Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

February 1, 2002

New regulations aid TAHC in
livestock emergency preparedness

New emergency response and management regulations effective Jan. 1 for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) will equip Texas officials with emergency authority to fight a foreign animal disease outbreak.

"We must be ready for action if a foreign animal disease is accidentally or intentionally introduced into Texas," said Dr. Linda Logan, Texas state veterinarian and TAHC executive director. "New emergency response regulations will streamline our ability to immediately declare livestock movement restrictions statewide, if needed, establish quarantines and start fighting a foreign animal disease without waiting for the 12 TAHC commissioners to convene a meeting. Any delays in action to stop disease spread could be costly for Texas livestock producers."

The new regulations do not exclude the 12 governor-appointed TAHC commissioners, but allow Logan or designated deputies to act immediately on their behalf to fight the spread of disease. In an emergency, the commissioners would convene as quickly as possible in an open meeting to address the disease outbreak.

"The TAHC commissioners will retain ultimate authority, and they will be involved in deliberations with industry stakeholders to direct the agency in responding to an emergency," commented Gene Snelson, TAHC general counsel. "Furthermore, this new authority will be used only when a foreign animal disease has been introduced into the state. While the TAHC always has had broad-based legal authority to eradicate or control livestock disease, the authority to be more direct in responding to such a livestock emergency must be legislatively modified. These new regulations, however, provide an interim framework to ensure that we can address problems if they arise prior to the next legislative session."

Citing Great Britain's 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, Logan said authorities determined the virus had been in that country for two or three weeks before sick swine were seen at a slaughter plant in February 2001. In the ensuing battle to contain infection, more than 6 million head of livestock on 9,662 farms were slaughtered in Great Britain. The cost of the outbreak will run well over $4 billion.

"If the disease was introduced into Texas, and we halted livestock movement immediately, we have a chance at stopping the spread of the disease. Until now, commissioners had to hold an emergency meeting in order to enact widespread livestock movement restrictions," she said.

The emergency response regulations also authorize the slaughter and disposal of infected and exposed animals, and provide for the TAHC to assist owners with obtaining any indemnity funds available from the state or federal government.

In a foreign animal disease outbreak, Logan explained that the Texas Emergency Response Team will lead the initial charge. This special-duty team, she said, is comprised of the TAHC and Texas-based staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services (USDA-APHIS-VS). Early this spring, the TAHC gained additional support when it joined the 31-member State Emergency Management Council. Under a governor's disaster declaration, the TAHC can access the equipment, manpower and expertise of member agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, National Guard, or Texas Department of Highways. Twenty-one member agencies participated in a mock foot-and-mouth disease exercise in late June in College Station to hone teamwork and responsiveness.

"We were particularly pleased to have the participation of livestock industry groups and TAHC commissioners in this simulated outbreak exercise," commented Logan.

The TAHC head said regulations, laws and extra manpower and equipment would be helpful in a foreign disease outbreak, but would never take the place of Texas' first line of defense: the livestock owner and private veterinary practicioner.

"Keeping a sharp eye on livestock and promptly reporting any unusual signs of disease could save billions of dollars in the long run," said Logan.

A hotline, operated cooperatively by the USDA and TAHC, is available 24 hours a day.

A foreign animal disease diagnostician is always on call and can be reached by calling the toll-free number,1-800-550-8242. There is no charge by the USDA or TAHC for conducting a foreign animal disease investigation.