by the owner
thereof and each animal reacting to such test shall be appraised as
provided in section 22-288 and shall be disposed of and the premises
upon which such animal has been kept shall be cleaned and disinfected
within fifteen days thereafter, subject to the approval of the
commissioner or his deputy or any authorized agent of the
commissioner. No animals shall be added to the herd until such
premises have been so cleaned and disinfected and inspected and
approved by the commissioner or his deputy or any authorized agent of
the commissioner. Any animal reacting to such test which has been
disposed of as provided by this section shall be paid for by the
Comptroller, provided funds shall be available for such purposes and
provided the animal reacting to such test and disposed of shall have
been approved by said commissioner as a proper addition to the herd.
(b) Surveillance tests may be performed by a technician trained by
and under the supervision of the State Veterinarian and employed by
the Department of Agriculture, provided no condemnation shall be
made on the basis of such surveillance tests. The owner of any herd to
be so tested shall provide assistance and proper restraint for confining
the animals for and during the application of such tests.]
(a) At the expense of the state, the commissioner may require and
provide for the testing and the control of tuberculosis in livestock in this
state. Any condemnation of livestock infected with tuberculosis shall
comply with the provisions of section 22-288, as amended by this act.
The procedures for testing for tuberculosis and the control and
disposition of livestock classified as reactors shall conform to one of the
following: (1) For goats, cattle, bison and captive cervids, the
procedures, methods, testing and the disposition of reactors shall
conform to the USDA Uniform Methods and Rules for Bovine
Tuberculosis Eradication; (2) for species of livestock other than goats,
cattle, bison or captive cervids, the procedures, methods, testing and the Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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disposition of reactors shall be determined by the State Veterinarian; or
(3) the most recent USDA approved and published procedures for
testing for tuberculosis and the control and disposition of tuberculosis
positive livestock.
(b) The state shall not be liable for any damage incurred or alleged to
have been incurred by any such test performed pursuant to this section.
(c) Official testing for tuberculosis shall be restricted to the State
Veterinarian, veterinarians employed by the federal government and
accredited veterinarians licensed to practice in this state. Surveillance
tests may be performed by an employee of the department trained by
and under the supervision of the State Veterinarian, provided no
condemnation shall be made on the basis of such surveillance tests. The
owner of any herd to be so tested shall provide assistance and proper
restraint for confining the animals for such testing and during the
application of such tests.
Sec. 5. Section 22-288 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The [Commissioner of Agriculture] commissioner may cause any
[domestic animal which has given a positive reaction to the tuberculin
test to be killed,] livestock infected with an infectious or contagious
disease, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis, anthrax or foot and
mouth disease to be euthanized to protect the public health or prevent
the spread of such disease but no such [bovine animal] livestock shall
be [killed] euthanized until its value has been determined by the [owner
and the] commissioner. [If they are unable to agree upon the value of
such animal, each shall choose an arbitrator and the two so chosen shall
choose a third and the three so chosen, or a majority of the three so
chosen, shall determine the value of such animal, and the value so
determined shall be approved by the commissioner.] In determining the
value of condemned livestock, the commissioner shall consider the age, Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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sex, grade and purpose for which such animal was kept. The
commissioner may consult with livestock dealers, commission sales
stables or other sources familiar with the value of livestock in
determining the value of condemned animals. When a certificate has
been filed with the commissioner that such animal has been [killed]
euthanized and the premises disinfected according to the order of the
commissioner, within a period of [fifteen days] time specified by the
commissioner, following the issuance of such order, the amount
determined under [subsection (b) of] this section shall be paid to the
owner by the state. [If a majority of the three arbitrators do not agree,
they shall so find and report and the commissioner shall then determine
the value of such animal or animals, which shall be final; but no] No
animal, the physical condition of which is such that it is of no real value,
and no animal which has been in the state for a period of less than three
months next preceding its quarantine shall be paid for by the state [;
provided such award may be paid in the case of cattle from any herd
which has been officially accredited, or from an officially declared
modified accredited area, or from any herd the entire number of which
has passed two negative tests and such cattle have not, since passing
such tests, been exposed to infection from tuberculosis. The provisions
of this section shall not apply to animals condemned to prevent the
spread of foot and mouth disease or anthrax] unless such animal was a
natural addition to the herd that was born in this state or was imported
into this state in compliance with this chapter.
(b) [The state shall appraise any condemned registered purebred
bovine animal for a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars and any
grade bovine animal for a sum not exceeding eleven hundred dollars.]
