TITLE 4. AGRICULTURE

PART 2. TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION

CHAPTER 38. TRICHOMONIASIS

The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) in a duly noticed meeting on November 18, 2025, adopted changes to Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 38 titled "Trichomoniasis." Specifically, the Commission adopted amendments to §§38.1, 38.2, 38.3, and 38.8 without changes to the proposed text published in the September 19, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6086) and will not be republished.

JUSTIFICATION FOR RULE ACTION

The Commission adopts amendments to Chapter 38 to correct and update test result language and certain testing requirements regarding the Trichomoniasis program.

Bovine Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the organism Trichomonas foetus. The trichomoniasis organism is found on the surface of an infected bull's penis and on the inside of the prepuce. Once a bull is infected, it is infected for life and is a reservoir for the organism. An infected bull will not show symptoms but will physically transmit the organism to female cattle during the breeding process. Clinical indications of the presence of trichomoniasis in female cattle include reduced pregnancy rates, changes in pregnancy pattern, pyometras and higher rates of abortion throughout the pregnancy.

Unlike bulls, trichomoniasis infected females will show an immune response to the presence of the Trichomonas foetus organism in their reproductive tract. Antibodies are produced both within the reproductive tract and blood which helps in the clearance of the infection in many exposed females. The immunity is short-lived and cattle that have previously cleared the infection can become re-infected if exposed to the organism during a following breeding. Infected female cattle can remain infected throughout their pregnancy, deliver a live calf and be a potential threat in spreading the disease in the next breeding season.

The Bovine Trichomoniasis Working Group (TWG) met on July 10, 2025, to review the effectiveness of the current program. The TWG discussed the program overview to date and the need for updated rule language and possible revisions to the program's assurance testing requirements.

The TWG recommended updating rule language that referenced "negative" test result to "not detected" results. This change reflects the most correct way to report results from a test that does not find a target pathogen because pathogens may not be present or there may merely be insufficient genetic material from the target pathogen such that it was not found above the detection limit of the test.

The second recommendation was to eliminate the assurance testing requirements for bulls that are part of a herd one year after the date the hold order or quarantine on the herd was released. This requirement was originally put in place to address repeat infections. The TWG's evaluation of this requirement found that the testing has not served that purpose, there is not a need for additional surveillance at this time, and the requirement is administratively burdensome.

As a result of the TWG's review, the Commission adopts amendments to Chapter 38 to update "negative" test result to "not detected," and to remove the official testing requirement for bulls that are part of an infected one year after the release of a hold or quarantine order

HOW THE RULES WILL FUNCTION

Section 38.1 includes definitions for the Trichomoniasis program. The amendments change "negative" test result to "not detected."

Section 38.2 outlines the general requirements of the Trichomoniasis program. The amendments update "negative" test result to "not detected."

Section 38.3 concerns infected herds. The amendments update "negative" test result to "not detected." Additionally, the amendments eliminate the assurance test requirement for bulls in herds one year after a hold order or quarantine was released. The amendments also adjust numbering.

Section 38.8 includes the Herd Certification Program for breeding bulls. The amendments update "negative" test result to "not detected." The amendments correct formatting to italicize scientific names.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND COMMISSION RESPONSE

The 30-day comment period ended October 19, 2025.

During this period, the Commission received no comments regarding the changes to this rule.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendments are adopted under the following statutory authority as found in Chapter 161 of the Texas Agriculture Code. The Commission is vested by statute, §161.041(a), with the requirement to protect all livestock, domestic animals, and domestic fowl from disease. The Commission is authorized, through §161.041(b), to act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock.

Pursuant to §161.005, entitled "Commission Written Instruments", the Commission may authorize the executive director or another employee to sign written instruments on behalf of the Commission. A written instrument, including a quarantine or written notice signed under that authority, has the same force and effect as if signed by the entire Commission.

Pursuant to §161.006, entitled "Documents to Accompany Shipment", if required that a certificate or permit accompany animals or commodities moved in this state, the document must be in the possession of the person in charge of the animals or commodities, if the movement is made by any other means.

Pursuant to §161.0417, entitled "Authorized Personnel for Disease Control", a person, including a veterinarian, must be authorized by the Commission in order to engage in an activity that is part of a state or federal disease control or eradication program for animals.

Pursuant to §161.046, entitled "Rules", the Commission may adopt rules as necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

Pursuant to §161.048, entitled "Inspection of Shipment of Animals or Animal Products", the Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved. An agent of the Commission is entitled to stop and inspect a shipment of animals or animal products being transported in this state in order to determine if the shipment originated from a quarantined area or herd; or determine if the shipment presents a danger to the public health or livestock industry through insect infestation or through a communicable or noncommunicable disease.