The amount paid by the state for any [bovine animal which] livestock
that is condemned pursuant to this section and sold for slaughter, shall
be deposited by the commissioner [in] into the General Fund. The
amount paid by the state to the owner of any such animal shall be
limited to the difference between the fair market value of such animal, Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 10 of 30
established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and the amount of
any indemnity or payment for such animal received by the owner from
the federal government. No compensation shall be paid to the owner of
any such [domestic animal] livestock by the state unless such animal has
been destroyed to prevent the spread of an infectious or contagious
disease or to protect the public health. Any animal [which has reacted
to the tuberculin test] that is condemned shall be [tagged in the left ear
by the person making such test with a numbered metal ear tag, which
tag shall have stamped or impressed thereon the following: "Ct.
Reacted, Number (....)", including the number of such tag. Such tags
shall be furnished by said commissioner and shall be numbered
consecutively beginning with the number one, and such animal shall
also be branded at the time of the test with the letter "T" on the left jaw]
identified with a tag, brand device or marking approved by the
commissioner. No such animal shall be [killed] moved, euthanized, sold
or used for food, except under the direction of [said] the commissioner.
(c) Any person aggrieved by an order of the commissioner to
condemn livestock pursuant to this section may appeal such order to the
superior court for the judicial district of Hartford not later than seven
days after issuance of such order.
Sec. 6. Section 22-288a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
If the [Commissioner of Agriculture] commissioner finds the
presence of tuberculosis or brucellosis recurring in one herd of livestock
within any two-year period, or if [he] the commissioner finds any herd
of [cattle] livestock substantially infected with tuberculosis, [or]
brucellosis or other infectious or contagious disease, [he] the
commissioner may order the condemnation of such herd to prevent the
spread of such disease or to protect the public health and compensation
therefor shall be paid in accordance with section 22-288, as amended by
this act. [Said] Such compensation shall not be paid, nor shall the herd Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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be restocked, until the premises from which such herd was taken have
been cleaned and disinfected, and such premises have been inspected
and approved by the commissioner. [or his deputy or any authorized
agent of the commissioner.] Any person aggrieved by an order of the
commissioner to so condemn a herd may, [within] not later than seven
days after such order, appeal therefrom in accordance with the
provisions of section 4-183.
Sec. 7. Section 22-294 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The owner of any herd of livestock shall house, feed and care for such
herd under such sanitary conditions as shall promote the health and
welfare of such herd. No calf shall be fed milk or any other dairy product
except such milk or other product [as has been] that is produced by a
herd that [has been tuberculin tested] is negative for tuberculosis, or
such milk or other dairy product [as has been] that is pasteurized by
being maintained at a heat of one hundred forty-two degrees Fahrenheit
for a period of thirty minutes.
Sec. 8. Section 22-295 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The owner of any herd of livestock shall keep a record [which shall
include a description] of each [registered or graded] animal in such herd
[and] including the final disposition of such animal that is made by such
owner. [which such owner makes of any animal of such herd.] Each such
animal shall be marked [by a tag or other marking approved by the
Commissioner of Agriculture] with official identification when such
animal leaves the premises and such official identification shall be made
part of such record. Such record shall be kept for the life of the animal
plus one additional year.
Sec. 9. Section 22-296 of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 12 of 30
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
When infection [of tuberculosis] with any disease listed as reportable
or notifiable by the department or the USDA is found in any herd of
[cattle or goats] livestock, the [remaining] animals in such herd shall be
quarantined. [until such herd has passed three successive negative tests,
at least sixty days to elapse between each two tests.] Such quarantine
shall remain in effect until such time as the State Veterinarian
determines the quarantine should be removed. No animals shall be
removed from such herd while under quarantine, except under a
written permit issued to the owner of the herd by the [Commissioner of
Agriculture or his agents] commissioner to move directly from the
quarantined premises to [immediate slaughter] another premises for the
purpose and under the conditions specified in such permit. Such permit
shall accompany such animals from the quarantined premises. [to the
point where slaughter is to be effected.] The owner shall deliver such
permit to any person [purchasing] receiving such animals, and such
person shall exercise all reasonable diligence in determining that such
permit is [received by him and is valid, and that such permit shall
accompany such animals to slaughter] valid.