Pursuant to §161.054, titled "Regulation of Movement of Animals; Exception", the Commission, by rule, may regulate the movement of animals. The Commission may restrict the intrastate movement of animals even though the movement of the animals is unrestricted in interstate or international commerce. The Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved. The Commission is authorized, through §161.054(b), to prohibit or regulate the movement of animals into a quarantined herd, premises, or area. The executive director of the Commission is authorized, through §161.054(d), to modify a restriction on animal movement, and may consider economic hardship.

Pursuant to §161.056(a), titled "Animal Identification Program", the Commission, to provide for disease control and enhance the ability to trace disease-infected animals or animals that have been exposed to disease, may develop and implement an animal identification program that is no more stringent than a federal animal disease traceability or other federal animal identification program. Section 161.056(d) authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to provide for an animal identification program more stringent than a federal program only for control of a specific animal disease or for animal emergency management.

Pursuant to §161.061, titled "Establishment", if the Commission may establish a quarantine against all or the portion of a state, territory, or country in which a disease listed in rules adopted under Section 161.041. Section 161.061(b), a quarantine established may extend to any affected area, including a county, district, pasture, lot, ranch, farm, field, range, thoroughfare, building, stable, or stockyard pen. Section 161.061(c), the Commission may establish a quarantine to prohibit or regulate the movement of infected animals and the movement of animals into an affected area. Section 161.061(d) allows the Commission to delegate its authority to establish a quarantine to the executive director.

Pursuant to §161.065, titled "Movement from Quarantined Area; Movement of Quarantined Animals", the Commission may provide a written certificate or written permit authorizing the movement of animals from quarantined places. If the Commission finds animals have been moved in violation of an established quarantine or in violation of any other livestock sanitary law, the Commission shall quarantine the animals until they have been properly treated, vaccinated, tested, dipped, or disposed of in accordance with the rules of the commission.

Pursuant to §161.101, entitled "Duty to Report", a veterinarian, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or a person having care, custody, or control of an animal shall report the existence of the diseases, if required by the Commission, among livestock, exotic livestock, bison, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl to the Commission within 24 hours after diagnosis of the disease.

Pursuant to §161.113, entitled "Testing or Treatment of Livestock", if the Commission requires testing or vaccination under this subchapter, the testing or vaccination must be performed by an accredited veterinarian or qualified person authorized by the commission. The state may not be required to pay the cost of fees charged for the testing or vaccination. The Commission may require the owner or operator of a livestock market to furnish adequate equipment or facilities or have access to essential equipment or facilities within the immediate vicinity of the livestock market.

Pursuant to §161.114, entitled "Inspection of Livestock", an authorized inspector may examine livestock consigned to and delivered on the premises of a livestock market before the livestock are offered for sale. If the inspector considers it necessary, the inspector may have an animal tested or vaccinated. Any testing or vaccination must occur before the animal is removed from the livestock market.

Pursuant to §161.148, titled "Administrative Penalty", the Commission may impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates Chapter 161 or a rule or order adopted under Chapter 161. The penalty for a violation may be in an amount not to exceed $5,000, effective September 1, 2021.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by this proposal.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 20, 2025.

TRD-202504262

Jeanine Coggeshall

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Effective date: December 10, 2025

Proposal publication date: September 19, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 839-0511

CHAPTER 45. REPORTABLE AND ACTIONABLE DISEASES

The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) in a duly noticed meeting on November 18, 2025, adopted amendments to Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 45 §45.3, concerning Reportable and Actionable Disease List in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 45, titled "Reportable and Actionable Diseases." The Commission adopted amendments to §45.3 without changes to the proposed text published in the September 19, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6090) and will not be republished.

JUSTIFICATION FOR RULE ACTION

Egg drop syndrome virus (EDSv) is an infectious disease caused by an atadenovirus which can affect many species of poultry and birds. The clinical signs of EDSv are largely associated with egg production. Infected birds produce thin-shelled, soft-shelled, or shell-less eggs, and experience a rapid and extended loss in egg production. Currently, there is no treatment for EDSv and vaccine use is limited.

Due to the economic risks posed by EDSv on the Texas poultry industry, early detection and reporting are critical to prevention. The amendment to §45.3 will add egg drop syndrome virus to the list of diseases that are reportable to the Commission to address the emerging threat to susceptible species in Texas.