Sec. 10. Section 22-298 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[(a) The Commissioner of Agriculture may require and provide for
the drawing and collecting of blood samples for the control of
brucellosis from goats over three months of age and herds of bovine
animals, including male bovine animals, six months of age or over, but
not including steers, and may at his discretion decide not to test heifers
which have been officially calfhood vaccinated, until they have calved
or are eighteen months of age. All blood samples shall be submitted to
a laboratory approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture and all milk
samples shall be submitted to a laboratory approved by said
commissioner for examination and the results of such tests shall be Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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reported by the laboratories to the commissioner in a manner prescribed
by him. Upon receipt of the laboratory reports on any such tests, the
commissioner shall inform the owner or agent and the veterinarian of
the result thereof. When the commissioner has determined the condition
of such herd by such tests, all animals reacting positively to any test for
brucellosis shall be identified by branding with a hot iron on the left jaw
and a metal number reactor tag in the left ear as approved by the
commissioner. All such reactors shall be appraised, branded, tagged
and slaughtered within fifteen days and the premises cleaned,
disinfected and approved within thirty days after slaughter in order to
qualify for indemnity under section 22-307. If the reaction of any animal
to a test for brucellosis is suspicious, it may be identified and
quarantined and shall not be disposed of without first obtaining written
permission from the commissioner.
(b) The state shall not be liable for any damage incurred or alleged to
have been incurred by any such test.
(c) No swine or goats used for breeding purposes shall be kept on the
same premises as cattle unless such swine or goats are certified free from
brucellosis. Any positive reactors shall be immediately slaughtered and
the premises cleaned and disinfected.
(d) The drawing of blood samples for brucellosis tests shall be
restricted to the State Veterinarian, veterinarians employed by the
Department of Agriculture, veterinarians employed by the federal
government and veterinarians licensed to practice in this state and
assigned by the commissioner for that purpose.]
(a) The commissioner may require and provide for the drawing and
collecting of samples for testing and the control of brucellosis in
livestock in this state. All blood and milk samples shall be submitted to
a laboratory approved by the commissioner and the results of such tests
shall be reported by the laboratories to the commissioner in a manner Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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prescribed by the commissioner. Upon receipt of the laboratory reports
on any such tests, the commissioner shall inform the owner or agent of
any corporation and the applicable veterinarian of the results. Any
condemnation of livestock infected with brucellosis shall comply with
section 22-288, as amended by this act. The procedures for testing for
brucellosis and the control and disposition of livestock infected with
brucellosis shall conform to one of the following: (1) For cattle and bison,
the procedures, methods, testing and disposition shall conform to the
USDA uniform methods and rules for brucellosis eradication in cattle
and bison; (2) for swine, the procedures, methods, testing and
disposition of shall conform to the USDA uniform methods and rules
for brucellosis eradication in swine; (3) for cervidae, the procedures,
methods, testing and disposition of shall conform to the USDA uniform
methods and rules for brucellosis eradication in cervidae; (4) for species
other than cattle, bison, swine or cervidae, the procedures, methods,
testing and disposition for brucellosis shall be determined by the State
Veterinarian; or (5) the most recent USDA approved and published
brucellosis procedures for testing and the control and disposition of
brucellosis positive livestock.
(b) The state shall not be liable for any damage incurred or alleged to
have been incurred by any such test performed pursuant to this section.
(c) No swine or goats used for breeding purposes shall be kept on the
same premises as cattle unless such swine or goats are certified free from
brucellosis.
(d) The drawing of samples for brucellosis tests shall be restricted to
the State Veterinarian, veterinarians and trained employees of the
department, veterinarians employed by the federal government and
accredited veterinarians licensed to practice in this state.
Sec. 11. Section 22-301 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 15 of 30
No milk may be offered for sale in Connecticut unless produced from
herds complying with sections 22-287, as amended by this act, and 22-
298, as amended by this act. [22-299a, 22-303, 22-304, 22-306 and 22-307
and this section. Before a permit may be issued by the Commissioner of
Agriculture for the sale of milk, information must be available from the
state Department of Agriculture or from the livestock official of the state
where milk is produced that such herd producing milk for sale has
reacted negatively to tests which meet Connecticut specifications for the
control of tuberculosis and brucellosis.] For each new milk producer
registered pursuant to section 22-172 or 22-173a, if such herd or any
animals in such herd does not have a current tuberculosis and
brucellosis negative test result, such herd shall be tested and found
negative to a tuberculosis and brucellosis test prior to the issuance of the
registration to produce milk. Such tuberculosis and brucellosis test may
be conducted by employees of the department. Thereafter, each
registered milk producing herd shall be surveillance tested for
tuberculosis and brucellosis by the department at a frequency to be
determined by the state veterinarian.
Sec. 12. Section 22-303 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Each owner of bovine animals in this state may have all of [his]
such owner's female calves vaccinated for the control of brucellosis at
ages [the commissioner shall establish by regulation] established
pursuant to the uniform methods and rules for brucellosis eradication
of the United States Department of Agriculture. [Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.] Calves may be vaccinated at the owner's
expense by [an approved] a licensed accredited veterinarian. [, an
approved federal or state full-time employed veterinarian assigned
directly and authorized by the Commissioner of Agriculture or by a
livestock inspector employed and authorized by the commissioner.]
(b) The state shall not be liable for any damages incurred or alleged Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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to have been incurred by the use of any vaccine.
(c) No person, firm or corporation, and no agent or employee of any
corporation, shall [have in his possession] possess any brucellosis
vaccine or any product containing any Brucella organisms unless
written permission has been obtained from the commissioner.
(d) No female bovine animal over the maximum vaccination age, as
established by the commissioner in accordance with the uniform
methods and rules for brucellosis eradication of the United States
Department of Agriculture, [Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service,] shall be vaccinated with Brucella Abortus vaccine. Brucellosis
vaccine or any product containing any Brucella organisms shall not be
shipped into the state except upon written permission of the
commissioner.
Sec. 13. Section 22-308 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[All neat cattle and goats brought into this state shall be accompanied
by a permit obtained from the Commissioner of Agriculture. Such
permit shall accompany all waybills or, if the animals are driven over
the highways, shall be in the possession of the person in charge of the
same. The commissioner may refuse to grant a permit to any person, or
any officer or agent of any corporation, who violates any statute or
regulation governing the importation of livestock or poultry. Neat cattle
and goats brought into this state for the purpose of immediate slaughter
upon premises where federal inspection is maintained need not be
accompanied by such permit, provided all such cattle or goats
transported into this state shall be accompanied by a bill of sale or
certificate of assignment, made out by the consignor and showing the
name of the consignee and the destination. The owner of each
establishment where federal inspection is maintained shall report
weekly to the commissioner, upon forms furnished by him, the number Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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of head so imported. Such owner shall also report to said commissioner
the ear tag or identification number and the name of the previous owner
of all animals purchased within the state and delivered to such
establishments.]
(a) All livestock brought into this state shall be accompanied by a
livestock importation permit obtained from the commissioner and a
certificate of veterinary inspection. Such certificate of veterinary
inspection shall include the following: (1) Date of examination, (2)
physical location of origin of such livestock, (3) name and mailing
address of the consignor, (4) physical location of the destination in this
state, (5) name and mailing address of the consignee, (6) official
identification of each animal's age, sex, breed and species for each
animal represented on the certificate of veterinary inspection, and (7)
results of all tests required by this chapter. At the time of examination,
the issuing veterinarian shall verify that each animal represented on the
certificate of veterinary inspection bears identification tags or other
identification to officially identify the livestock. Such certificate of
veterinary inspection shall also include a statement verifying that the
livestock identified on the document have been inspected and that they
are free from clinical signs of any contagious, infectious or
communicable diseases and that the livestock do not originate from an
area of quarantine, infestation or infection. A certificate of veterinary
inspection shall be valid for thirty days after the date of issuance and
shall be signed by an accredited veterinarian. Any livestock import
permit issued pursuant to this section shall expire fifteen days after the
date of issuance.
(b) Not later than forty-eight hours after imported livestock arrives at
the destination for such livestock in this state, the owner of such
livestock shall complete and return the import permit to the
commissioner and report the number of each species imported and
include a copy of the certificate of veterinary inspection that Substitute House Bill No. 6726
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accompanied the livestock into this state.
(c) The commissioner may refuse to grant a livestock import permit
to any person, or any officer or agent of any corporation, who violates
any statute or regulation governing the importation of livestock.
Whenever an import permit is refused or revoked, the commissioner
shall notify such person importing the livestock of the violations and
corrections necessary and, after making corrections, such person may
reapply for a livestock import permit.
(d) Livestock brought into this state: (1) For the purpose of immediate
slaughter upon premises where federal inspection is maintained, (2) to
a slaughter facility approved by the commissioner, or (3) to a licensed
livestock commission sales stable authorized to handle out-of-state
livestock by the USDA and the State Veterinarian, shall be exempt from
the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, provided all such
livestock transported into this state are accompanied with an owner-
shipper statement that shall include the following: (A) The name and
address of the consignor and the consignee; (B) the point of origin of
such livestock and identification of the premises that is the destination
for such livestock; (C) the date of entry into the state and a statement
that all livestock are consigned for immediate slaughter; (D) a listing of
official identification of each animal, as required in subsection (a) of this
section; and (E) the signature of the shipper certifying that the animals
are imported for slaughter only.