Adopted concurrently with a separate preamble, the Commission also amends §51.15 concerning entry requirements for poultry that require domestic poultry from EDSv affected states or poultry vaccinated against EDSv to enter Texas for immediate slaughter only with a written request reviewed and approved by the executive director.

HOW THE RULE WILL FUNCTION

The amendments to §45.3, Reportable and Actionable Disease List, add egg drop syndrome virus to the list of reportable and actionable diseases and reorder the list in alphabetical order.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND COMMISSION RESPONSE

The 30-day comment period ended October 19, 2025.

During this period, the Commission received one comment in support of the amendment from the Texas Poultry Federation.

The Texas Poultry Federation thanked the Commission for its proactive approach to protecting Texas poultry from emerging disease threats.

Response: The Commission thanks the commenter for its feedback.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §161.046 which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

Pursuant to §161.041, titled "Disease Control," the Commission shall protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the Commission determines require control or eradication. Pursuant to §161.041(b) the Commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl. The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including rules concerning testing, movement, inspection, and treatment.

Pursuant to §161.048, titled "Inspection of Shipment of Animals or Animal Product," the Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved. An agent of the Commission is entitled to stop and inspect a shipment of animals or animal products being transported in this state to determine if the shipment originated from a quarantined area or herd; or determine if the shipment presents a danger to the public health or livestock industry through insect infestation or through a communicable or non-communicable disease.

Pursuant to §161.054, titled "Regulation of Movement of Animals; Exception," the Commission may by rule regulate the movement of animals, and may restrict the intrastate movement of animals even though the movement of the animals is unrestricted in interstate or international commerce. The Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved.

Pursuant to §161.101, titled "Duty to Report," a veterinarian, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or a person having care, custody, or control of an animal shall report the existence of the disease, if required by the Commission, among livestock, exotic livestock, bison, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl to the Commission within 24 hours after diagnosis of the disease.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by this adoption.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 20, 2025.

TRD-202504263

Jeanine Coggeshall

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Effective date: December 10, 2025

Proposal publication date: September 19, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 839-0511

CHAPTER 51. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) in a duly noticed meeting on November 18, 2025, adopted amendments to Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 51 §51.15, concerning Poultry in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 51, titled "Entry Requirements." The Commission adopted amendments to §51.15 with non-substantive changes to §51.15(e) of the proposed text published in the September 19, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6092) to clarify language concerning applicable quarantine areas. The rule will be republished.

JUSTIFICATION FOR RULE ACTION

The Commission is tasked with creating and enforcing entry requirements for livestock, fowl, exotic livestock, and exotic fowl. The Commission adopts amendments to the entry requirements governing poultry to simplify and consolidate rules across chapters and to add entry requirements concerning egg drop syndrome virus (EDSv).

Previously, entry requirements for poultry were located in §51.15 and in §57.11. The amendments move the requirements from §57.11 to §51.15. These changes create concise and clear guidelines for entry. Additionally, prior rules were written in large paragraph blocks that were difficult to understand. The amendments seek to break the requirements down into easy to follow lists. The amendments to §51.15 are adopted concurrently with amendments to §57.11.

Further, the amendments to §51.15 include new entry requirements for poultry entering from EDSv affected states. The amendments require birds from affected states or birds that have been vaccinated against EDSv to submit a written request prior to entry and obtain authorization from the executive director prior to entry. Egg drop syndrome virus (EDSv) is an infectious disease caused by an atadenovirus which can affect many species of poultry and birds. The disease results in malformed eggs and decreased egg production. Currently, there is no treatment for EDSv. The amendments to §51.15 are adopted concurrently with an amendment to §45.3 which adds EDSv to the Commission's reportable and actionable disease list.

HOW THE RULES WILL FUNCTION

Section 51.15 includes entry requirements for poultry. The amendments consolidate entry requirements previously found in §57.11 for clarity and conciseness. The amendments reorganize existing entry requirements into easier to follow lists rather than bulky paragraphs. And the amendments create new requirements for birds entering Texas from EDSv affected states similar to existing requirements for birds entering Texas from Infectious Laryngotracheitis affected states.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND COMMISSION RESPONSE

The 30-day comment period ended October 19, 2025.

During this period, the Commission received one comment in support of the amendments from the Texas Poultry Federation.

The Texas Poultry Federation thanked the Commission for its proactive approach to protecting Texas poultry from emerging disease threats. TPF expressed concern with possible confusion over language in §51.15(e) and requested the Commission clarify that birds from both state quarantine and federal quarantine areas shall not enter without express written consent.