(e) Any person who transports livestock or equines into this state for
exhibition or competition purposes may obtain an exhibition permit
from the commissioner prior to entering the state. Livestock or equines
listed in the exhibition permit and on the certificate of veterinary
inspection shall be exempt from the requirement for a new certificate of
veterinary inspection every thirty days for the duration of the exhibition
permit. All tests required pursuant to this chapter and chapter 438a, as
applicable, to qualify for importation shall be listed on the certificate of Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 19 of 30
veterinary inspection and shall be kept current for the duration of the
exhibition permit. Exhibition permits shall expire six months after the
date of issuance.
Sec. 14. Section 22-309 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The commissioner may refuse to grant permits to import animals
from any and all sections or areas [which in his opinion] that the
commissioner determines are infected with a contagious disease, and
[he] the commissioner may, at any time, revoke any permit previously
issued and then outstanding, for the importation into this state of
animals [which] that in [his] the commissioner's opinion are infected,
and all damages caused or claimed to have been caused by such
revocation shall be borne by the owner. All [neat cattle and goats]
livestock entering the state shall be identified by [ear tags, registration
name or number, tattoo or other markings appro ved by the
commissioner] official identification.
Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) No person shall import, or
cause to be imported, into this state any livestock that is under any state
or federal quarantine due to the presence of, or the suspected presence
of, an infectious or contagious disease.
(b) No person shall import, or cause to be imported, into this state
any livestock that is infected with, or has been exposed to, any infectious
or contagious disease including, but not limited to, tuberculosis,
brucellosis, anaplasmosis, psoroptic scabies, chronic wasting disease,
bovine spongiform encephalopathy, hog cholera, pseudorabies, rabies
or scrapie.
(c) No person shall import, or cause to be imported, into this state any
livestock unless an import permit issued pursuant to section 22-308 of
the general statutes, as amended by this act, is obtained and each animal Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 20 of 30
is accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an
accredited veterinarian certifying that each animal has been inspected,
is not showing signs of infectious or contagious diseases, and has been
tested in accordance with the requirements of chapter 433 of the general
statutes.
(d) Livestock imported into this state for movement directly to
slaughter at a facility under a grant of inspection from the United States
Department of Agriculture, or approved by the commissioner, are
exempt from subsection (c) of this section provided such livestock are
accompanied by the owner-shipper statement required pursuant to
subsection (d) of section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by
this act. No such livestock shall be sold or transferred live to any person,
firm or corporation.
Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective from passage) All cattle or bison imported into
this state shall be accompanied by an import permit required pursuant
to section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and a
certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian
thirty days or less prior to entry to the state that includes the dates and
results of any tests required by this section, the official identification of
each animal and certification that such cattle or bison meet the following
requirements: (1) They originated from a herd that was negative to a
whole herd tuberculin test performed not more than twelve months
prior to such entry into this state and each imported animal was
included in such whole herd test or tested negative to a tuberculosis test
performed not more than sixty days prior to entry into this state, and (2)
for bulls and non-brucellosis vaccinated female cattle six months of age
and older and for official calfhood vaccinates eighteen months of age
and older, that they are negative to an official test for brucellosis that
was performed not more than thirty days prior to entry into this state.
Spayed heifers and steers imported as feeder cattle are exempt from
such brucellosis testing. Cattle and bison vaccinated as adults for Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 21 of 30
brucellosis are not eligible for entry into the state. Cattle and bison that
were vaccinated when they were more than three hundred fifty-nine
days of age with diluted brucella abortus vaccine are not eligible for
entry into the state.
Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any sheep imported into this
state shall be accompanied by an import permit required pursuant to
section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and a
certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian
not more than thirty days prior to entry into this state that includes the
dates and results of any required tests, the official identification of each
animal and certification that the sheep listed on the certificate of
veterinary inspection have not been exposed to scrapie.
Sec. 18. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any goat imported into this
state shall be accompanied by an import permit required pursuant to
section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and a
certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian
not more than thirty days prior to entry into this state that includes: (1)
The dates and results of any tests required by this section, (2) the official
identification of each animal, and (3) certification that any goat listed on
the certificate of veterinary inspection has not been exposed to scrapie.
Additionally, any such goat shall meet the following requirements: (A)
They shall originate from a herd where they were included in a whole
herd with negative tuberculosis tests administered not more than
twelve months prior to such entry, (B) any such goat over three months
of age shall have tested negative to a tuberculin test not more than sixty
days prior to such entry, and (C) any goat over three months of age shall
have tested negative for brucellosis not more than thirty days prior to
such entry. Any kid goat under three months of age may be imported
on the dam's test chart if the dam was brucellosis tested and found
negative not more than twelve months prior to such entry and a copy of
such test result is provided to the commissioner. Any wether shall be Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 22 of 30
exempt from such brucellosis testing.
Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any camelid imported into this
state shall be accompanied by an import permit required pursuant to
section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and a
certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian
not more than thirty days prior to entry into this state. Such certificate
shall include the dates and results of any tests required by this section
and the official identification of each animal. Additionally, any such
camelid shall: (1) Have tested negative for tuberculosis using an axillary
tuberculin test not more than sixty days prior to such entry, and (2) if
six months of age or older, test negative for brucellosis not more than
thirty days prior to such entry.
Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective from passage) All cervidae imported into this
state shall be accompanied by an import or exhibition permit required
pursuant to section 22-308 of the general statutes, as amended by this
act, and a certificate of veterinary inspection that verifies compliance
with the provisions of section 26-57a of the general statutes and any
regulations adopted pursuant to said section.
Sec. 21. Section 22-316 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[All cattle or goats found to be affected with a communicable disease
shall be killed and the carcasses disposed of and premises disinfected in
accordance with the order of the Commissioner of Agriculture and at
the expense of the owner.] All carcasses of diseased livestock
condemned pursuant to this chapter shall be disposed of in a manner
acceptable to the commissioner. The premises shall be disinfected in a
manner acceptable to the commissioner before livestock are
reintroduced to such premises.
Sec. 22. Section 22-318a of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 23 of 30
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Any herd owner, auctioneer, [cattle] livestock dealer or sales
manager, who contemplates a complete dispersal sale of a herd or a sale
in which more than ten head is to be sold in a group shall furnish a list
of animals to be sold to the [Commissioner of Agriculture]
commissioner not later than fourteen days prior to the sale. [, unless the
commissioner, in his sole discretion, shall find that this requirement,
under existing conditions, would impose undue hardship on the seller,
in which case he may waive it.] No owner, auctioneer, [cattle] livestock
dealer or sales manager shall conduct a dispersal sale without the
approval of the commissioner. The [commissioner may, in his
discretion,] State Veterinarian may require such herd to be [tuberculin
or brucellosis tested, or both,] tested for diseases, as the State
Veterinarian determines are necessary, before such sale. If such herd has
been tested or is tested in accordance with the provisions of this section
[and is found negative to both tests, or a permit has been issued by the
commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 22-303] and
is found negative, permission shall be granted for said sale. [These tests
shall be applied as private tests if not a routine test assignment. Any
person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more
than one hundred dollars.] Any test required pursuant to this section
shall be performed at the owner's expense.
Sec. 23. Section 22-319b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the growing of swine
that are to be used or disposed of elsewhere than on the premises where
such swine are grown shall register with the [Commissioner of
Agriculture] commissioner on forms furnished by the commissioner.
The commissioner may make orders and adopt regulations, in
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning examination,
quarantine, disinfection, preventive treatment, disposition, Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 24 of 30
transportation, importation, feeding and sanitation for the protection of
swine from contagious and infectious disease. Said commissioner shall,
at once, cause an investigation of all cases of such diseases coming to the
commissioner's knowledge and shall use all proper means to
exterminate and prevent spread of the same. Instructions shall be
issued, in writing, by the commissioner or the commissioner's agent that
shall contain directions for quarantine and disinfection of the premises
where such disease exists. [No swine shall be brought into Connecticut
by any individual, corporation or common carrier, unless the same
originate from a herd that is validated as brucellosis-free and qualified
pseudorabies-negative, and are accompanied by a permit issued by the
commissioner and an official health certificate showing such animals to
be free from any contagious or infectious disease, except that swine
brought into this state for the purpose of immediate slaughter upon
premises where federal inspection is maintained need not be
accompanied by an official health certificate and the owner of each
establishment where federal inspection is maintained shall report
weekly to the commissioner, upon forms furnished by the
commissioner, the number of such swine imported. Such permit shall
accompany all waybills or, if animals are driven or carted over
highways, shall be in the possession of the person in charge of swine. In
addition to any other requirements of this section, all swine imported
for other than immediate slaughter that are over three months of age,
other than barrows, shall be negative as to a blood test for brucellosis
and pseudorabies within thirty days of importation. With approval of
the State Veterinarian, a thirty-day blood test may not be required for
swine originating from, and residing for at least thirty days prior to
importation in, a state that is validated as brucellosis-free and stage V
pseudorabies-free, or for swine originating from any herd which the
State Veterinarian determines to be pathogen-free. With such approval,
swine may be imported pursuant to an import permit and a current
official health certificate. All swine brought into the state for immediate
slaughter shall be killed in an approved slaughterhouse under Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 25 of 30
veterinary inspection.]
(b) Any person, firm or corporation engaged in breeding swine in this
state shall have all breeding swine tested for brucellosis and
pseudorabies. Such testing shall be performed by an accredited
veterinarian, a veterinarian employed by the USDA, or the department
or an employee employed by the department, under supervision of the
State Veterinarian. The owner of any herd or animal to be so tested shall
provide assistance and proper restraint for confining the animals for and
during the application and diagnosis of said test. The state shall not be
liable for any damages incurred or alleged to have been incurred from
such test. Testing for brucellosis shall comply with section 22-298, as
amended by this act. The procedures for testing for pseudorabies and
the control and disposition of pseudorabies positive swine shall
conform to the USDA, pseudorabies eradication program standards.
(c) All swine imported into this state shall be accompanied by an
import permit required pursuant to section 22-308, as amended by this
act, and a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited
veterinarian not more than thirty days prior to entry into this state and
that includes the dates and results of any tests required by this section,
the official identification of each swine and certification that each swine
originated from a: (1) Brucellosis validated free herd, provided the herd
number, the date of the last whole herd negative brucellosis test that
includes the swine being imported shall be recorded on the certificate of
veterinary inspection, or, in the alternative, each swine over three
months of age shall have been tested and found negative for brucellosis
not more than thirty days prior to such entry; and (2) pseudorabies
qualified free herd, provided the number and date of the last whole herd
negative test that includes the swine being imported shall be recorded
on the certificate of veterinary inspection, or, in the alternative, each
swine shall have been tested and found negative for pseudorabies not
more than thirty days prior to such entry. Barrows shall be exempt from Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 26 of 30
such brucellosis testing.
Sec. 24. Section 22-320a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
As used in [sections 22-320a] this section and sections 22-320b to 22-
320h, inclusive:
[(a) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture;
(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture;
(c) "Person" means the state or any political subdivision thereof, or
any institution, public or private, any corporation, any limited liability
company, any individual or any partnership;
(d)] (1) "Garbage" means any material containing meat resulting from
the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of foods including
animal carcasses or parts thereof. [, but the term "garbage" shall]
"Garbage" does not [apply to] include waste materials from
slaughterhouses [which] that go directly to rendering plants for
processing; and
[(e)] (2) "Garbage-feeding swine farm" includes all premises on which
one or more swine are maintained and are fed garbage.
Sec. 25. Section 22-321 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Any person, or any officer or agent of any corporation, who
violates any provision of this chapter for which no other penalty is
provided, [or] who obstructs or attempts to obstruct the [Commissioner
of Agriculture or his deputy or any of his assistants] commissioner, an
authorized agent of the commissioner or an employee of the department
in the performance of [his duty] a duty established in this chapter, or
who violates any regulation established by said commissioner, shall be Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 27 of 30
fined two hundred fifty dollars for a first such violation or obstruction
and for any such second violation or obstruction shall be guilty of a class
D misdemeanor.
(b) Any person who misleads or attempts to mislead the
commissioner by removing or altering the official identification of any
livestock or by falsifying a certificate of veterinary inspection shall be
fined two hundred fifty dollars for a first such violation and shall be
guilty of a class D misdemeanor for any second or subsequent such
violation.
Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Any laboratory or veterinarian
that conducts testing of livestock or poultry in this state shall notify the
State Veterinarian, on forms or in a manner prescribed by the
Commissioner of Agriculture, of any positive test results for any
notifiable or reportable disease pursuant to section 22-26f of the general
statutes. Such notification shall be made not later than twenty-four
hours after receipt of any such results. Any person who violates this
section for a first violation shall be subject to an administrative civil
penalty, issued pursuant to section 22-7 of the general statutes, of not
more than five hundred dollars, and for any such second or subsequent
violation, not more than one thousand dollars.