Response: The Commission thanks the commenter for its feedback.

The Commission agrees that the language can be made clearer. Changes to the proposal were made to clarify that birds from both state quarantine and federal quarantine areas shall not enter without express written consent.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §161.046 which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

Pursuant to §161.041, titled "Disease Control," the Commission shall protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the Commission determines require control or eradication. Pursuant to §161.041(b) the Commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl. The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including rules concerning testing, movement, inspection, and treatment.

Pursuant to §161.043, titled "Regulation of Exhibitions," the Commission may regulate the entry of livestock and may require certification of those animals as reasonably necessary to protect against communicable diseases.

Pursuant to §161.048, titled "Inspection of Shipment of Animals or Animal Product," the Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved. An agent of the Commission is entitled to stop and inspect a shipment of animals or animal products being transported in this state to determine if the shipment originated from a quarantined area or herd; or determine if the shipment presents a danger to the public health or livestock industry through insect infestation or through a communicable or non-communicable disease.

Pursuant to §161.054, titled "Regulation of Movement of Animals; Exception," the Commission may by rule regulate the movement of animals, and may restrict the intrastate movement of animals even though the movement of the animals is unrestricted in interstate or international commerce. The Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved.

Pursuant to §161.056(a), titled "Animal Identification Program," the Commission, to provide for disease control and enhance the ability to trace disease-infected animals or animals that have been exposed to disease, may develop and implement an animal identification program that is no more stringent than a federal animal disease traceability or other federal animal identification program. Section 161.056(d) authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to provide for an animal identification program more stringent than a federal program only for control of a specific animal disease or for animal emergency management.

Pursuant to §161.081, titled "Importation of Animals," the Commission by rule may provide the method for inspecting and testing animals before and after entry into Texas. The Commission may create rules for the issuance and form of health certificates and entry permits.

Pursuant to §161.101, titled "Duty to Report," a veterinarian, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or a person having care, custody, or control of an animal shall report the existence of the disease, if required by the Commission, among livestock, exotic livestock, bison, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl to the Commission within 24 hours after diagnosis of the disease.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by this adoption.

§51.15. Poultry.

(a) Poultry shipped into the State of Texas shall be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to shipment and shall have an entry permit in accordance with §51.2 of this title (relating to General Requirements). The health certificate shall state:

(1) Poultry have been inspected and are free of evidence of infectious or contagious disease;

(2) Poultry have been vaccinated only with approved vaccines as defined in this regulation;

(3) Poultry have not originated from an area that has had active Laryngotracheitis or chicken embryo origin Laryngotracheitis vaccine virus within the last 30 days; and

(4) Poultry have passed a negative test for pullorum-typhoid within 30 days prior to shipment or that they originate from flocks which have met the pullorum-typhoid requirements of the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid Program and/or the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

(5) Live domestic poultry from states not affected with Avian Influenza may enter Texas under the following circumstances:

(A) The domestic poultry originates from a flock that is certified in accordance with the National Poultry Improvement Plan as U.S. Avian Influenza Clean, U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean, or U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Monitored; or

(B) The domestic poultry is from an Avian Influenza negative flock that participates in an approved state-sponsored Avian Influenza monitoring program and participation in the program and the general description of the birds, test date, test results, and name of testing laboratory are documented on the CVI; or

(C) The domestic poultry originate from a flock in which a minimum of 30 birds, 4 weeks of age or older, or the complete flock, if fewer than 30, are serologically negative to an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test for Avian Influenza within 30 days of entry or a minimum of 10 birds (e.g. two pools of 5 birds per house) are tested negative on trachea swabs to a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test within 30 days of entry or negative to other tests approved by the Commission; the general description of the birds, test date, test results, and name of testing laboratory are documented on the CVI.

(b) Movement of poultry from disease affected states.

(1) Live domestic poultry from states affected with Avian Influenza may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following circumstances:

(A) A minimum of 30 birds per flock are serologically negative to an ELISA or AGID test for Avian Influenza within 72 hours of entry, or a minimum of 10 birds (e.g., two pools of 5 birds per house) are tested negative on tracheal swabs to a RRT-PCR test within 72 hours of entry or negative to other tests approved by the TAHC; and

(B) Specific written permission has been granted.