Sec. 27. Subsection (a) of section 22-277 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
passage):
(a) As used in this section, "livestock animal" means any camelid or
hooved animal raised for domestic or commercial use. The
Commissioner of Agriculture shall supervise commission sales stables
where livestock animals are sold at public auctions. Any person, firm or
corporation engaged in the business of selling livestock animals at such
auctions or sales shall annually apply to said commissioner for a license
upon a form to be prescribed by the commissioner. The fee for each such Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 28 of 30
license shall be one hundred ninety dollars, payable to said
commissioner. Each such license shall be issued for the period of one
year from July first and may be revoked for cause. If, in the judgment of
the commissioner, any provision of this section has been violated, the
commissioner shall send notice by registered or certified mail to the
licensee, who shall be given a hearing, and, if violation is proven, the
license shall be revoked. If a license to deal in livestock, issued to any
person, firm or corporation by another state, has been suspended or
revoked by such state within five years next preceding the date of
issuance or renewal of a license to such person, firm or corporation
under the provisions of this section, such suspension or revocation shall
constitute just cause for revocation under this section. All dairy animals
to be sold at such auction shall be segregated from beef animals prior to
such sales. The sale of dairy animals shall precede the sale of those
assigned for slaughter. All bovines more than three hundred pounds in
weight, except dairy and breeding animals, that are delivered to a sale
shall be branded with the letter "S" in a conspicuous place or identified
in a manner acceptable to the commissioner or the commissioner's
designee by the operator of the sale or the operator's representative. All
dairy and breeding animals from within the state arriving at a sale shall
be from a herd that: (1) Is under state supervision for the control of
brucellosis and tuberculosis and that has been tested for brucellosis and
tuberculosis less than fourteen months before the sale, (2) has been
tested for tuberculosis less than fourteen months before the sale and is
regularly tested under the brucellosis ring test program of the
Department of Agriculture, or (3) is certified to be brucellosis-free under
the program established pursuant to section 22-299a. All dairy and
breeding animals which are not cosigned for immediate slaughter,
arriving at a sale from outside the state shall comply with [section 22-
304] chapter 433 and be accompanied by a health certificate issued by
the livestock official of the state of their origin and by an import permit
from the commissioner or, alternatively, such dairy or breeding animals
shall be examined by a licensed accredited veterinarian who shall issue Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 29 of 30
an interstate health certificate for such animal at the expense of the
licensee. All animals offered for dairy or breeding purposes shall be
identified by an official ear tag, or by a breed registration number if
accompanied by the corresponding breed registration certificate.
Animals consigned for slaughter shall be sold only to owners or agents
of slaughtering establishments and moved directly to such slaughtering
establishments for immediate slaughter or slaughter that occurs not
later than seventy-two hours after the time of sale. All stables and sales
rings shall be kept clean and shall be suitably disinfected prior to each
sale. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale of an
individual herd at an auction conducted by the owner thereof. Any
person, or any officer or agent of any corporation, who violates any
provision of this section or who obstructs or attempts to obstruct the
Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner's deputy or assistants
in the performance of their duty, shall be guilty of a class D
misdemeanor.
Sec. 28. Subsection (c) of section 22-342 of the general statutes, as
amended by section 3 of public act 23-17, is repealed and the following
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(c) The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or any state
animal control officer may at any time inspect any kennel including all
facilities of any kennel in which dogs are bred or housed or cause it to
be inspected by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian appointed by the
commissioner. If, in the judgment of the commissioner, such kennel is
not being maintained in good repair and in a sanitary and humane
manner or if the commissioner finds that communicable or infectious
disease or other unsatisfactory conditions exist in the kennel, he may
issue such orders as he deems necessary for the correction of such
conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner
or keeper of such kennel fails to comply with such orders, the
commissioner shall revoke or suspend the kennel license of such owner Substitute House Bill No. 6726
Public Act No. 23-187 30 of 30
or keeper. [Each] On or after July 1, 2023, each such kennel [shall] may
be inspected annually by an animal control officer appointed pursuant
to section 22-331 or 22-331a with jurisdiction in the municipality in
which such kennel is located, or upon receipt of any complaint about
such kennel. Such inspection shall include an evaluation of: (1) The
sanitary conditions in which the dogs are kept, (2) the dogs' access to
proper and wholesome food, potable water, exercise and veterinary care
when necessary, including rabies vaccinations, and (3) records of
veterinary care and records of the transfer of dogs or puppies to new
owners. Any crate or other enclosure in which any dog is kept for more
than four hours shall be clean and in good repair, such that the crate or
enclosure does not pose a hazard to the dog, and shall be of sufficient
size as to allow the dogs to stand, sit, lie down, turn around and make
normal postural movements. If any animal control officer finds
conditions exist in such kennel that may adversely affect the health,
safety or welfare of any dog, such animal control officer may issue such
orders as are necessary for the correction of such conditions. If such
animal control officer suspects a communicable or infectious disease is
present, such officer may order the licensee to consult a Connecticut
licensed veterinarian at such licensee's expense to address the suspected
health condition. The licensee shall implement any order of the animal
control officer to correct any condition that may adversely affect the
health, safety or welfare of any such dog, and shall follow any
recommendation of such veterinarian, as applicable. A municipality
may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue any local kennel license under
this section for cause.
Sec. 29. Sections 22-284, 22-304, 22-318, 22-318b, 22-291 to 22-293,
inclusive, and 22-310 to 22-313, inclusive, of the general statutes are
repealed. (Effective from passage)