(2) Live domestic poultry from states affected with Infectious Laryngotracheitis or poultry that has been vaccinated with chick embryo vaccine may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following conditions:

(A) The request for authorization to bring poultry into the state must be in writing and shall include a proposed route to slaughter that would not pose a disease risk to Texas poultry;

(B) The initial request must be approved by the executive director prior to entry of the poultry;

(3) Live domestic poultry from states affected with egg drop syndrome virus or poultry that has been vaccinated against the virus may enter Texas for immediate slaughter and processing only under the following conditions:

(A) The request for authorization to bring poultry into the state must be in writing and shall include a proposed route to slaughter that would not pose a disease risk to Texas poultry;

(B) The initial request must be approved by the executive director prior to entry of the poultry;

(c) An official health certificate is not required on poultry consigned to slaughter establishments, which maintain federal or state ante and postmortem inspection, provided the shipment is accompanied by a waybill indicating the plant of destination.

(d) Baby poultry will be exempt from this section if from an NPIP, or equivalent, hatchery, and accompanied by NPIP Form 9-3 or 9-3i; or, if covered by an approved "Commuter Poultry Flock Agreement" on file with the state of origin and the commission.

(e) Live poultry, unprocessed poultry, hatching eggs, unprocessed eggs, egg flats, poultry coops, cages, crates, other birds, and used poultry equipment affected with, or recently exposed to, infectious, contagious, or communicable disease, or originating in state quarantined areas or federal quarantined areas shall not enter Texas without express written consent from the commission.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 20, 2025.

TRD-202504264

Jeanine Coggeshall

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Effective date: December 10, 2025

Proposal publication date: September 19, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 839-0511

CHAPTER 57. POULTRY

The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) in a duly noticed meeting on November 18, 2025, adopted amendments to Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 57 §57.11, concerning General Requirements in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, Part 2, Chapter 57, titled "Poultry." The Commission adopted amendments to §57.11 without changes to the proposed text published in the September 19, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6095) and will not be republished.

JUSTIFICATION FOR RULE ACTION

The Commission is tasked with creating and enforcing entry requirements for livestock, fowl, exotic livestock, and exotic fowl. The Commission adopts amendments to the entry requirements governing poultry to simplify and consolidate rules across chapters. Previously, entry requirements for poultry were located in §51.15 and in §57.11. The amendments move the requirements from §57.11 to §51.15. These changes create concise and clear guidelines for entry. The amendments to §57.11 are adopted concurrently with amendments to §51.15.

HOW THE RULES WILL FUNCTION

The amendments to §57.11, General Requirements, remove the interstate movement requirements that have been moved to §51.15, renumber paragraphs, and clarify proven available methods of poultry carcass disposal.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND COMMISSION RESPONSE

The 30-day comment period ended October 19, 2025.

During this period, the Commission received no comments regarding the changes to this rule.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 161, §161.046 which authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code.

Pursuant to §161.041, titled "Disease Control," the Commission shall protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the commission determines require control or eradication. Pursuant to §161.041(b) the Commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl. The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including rules concerning testing, movement, inspection, and treatment.

Pursuant to §161.043, titled "Regulation of Exhibitions," the Commission may regulate the entry of livestock and may require certification of those animals as reasonably necessary to protect against communicable diseases.

Pursuant to §161.048, titled "Inspection of Shipment of Animals or Animal Product," the Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved. An agent of the Commission is entitled to stop and inspect a shipment of animals or animal products being transported in this state to determine if the shipment originated from a quarantined area or herd; or determine if the shipment presents a danger to the public health or livestock industry through insect infestation or through a communicable or non-communicable disease.

Pursuant to §161.054, titled "Regulation of Movement of Animals; Exception," the Commission may by rule regulate the movement of animals, and may restrict the intrastate movement of animals even though the movement of the animals is unrestricted in interstate or international commerce. The Commission may require testing, vaccination, or another epidemiologically sound procedure before or after animals are moved.

Pursuant to §161.056(a), titled "Animal Identification Program," the Commission, to provide for disease control and enhance the ability to trace disease-infected animals or animals that have been exposed to disease, may develop and implement an animal identification program that is no more stringent than a federal animal disease traceability or other federal animal identification program. Section 161.056(d) authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to provide for an animal identification program more stringent than a federal program only for control of a specific animal disease or for animal emergency management.

Pursuant to §161.081, titled "Importation of Animals," the Commission by rule may provide the method for inspecting and testing animals before and after entry into Texas. The Commission may create rules for the issuance and form of health certificates and entry permits.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by this adoption.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 20, 2025.

TRD-202504265

Jeanine Coggeshall

General Counsel

Texas Animal Health Commission

Effective date: December 10, 2025

Proposal publication date: September 19, 2025

For further information, please call: (512) 839-0511